The Nebraska hunting season is renewed every year. Are you ready to get your game on in Nebraska? Nebraska is a precious place when it comes to hunting, especially for deer hunting, with whitetail deer, mule deer and elk roaming the land. Besides this, there are more you can do in this wonderful land.
You can also hunt big game, wild turkeys, upland game, waterfowl, and even small game. There’s something for everyone, no matter for professional hunter or a newbie. With over 1.2 million acres of public hunting lands at your disposal, you’ll have plenty of space to immerse yourself in Nebraska.
In this article, we’ll cover all the details of the Nebraska Hunting Seasons with dates and regulations. So, stay tuned and get ready for an exciting hunting experience in Nebraska this year!
Nebraska Deer Season
| Hunting Season | Dates |
| Archery | Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2025 |
| Special Landowner | Nov. 8 – Nov. 10, 2025 |
| November firearm | Nov. 15 – Nov. 23, 2025 |
| Muzzleloader | Dec. 1 – Dec. 31, 2025 |
| October River Antlerless Firearm | Oct. 1 – Oct. 15, 2025 |
| River Antlerless Late Firearm | Jan. 1 – Jan. 15, 2026 |
| Antlerless Only Season Choice | Sept. 1, 2025-Jan. 15, 2026 |
| Limited Landowner | Sept. 1, 2025-Jan. 15, 2026 |
| Late Antlerless Only Firearm | Jan. 1 – Jan. 15, 2026 |
Bag limits: 2 deer
Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset
*Note: To hunt deer in Nebraska, both resident and non-resident hunters will need to apply for the application for big game draw. The application date is June 2 – 13, 2025, and it costs $7.
Draw results will be available on or before June 20, and hunters who have been selected will be notified by email.
If you are successfully selected by the lottery drawing, you can buy a deer permit online, in person at a Game and Parks office, or via mail on July 10.
Nebraska Deer Hunting Regulations
General Hunting Rules
- Deer hunters in Nebraska need a Statewide or Unit Deer Permit and a Habitat stamp to hunt.
- Residents who hold a 64-and-older veteran or 69-and-older senior permit do not need to buy a habitat stamp to hunt deer. But they must carry their 64-and-older veteran or 69-and-older senior permit while hunting.
- All hunters, including those aged 16 and older and non-residents, must carry their permit while hunting.
- It is unlawful to transfer a permit to another person.
- The minimum age to hunt deer in Nebraska is 10 years old.
- Hunters need permission from the landowner to hunt on private property.
- When hunting deer with a firearm permit during the authorized season, you must wear at least 400 square inches of bright hunter orange material on your head, chest, and back to make it easier for others to see you.
- You can’t use any gadgets that amplify natural light or project a beam of light to aim at your target, like night-vision or infrared scopes, or laser sights. Red-dot and illuminated reticle sights are okay.
- Don’t hunt big game or turkeys within 200 yards of a baited area.
- If you hunt deer in November, you need to take it to a check station before 1 p.m. on the day after the season ends before leaving the state.
- As soon as you shoot a deer, you need to tag it right away.
- It’s illegal to spot or track game animals or birds with the help of an aircraft (or drones) before or during the hunting season.
Unlawful Hunting Methods
- ❌Don’t hunt deer from a moving vehicle or boat. You can’t use a snowmobile or other vehicle to hunt either.
- ❌Don’t shoot from the right-of-way of a public road.
- ❌Don’t carry a firearm on a snowmobile unless it’s unloaded and in a case.
- ❌Don’t hunt from or with a snowmobile.
- ❌Don’t use a spotlight or other artificial light from a vehicle or vessel while holding a firearm, crossbow, or bow and arrow.
- ❌Don’t use a night-vision scope while hunting game animals and game birds.
- ❌Don’t use two-way radios, cell phones, or any other electronic devices to share information about the location of any game animal or game bird while in a vehicle, aircraft, boat, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, or any other conveyance.
Remember, following these rules helps ensure a safe and enjoyable hunting experience for everyone!
Nebraska offers a diverse range of hunting opportunities throughout the year, beyond just deer. In case you also want to explore other games in Nebraska, we will also cover season dates for other big games and small games. Keep reading.
