OutdoorNebraska

2017 Annual Report 35 N E B R A S K A M O U N T A I N L I O N M A N A G E M E N T P L A N The Nebraska Mountain Lion Management Plan, approved by the Commission in October, will guide management decisions based on our agency mission through the management goals and guiding principles stated in the plan. The plan's overall goal is to maintain resilient, healthy, and socially acceptable mountain lion populations that are in balance with available habitat and other wildlife species over the long term. The Nebraska Mountain Lion Management Plan will provide guidance for any management decisions regarding future harvest seasons. Game and Parks recognizes mountain lions are an important component of Nebraska's native biodiversity that have intrinsic value, as well as recreational value to hunters and non-consumptive users. We will monitor mountain lion populations through ongoing research and use regulated harvest as a primary strategy for meeting management goals and objectives when possible. This plan is meant to be dynamic and may be revised periodically as new information becomes available and mountain lion populations, distribution, and public acceptance change over time. S E P T E M B E R T E A L S E A S O N N O W A P P R O V E D S T A T E W I D E I N N E B R A S K A The Central Flyway Council and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) granted Game and Parks to conduct an experimental early teal season in northern Nebraska beginning in September 2014. The southern portion of Nebraska had been granted a September season after evaluation in 2004. Continuation of the season in northern Nebraska was dependent on hunters correctly identifying and not shooting at or harvesting non- target species. Evaluation of impacts on non-target species was assessed primarily through overt or covert hunter performance observations, such as spy blinds. The initial three-year experimental period was extended one year to achieve sample size requirements for spy blinds. The non-target attempt and kill rates were far below USFWS criteria. Meeting these criteria allows the September teal season to become operational in the northern portion of Nebraska. COUGAR AT METCALF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA IN SHERIDAN COUNTY.

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