40 2022 Annual Report
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Management
S t a t e ' s f i r s t r e g u l a t e d h a r v e s t
o f r i v e r o t t e r s a s u c c e s s
The recovery of river otters is a prime example of conservation success in Nebraska.
Once extirpated from the state, caused by over-harvest and habitat loss, wildlife biologists
and conservationists reintroduced river otters into Nebraska from 1986 to 1991. River
otters now can be found nearly statewide with populations in most major river systems.
Game and Parks' goal is to manage and maintain healthy, thriving populations for the
long term. The pilot season provided data about statewide river otter distribution, while
continuing to allow the population to expand.
A total of 78 river otters were tagged during Nebraska's first regulated harvest season.
The season opened on Nov. 1, 2021, and closed on Jan. 10, 2022, three days after the
season close trigger of 75 river otters was met. Otters were allowed to be harvested by
trapping only.
River otters,
near Lewellen
