OutdoorNebraska

2018 Annual Report • Nebraska Game and Parks Commission 31 P O T E N T I A L N E W S T A T E R E C O R D E L K H A R V E S T E D Trophy-sized elk aren't the goal of the Nebraska's elk management philosophy, but good-sized animals are an indicator of herd health and of the remarkable success of elk reestablishment to some of their historic native range. In 2018, 4,272 hunters applied for 350 total permits, setting all-time marks for both. Of the 350 total permits awarded, 119 allowed the harvest of a bull. One bull, a non-typical 9x9, should rank near the top of Nebraska's all-time charts once it is officially scored. Regardless of rank, it will mark the third straight year that a bull in Nebraska has topped the 400-inch mark. C O M M I S S I O N B E G I N S T H E P R O C E S S O F U P D A T I N G N E B R A S K A T H R E A T E N E D A N D E N D A N G E R E D S P E C I E S L I S T The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has the statutory responsibility of administering Nebraska's Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act. One of the Commission's duties under the Act is to determine which species are endangered or threatened in the state. Revisions to the list of endangered and threatened species were last completed in 2000, and since then we have gained new information regarding the abundance, distribution, and imperilment status of the state's rare species. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is proposing the addition of two species to Nebraska's endangered list: Sicklefin Chub and Western Silvery Minnow. Game and Parks recommends that four species be added to our state threatened list: McCown's Longspur, Timber Rattlesnake, Flathead Chub, and Plains Minnow. Additionally, Game and Parks proposes removal of the North American River Otter from Nebraska's threatened list following successful reintroduction and conservation efforts for that species over the last 15 years. In 2018, hearings were held in Valentine, Ogallala and Kearney to gather public testimony on the proposed listing actions. More hearings are planned in other districts during 2019. Detailed information for each species, including peer-reviewed listing proposals, response to peer review, outlines of potential impacts, and scheduled public hearings, is available at OutdoorNebraska.gov/ListingAction. A FEMALE MOUNTAIN LION WALKS ACROSS A FALLEN TREE IN THE WOODLANDS ON THE EDGE OF THE MISSOURI RIVER IN SOUTHEASTERN NEBRASKA

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