Mountain lion season closed

Two adult male mountain lions were harvested March 16 during the Pine Ridge Unit Auxiliary Season, meeting the overall limit of 12 and closing the 2026 hunting season.

The Niobrara and Wildcat Hills units closed during Season 1.

In total, 18 mountain lions were harvested in the three units this year — the highest total ever for the state. A breakdown of the harvest by unit:

Pine Ridge (12 overall limit/6 female sublimit) — 12 harvests; Season 1: 5 females and 5 males harvested, closed during Auxiliary Season: 2 males harvested

Wildcat Hills (3 overall limit/2 female sublimit) — 3 harvests; closed during Season 1: 1 male and 2 females harvested

Niobrara Unit (6 overall limit/3 female sublimit) — 3 harvests; closed during Season 1: 3 females harvested

An Auxiliary Season took place in the Pine Ridge Unit because the harvest limit of 12, or female sublimit of six, was not reached during Season 1.

To read about mountain lions in Nebraska, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov.