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McCook Gazette

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Editorial

Does Nebraska really need a mountain lion season?

Monday, February 3, 2014

We have to wonder why a state senator from Omaha would be concerned about something that goes on the the farthest reaches of the state, but that's before we are reminded that it's Sen. Ernie Chambers, who takes delight in tweaking the nose of the Nebraska establishment.

The latest is his bill to repeal a 2012 law, passed while Chambers was on a term-limit-imposed hiatus from the Legislature, which allows the Game and parks Commission to issue mountain lion hunting permits.

Mountain lions have been a controversial issue in Southwest Nebraska, where they were blamed for livestock deaths, but officials often attributed them to other predators.

Mountain lions lived in Nebraska before European settlers hunted and poisoned them out of existence here.

The wide-ranging animals have slowly re-established themselves, responding to the lead of the elk and the exploding population of deer.

Chambers argues that the new season isn't about hunting, but about eradicating mountain lions in the state again.

Opponents to Chambers' bill say the season provides Game and parks with a tool to control the mountain lion population, which numbers about 22 in the Pine Ridge area in Northwest Nebraska. There have been about 104 confirmed sightings outside the Pine Ridge, notably in Kearney and along the Missouri River.

Confirmed mountain lion sightings are rare in Southwest Nebraska, but it's said that hunters may have never seen a mountain lion, but a mountain lion has probably seen them.

We have yet to be convinced that Nebraska truly needs a hunting season for an animal as rare as mountain lions. An expanded deer season, however, is an entirely different matter.

What do you think about Chambers' bill?

Vote at mccookgazette.com

While they rarely interact with humans, it's not unreasonable to take precautions when venturing into the countryside, especially along rivers and in canyons with young children.

The Game and Parks Commission offers the following steps to take if you encounter one:

* Do not approach a mountain lion.

* Leave the animal an avenue of escape.

* Stay calm, move slowly.

* Back away safely if you can. Do not turn your back to the lion or start running.

* Raise your arms or backpack to appear larger.

* Lift up your children to prevent them from running.

* If you are being attacked fight back. Mountain lions have been successfully driven off with bare hands. Use rocks, or whatever you can get your hands on. Try to remain on your feet or get back up if knocked down.

Check out the NGPC mountain lion page here: http://1.usa.gov/1nIrmXe

Comments
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  • What does Ernie Chambers know about mountain lions, hunting or southwestern Nebraska?

    -- Posted by Diatheke on Mon, Feb 3, 2014, at 10:03 PM

  • Ernie is all about staying in the spotlight. The only good that he does is make sure that the rest of the legislature has their T's crossed and I's dotted.

    -- Posted by quick13 on Tue, Feb 4, 2014, at 9:33 AM

  • I am no expert on Mountain Lions but I tend to agree with Ernie Chambers here... Oh My Gosh - did I just say that!!

    Anyway I like the idea of having Lions back in this part of the country, Elk too. If we see an explosion of them then yes I could understand. Maybe they could relocate Lions from over populated areas to more outward territories and help the reintegration of the species to it's old hunting grounds and if they become too populated them I would be up for hunting them myself (but without dogs). I would love to see them running wild around here, that's the nature lover in me.

    I also know that ranchers are concerned with predation of their livestock but that is something that can be approached in several different ways.

    -- Posted by 314billl on Tue, Feb 4, 2014, at 10:33 AM

  • It's all about the money with the Nebraska Game and Parks. Look at how much is spent in a lottery to hunt a big horn sheep in the Cornhusker state. Spend some money out in this part of Nebraska Game and Parks instead of another million or 2 at Mahoney or Platte River State park in the Omaha/Lincoln area. Leave the mountain lions alone Game and Parks!

    -- Posted by regular guy on Wed, Feb 5, 2014, at 4:19 PM

  • Ranchers do not need mountain lions preying on their livestock. Ranchers have plenty enough troubles with coyotes. If the game and parks are even considering a hunting season on mountain lions then there are way too many of that species in the area. I suppose that these animals were released in our area in a way to control the deer populations. Unfortunately, a cat is a hunter of opportunity. What that means is they are more likely to attack and kill baby calf that can run 15 mph vs a deer that can run 30 mph. Every calf that is lost takes approx. $1000 out of the rancher's pocket which is $1000 less he will have to spend in town. We got rid of this species for a reason.

    -- Posted by quick13 on Thu, Feb 6, 2014, at 8:14 PM
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