LINCOLN, Neb. –-(Ammoland.com)- The Nebraska Game and Parks Board of Commissioners authorized one lottery and one auction bighorn sheep permit for 2015 at their meeting in Scottsbluff on Oct. 23.
The lottery permit is for residents only, while the auction permit is available to residents and nonresidents.
The last time the state approved two bighorn permits in one year was 2011. There is one lottery permit this year for the Dec. 2-22 season.
Staff reported that of the approximately 390 bighorn sheep in the state, 29 rams in four established herds are at or near the desired age for hunting. Staff will assess ram availability and age structure in the four herds next summer and then decide which areas the permit holders will be allowed to hunt.
The commissioners also:
— Added Chat Canyon WMA in Cherry County to the list of wildlife areas with area-specific regulations.
— Approved the acquisition of 1,007-acre Jacobson Tract in Banner County and designated it Williams Wildlife Management Area. This area, located 10 miles southeast of Scottsbluff, is in the heart of bighorn sheep habitat and is home to the Hubbard’s Gap herd. The tract not only provides critical lambing and escape habitat for bighorns, it will provide hunting opportunities for white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk and turkey.
— Approved the acquisition of 1,225-acre Hastings Tract in Knox County and designated it Niobrara Confluence Wildlife Management Area. This area, located 3 miles northwest of Niobrara, is situated at the confluence of the Missouri and Niobrara rivers and adjoins Niobrara State Park. It will offer fishing access, trapping and hunting opportunities for waterfowl, deer and turkey.
— Approved an easement to the Scotts Bluff County Sanitation Improvement District No. 10 on Wildcat Hills WMA in order to expand a well house.
— Heard a staff update on the 2014 elk harvest through Oct. 20. Ninety bulls and 42 cows/calves had been taken. There have been 309 permits authorized for the season.
— Heard a staff update on the fish and wildlife report recently completed for the Niobrara River.
— Heard a staff update on mountain lion research.
— Heard a presentation from the City of Valentine about changing a lease Game and Parks has with the city on land near the Valentine Fish Hatchery.