Nebraska Game and Parks commissioners have rejected a recommendation to create a mountain lion hunting season.

At a meeting Friday in Chadron, commissioners voted unanimously not to accept staff recommendation allowing mountain lion hunting. Commissioners directed wildlife staff to bring new recommendations to the July 26 commission meeting in Lincoln.

The Legislature approved a bill last year allowing for a mountain lion hunting season at the discretion of Game and Parks officials.

Officials say mountain lions all but vanished from Nebraska by 1890. The cats have been making a comeback in Nebraska’s northwest corner and have traveled as far east in the state as Omaha. The commission estimates the Pine Ridge area has a population of 22 animals.