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Nebraska LB 127 comments needed by 2/26/15

February 25, 2015/in News

NEBRASKA

LB 127 – Eliminate Provisions Relating to Hunting Mountain Lions

On January 9, 2015, Nebraska Senator Ernie Chambers introduced LB 127, a bill that would eliminate provisions related to mountain lion hunting and repeal the authority of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to hold a mountain lion hunting season. While the Game and Parks Commission voted against holding a 2015 season, citing a lack of information and research, the intent of the Commission is to resume hunting of mountain lions in the future. LB 127 would prevent future hunting seasons.

The bill is scheduled for hearing and discussion on February 26, 2015. Please use the form below to contact the Nebraska Legislature Natural Resources Committee and politely let them know you support LB 127. The form is addressed to the Committee members and will automatically sign your first name, last name, and location (this is required for your comment to be considered). All you need to do is enter a short message explaining why you support LB 127. Consider including one or more of the talking points listed below the contact form in your message.

 

[contact-form-7 id=”3931″ title=”Advocacy Form (currently Nebraska contacts)”]

KEY TALKING POINTS:

  • In 2014, 16 mountain lions were killed in Nebraska, likely a significant percentage of the state’s population, which had been estimated to be between 15 and 22 in the known breeding population in the Pine Ridge Region. More noteworthy, however, is the fact that 10 of the 16 documented mortalities were females. Given that female mountain lions are pregnant or raising kittens for nearly 75% of their lives, one could infer that 7-8 of these females had dependent young. Orphaning is not palatable to managers, hunters, or non-consumptive users, yet it undoubtedly occurs when mountain lions are subjected to sport hunting.
  • Research by prominent carnivore biologist Dr. Robert Wielgus of Washington State University found that high rates of mountain lion harvest resulted in increased complaints and conflict. These findings are being supported by emerging research in other states, too. As hunters remove older, trophy-sized lions from the population, inexperienced juveniles who are more prone to conflict with humans often replace these “well behaved” adults. The high rate of harvest in Nebraska in 2014 could be responsible for the frequency of mountain lion sightings in outlier areas.
  • The safety of people, pets, and livestock is best ensured through education, conflict prevention, and effective emergency response plans. In states like Wyoming, Colorado and Washington (where the lion populations are far larger than in Nebraska), managers have successfully reduced cougar-human complaints and conflict by expanding outreach efforts and developing emergency response programs that target problem cats. Random culling via sport hunting will not make Nebraskans safer.
  • Current best available science by Dr. Hillary Cooley (USFWS – Idaho), Dr. Eric Gese (USDA/APHIS – Utah), and a number of other researchers indicates that even extremely high harvest of predators has little long-term benefit for recovery of ungulate populations (the major culprit remains habitat loss –historic numbers require historic forage). Hunting the few mountain lions that are present in Nebraska will not improve the states’ ungulate populations.
  • Many other states are able to accommodate and even celebrate the presence of mountain lions. Nebraska and Florida are facing similar situations as they choose protocols for managing small and relatively new lion populations. Florida, with human inhabitants numbering nearly 20 million, have a panther population of roughly 180 mountain lions that is afforded Endangered Species Act protections due to its small size and concerns over genetic diversity. Nebraska has less than 2 million people and less than 30 cougars. Targeted removal of ‘problem’ animals has always been the available safety mechanism in Nebraska by citizens and authorities alike. How then can Nebraska justify sport hunting of this tiny lion population?
https://cougarfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CougarFundBlack.png 0 0 Penny https://cougarfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CougarFundBlack.png Penny2015-02-25 16:16:312015-02-25 16:16:31Nebraska LB 127 comments needed by 2/26/15

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An important new study adds to the body of evidence being amassed by researchers that supports the important ecological contributions of cougars as a keystone species. A direct quote in the article from Panthera's Puma Program Director Mark Elbroch as follows, "To those who care for the well-being of wildlife and the wild habitats sustaining all living beings, these findings yet again demonstrate the value and need to conserve the Americas' pumas." ... See MoreSee Less

