The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider recommendations for 2023 wild turkey hunting seasons at its June 17 meeting in Lexington.
The meeting begins at 8 a.m. Central time at the Holiday Inn Express.
Turkey populations in Nebraska have declined 45% since their peak between 2008 to 2010. Because of that, staff will recommend changes to regulations and orders that include reducing the spring season personal permit limit from three to two, lowering the fall bag limit from two to one, shortening the fall season to Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, and requiring all turkeys be checked via phone or internet beginning with the Spring 2023 season.
Staff also will recommend a mountain lion season in the Pine Ridge similar to 2022, with a maximum harvest of four cats, with a sublimit of two females. The number of permits issued via lottery will be recommended to be lowered from 320 to 200 for the 2023 season.
The Commission also will consider approving a 2022 river otter trapping season. The proposed season would be Nov. 1, 2022, through Feb. 28, 2023, or close earlier once 125 otters have been harvested, all other checking requirements will remain the same as last year.
Additionally, the commissioners will consider changes to wildlife regulations that would:
* Clarify language to allow elk hunters to hunt with a centerfire rifle during the November firearm deer season.
* Allow antelope taken during the October firearm season to be checked in via telephone or internet.
In other business, staff will recommend changes to sportfishing regulations that would make it legal to possess and transport live grass carp and amend the list of water bodies where live baitfish may be possessed or used.