A Nebraska man took matters in his own hands after discovering a female mountain lion killing his chickens.
After the landowner near Hay Springs observed the mountain lion killing his chickens, he shot and killed the 10- to 12-month-old, and immediately reported it to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in accordance with state law.
“State law allows livestock owners to kill a mountain lion immediately if it is in the process of stalking, killing, or consuming livestock on their property,” said Sam Wilson, carnivore program manager for the Commission.
This is the fifth confirmed case of livestock depredation in Nebraska by a mountain lion since the species’ confirmed presence in the state in 1991. In addition to the latest case, the confirmations consist of a calf in Blaine County in 2014, a calf in Sheridan County in 2017, two goats in Dawes County in 2017, and one goat in Dawes County last month.
In June, Nebraska Game and Parks commissioners approved a hunting season for mountain lions in the Pine Ridge that aims to lower mountain lion densities – a response to public concerns and Commission research. The season is scheduled Jan. 1 to Feb. 28, 2019.
