This bill amends Nebraska's Game Law to introduce the issuance of limited mountain lion permits, expanding the current permit system that includes deer, antelope, wild turkey, and elk. Specifically, it allows qualifying landowners or leaseholders, as well as their immediate family members, to apply for these permits under certain conditions. The bill outlines the eligibility criteria for applicants, which include ownership or leasing of a specified amount of agricultural land, and establishes that the qualifying land must be within designated mountain lion management zones. Additionally, the commission is authorized to give preference to applicants who have not received a limited mountain lion permit in previous years.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that the issuance of limited mountain lion permits in any management unit shall not exceed seventy-five percent of the regular permits authorized for that unit, mirroring the existing regulations for antelope and elk permits. The application fee for resident landowners seeking a limited mountain lion permit is set at no more than half the fee for a regular permit. The bill also repeals the original sections of the law that are being amended, ensuring a streamlined and updated regulatory framework for managing mountain lion hunting in Nebraska.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 37-455, 37-456