The 2023 mountain lion hunting season in Nebraska’s Pine Ridge closed Jan. 8 when the harvest sublimit of two females was met.

The season opened Jan. 2. Excellent snow tracking conditions likely helped hunters find success during the season.

In accordance with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s management objective, the harvest of mountain lions allows the population to remain resilient and healthy, while halting growth or moderately reducing the population size.

“This maintains the population density in the Pine Ridge at a similar level to that of other states that allow mountain lion hunting,” said Sam Wilson, carnivore and furbearer program manager for Game and Parks.

It was the state’s sixth mountain lion harvest season; the first was in 2014.

For more information about mountain lions in Nebraska, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/mountainlions.

Nebraska state parks featured again in second season of RV reality show

They had to come back. Join hosts Kevin and Patrice McCabe as they return to Nebraska’s state parks for an episode of RV There Yet?, a Discovery Channel reality show now in its second season.

This time, the couple headed to northeast Nebraska, making stops at Niobrara State Park, Smith Falls State Park and the Cowboy Trail. During their stay, they enjoyed a sunrise on horseback at Niobrara State Park, stood under the spray of Nebraska’s tallest waterfall at Smith Falls State Park, and took in river vistas from a bridge on the Cowboy Trail.

Patrice, a Nebraska native, cherished her time in her home state. “I was homesick for Nebraska before we even pulled out of camp,” she said. “I cannot begin to express how thankful I am for the opportunity to explore, learn, and ultimately share the natural beauty and rich history that is my home state of Nebraska.”

The second season of RV There Yet? features other fun stops across the country, including the Georgia mountains, Pensacola Beach and an orchard in Maine. The couple hikes, camps and tastes their way across the country, meeting new people, learning history, creating memories and inspiring viewers to plan their next RV adventure.

The Nebraska episode will air on the Discovery Channel on Jan. 21 and March 18 at 7 a.m. Central Time. The show, which began its second season Dec. 31, is also available to view on the DiscoveryGo app, Amazon Prime, ROKU, SlingTV, fuboTV, Facebook and YouTube. To learn more, visit RVThereYetTV.com.

Explore Nebraska’s parks featured in the show at OutdoorNebraska.org.

Help stop wildlife crime with new reporting tool

Helping law enforcement eliminate poaching in Nebraska just got a little easier, thanks to a new program by Nebraska Game and Parks.

The new online reporting tool allows people to anonymously report suspected wildlife violations through a form at OutdoorNebraska.gov/WildlifeCrimestoppers. People can submit photos and even indicate if they are interested in a reward if charges are filed because of their tip.

Once submitted, the report goes directly to the conservation officer in the county where the incident is suspected.

“With this form, we’ll be able to utilize technology in new ways to collect and forward more accurate and timely information to our conservation officers to assist with their investigations,” said Travis Shepler, Law Enforcement assistant division administrator, who created the new tool.

While the digital form is the preferred method to report, people may still report game or fish violations via the toll-free Nebraska Wildlife Crimestoppers hotline at 800-742-7627 or by contacting their nearest conservation officer. Find yours at OutdoorNebraska.gov/ConservationOfficers.

Nebraska Wildlife Crimestoppers is a cooperative wildlife law enforcement program sponsored by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Nebraska Wildlife Protectors Association.

Commissioners to consider funding for community outdoor projects

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider awarding funds for community outdoor projects when it meets Jan. 20 in Lincoln.

Commissioners will consider staff recommendations to approve grants for the Land and Water Conservation Fund Stateside Assistance Program and outdoor trail projects for federal funding through the Recreational Trails Program.

The meeting will start at 8 a.m. at Commission headquarters, 2200 N. 33rd St.

Also on the agenda are staff recommendations to:

  • Commissioners will consider proposed boating regulation changes to waters with special restrictions, regarding the addition and deletion of various waters that have special regulations regarding the type of vessels allowed to operate on those waters. Learn more by reading the Public Hearing Notice at OutdoorNebraska.gov/publicnoticess.
  • approve an acquisition of approximately 145 acres from the Nebraska Department of Transportation in Hall County adjacent to Mormon Island State Recreation Area and designate it an addition to the SRA.
  • approve an acquisition of approximately 75.38 acres from the Nebraska Department of Transportation in Dawson County designate it Willow Island Wildlife Management Area. Staff also recommends transferring back to NDOT the following properties originally deeded to Game and Parks by NDOT: Big Springs WMA, Bittersweet WMA, Blue Heron WMA, Cattail WMA, East Cozad WMA, East Darr WMA, Overton WMA, the north portion of West Hershey WMA, and the southwest portion of West Maxwell WMA.

Commissioners also will elect officers for the year, hear updates on parks and fisheries projects, and hear a review of the depredation program.

See the full meeting agenda at OutdoorNebraska.gov/publicnotices.