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Study suggests pumas utilize sly strategy of fertilizing plants that recruit prey to hunting grounds

phys.org

A new Panthera study published today in Landscape Ecology has found that pumas might utilize a sly hunting strategy known as 'garden to hunt,' by which puma kills fertilize or deposit nutrients in soi...
3 days ago
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Remember all the things you did before they went into the den?BEAR SPRAY, MAKE NOISE, RECREATE IN GROUPS, FOOD STORAGE PRECAUTIONS, and be aware that energy out is very expensive for a bear after not eating for a few months so if there is a trail or winter track, that is probably the route the bear will choose...
Lets protect them by minding our own behaviour!

Remember all the things you did before they went into the den?BEAR SPRAY, MAKE NOISE, RECREATE IN GROUPS, FOOD STORAGE PRECAUTIONS, and be aware that energy out is very expensive for a bear after not eating for a few months so if there is a trail or winter track, that is probably the route the bear will choose...
Let's protect them by minding our own behaviour!(News Release) On Tuesday, March 7, a Yellowstone National Park wildlife biologist on a radio telemetry flight observed the first grizzly bear of 2023 to emerge from hibernation. The adult bear, estimated at 300-350 pounds, was seen near the remains of a bison carcass in Pelican Valley, in the central-eastern part of the park.

The first bear sighting of 2022 also occurred on March 7.

Male grizzlies come out of hibernation in early March. Females with cubs emerge in April and early May. When bears emerge from hibernation, they look for food and often feed on elk and bison that died over the winter. Sometimes, bears will react aggressively to encounters with people when feeding on carcasses.

“Spring visitors skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking in Yellowstone National Park are reminded to carry bear spray and be especially alert for bears near carcasses and areas with early spring green-up. These are the first foods sought out by grizzlies after emerging from hibernations,” said Kerry Gunther, the park's bear management biologist.

All of Yellowstone National Park is bear country: from the deepest backcountry to the boardwalks around Old Faithful. The park restricts certain visitor activities in locations where there is a high density of bears, along with elk and bison carcasses. Restrictions will begin in some bear management areas on March 10.

Learn more about how to protect yourself and the bears that people come here to enjoy: go.nps.gov/23006
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3 weeks ago
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I'm in the Southern Sangre de Cristo mountains. It's been a mild winter, very little snow, so I'm betting the Black Bears will be popping out soon.

I would love to see a bear. (From a safe distance for both of us, of course).

Better yet, don't stop being responsible in the wilderness under a false sense of security provided by pop-media ideas that they're in comas underground. Bears experience wakefulness during their supposed hibernation, and especially during periods of warmer weather they will come out for snacks.

Please protect our bear’s from Stupid people!!!!

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PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS!
UTAH WILDLIFE CONSERVATION EMERGENCY
A couple of days ago we a shared delightful national article about cutting edge studies of cougars in Utah. Today those cougars need your help. HB469 will remove management of mountain lions from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and allow them to be HUNTED and TRAPPED year round without limit or regulation. HB469 passed without notice or opportunity for public comment. Wildlife is held in trust for ALL the public, not a few special interest groups. Elected officials also represent more than a few stakeholders and need to seek advice from seasoned researchers and scientists before making decisions about wildlife. Please POLITELY ask Governor Cox at 801-538-1000 to not sign HB469, currently on his desk. or email cs.utah.gov/s/submit
The video below was shared by Denise and the crew of @Utah Mountain Lion Conservation who are working tirelessly to study and protect lions and ensure their place as a keystone species in Utah.
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4 weeks ago
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Congratulations to Denise Peterson, dedicated to mountain lions, and to sharing the results of her hard work.
Thank you Denise!
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Trail Camera Catches Something Conservationists Have Been Dying To See

www.msn.com

Denise M. Peterson had been waiting months for this. Ever since Peterson, founder of the Utah Mountain Lion Conservation, noticed a female and male mountain lion roaming the area together, she'd been ...
1 month ago
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Thanks! I can't wait to get back up to check these cams to see how they're doing!

I saw this on The Dodo this morning. A mom with two kittens!

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