VALENTINE, Neb. — Nebraska Game and Parks estimates about 34 mountain lions live in the Niobrara Unit as the state prepares for the January mountain lion hunting season.

The Niobrara Unit spans a wide area of north-central Nebraska, stretching east to west from around Gordon to Spencer and north to south from the South Dakota border to Ainsworth.

Based on the population estimate, Game and Parks increased the harvest limit in the unit to six mountain lions, or three females. Last season’s limit was four lions, including no more than two females.

As previously reported by News Channel Nebraska, the 2025 mountain lion season in the Niobrara Unit closed within a single day after hunters reached the limit. The harvest included two uncollared females and one collared male.

While mountain lion harvest wrapped up quickly in the unit, statewide deer harvest numbers declined during the November firearm season.

“The disparity between the have’s and have not’s in the deer world is the greatest it’s ever been in the state,” said Luke Meduna, Nebraska Game and Parks’ big game program manager. “It about went as we expected.”

Preliminary data from the 2025 November firearm deer season shows the statewide harvest fell 7% compared to 2024, dropping from 28,056 deer last year to 26,029 this year.

Game and Parks officials say the lower harvest was anticipated due to reduced deer populations following years of drought, harsh winters and disease outbreaks. Permit numbers have also been cut in recent years to support herd recovery.

“It’s important to remember herd recovery takes time,” Meduna said. “We’ve taken action to help our deer populations rebound. We’ve reduced antlerless tags 64% over the last five years and buck permit sales have been reduced more than 15% — but we have a way to go before we get back to where we want to be.”