NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Despite recent years of poor bighorn sheep lamb survival in the Pine Ridge, Nebraska has enough older rams to continue an annual, limited hunting season.
Nebraska Game and Parks commissioners meeting Thursday in North Platte approved a bighorn season for 2018. It authorized one auction and one lottery permit.
In addition, Frank Nemeth of Chadron won the drawing for the 2017 bighorn lottery permit. There were 2,754 applications in the lottery. Each paid $25 for a chance. The season is Nov. 28 to Dec. 22.
The state has about nine rams older than 8½ years and about 12 between 6½ and 7½ years.
The commission has permitted hunts for 21 bighorns since 1998 with 100 percent success. Funds raised by the lottery and auction permits are used to support the bighorn program.