Nebraska Big Game Seasons
Antelope Season
| Hunting Season | Dates |
| Antelope | |
| Archery | Aug. 20 – Dec. 31, 2025 |
| Muzzleloader | Sept. 20 – Oct. 5, 2025 |
| Firearm | Oct. 11 – Oct. 26, 2025 |
| November late doe/fawn | Nov. 1, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026 |
Elk Season
| Archery bull | Sept. 1 – Oct. 31, 2025 |
| Firearm bull | Sept. 21 – Oct. 31, 2025 |
| Early Antlerless | Aug. 1 – Oct. 31, 2025 |
| Late Antlerless | Nov. 1, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026 |
Bighorn Sheep Season
Season Dates: March 1 – 31, 2025 and Dec. 2 – Dec. 22, 2025
Turkey Season
| Hunting Season | Dates |
| Spring archery | March 25 – May 31, 2025 |
| Spring youth shotgun | April 5 – May 31, 2025 |
| Spring shotgun | April 12 – May 31, 2025 |
| Fall youth archery and shotgun | Oct. 1 – Nov. 30, 2025 |
| Fall archery and shotgun | Oct. 1 – Nov. 30, 2025 |
Mountain Lion Season
Season 1: January 2 – January 19, 2025
Season 2: March 15 – 31, 2025
Nebraska Game Bird Seasons
Upland Birds Seasons
Pheasant, quail, and partridge: Oct. 25, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026
Prairie Grouse: Sept. 1, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026
Youth pheasant, quail and partridge: Oct. 18 – 19, 2025
| Species | Daily Limit | Possession Limit |
| Pheasant | 6 | 24 |
| Quail | 3 | 12 |
| Prairie Gouse | 3 | 3(east zone); 12(west zone) |
| Partridge | 3 | 12 |
| Youth Pheasant, Quail and Partridge | 2 | 4 |
Webless Migratory Birds Seasons
Dove: Sept. 1 – Oct. 30, 2025
Eurasian collared-dove (not including mourning and white-winged): Year-round
Snipe: Sept. 1 –Dec. 16, 2025
Rail: Sept. 1 – Nov. 9, 2025
Woodcock: Oct. 4 – Nov. 17, 2025
Crow: Oct. 11 – Dec. 11, 2025; Jan. 10 – Mar. 12, 2026
| Species | Daily Limit | Possession Limit |
| Dove | 15 | 45 |
| Snipe | 8 | 24 |
| Rail | 10 | 30 |
| Woodcock | 3 | 9 |
| Crow | No limit | No limit |
Game Birds Hunting Regulations
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Hunter Orange: You’re not required to wear hunter orange, but it’s strongly recommended for safety.
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Hunter Education: If you’re between 12 and 29 years old, you must complete firearm or bowhunter education, depending on what you hunt with.
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Legal Weapons: You can use archery equipment, crossbows, or shotguns (10-gauge or smaller).
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Illegal Weapons: Rifles, pistols, swivel guns, traps, snares, and nets are not allowed.
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Bird ID Rules: If you harvest pheasant or grouse, leave the head or one leg attached so the species can be identified.
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Bag Limits: Only take as many birds as your permit allows—no exceptions.
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No Live Decoys: Using live birds to attract game is strictly forbidden.
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No Vehicle Hunting: You can’t hunt from a car, truck, ATV, or any vehicle.
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No Baiting: It’s illegal to use food (like grain or seeds) to lure birds.
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Don’t Waste Game: All game birds taken must be used. Selling or trading the meat is also not allowed.
Waterfowl Hunting Seasons
| Species | Areas | Dates | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
| Dark Goose | North Central unit | Oct. 4, 2025 – Jan. 16, 2026 | 5 | 15 |
| Platte River unit | Oct. 28, 2025 – Feb. 9, 2026 | |||
| Niobrara unit | Oct. 28, 2025 – Feb. 9, 2026 | |||
| White-fronted Goose | Statewide | Oct. 4 – Dec. 14, 2025 | 2 | 6 |
| Jan. 25 – Feb. 9, 2026 | ||||
| Light Goose | Statewide | Oct. 4 – Dec. 31, 2025 | 50 | None |
| Jan. 25 – Feb. 9, 2026 | ||||
| Light Goose Conservation Order | East zone | Feb. 10 – April 15, 2026 | None | None |
| West zone | Feb. 10 – April 5, 2026 | |||
| Rainwater Basin zone | Feb. 10 – April 5, 2026 | |||
| Early Teal | Low plains | Sept. 6 – 14, 2025 | 6 | 18 |
| High plains | Sept. 6 – 14, 2025 | |||
| Duck and Coot | Zone 1 | Oct. 11 – Dec. 23, 2025 | Tier 1: 6 ducks
Tier 2: 3 ducks, any species, any sex |
Tier 1: 18 ducks
Tier 2: 9 ducks, any species, any sex |
| Zone 2 | Oct. 4 – Dec. 16, 2025 Jan. 7 – 28, 2026 (High Plains portion) |
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| Zone 3 (High Plains) | Oct. 25, 2025 – Jan. 6, 2026 Jan. 7 – 28, 2026 |
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| Zone 4 | Oct. 25, 2025 – Jan. 6, 2026 | |||
| Youth, Veteran & Active-Duty Military | Zone 1 | Oct. 4 – 5, 2025 | Tier 1: 6 ducks
Tier 2: 3 ducks, any species, any sex |
Tier 1: 18 ducks
Tier 2: 9 ducks, any species, any sex |
| Zone 2 | Sept. 27 – 28, 2025 | |||
| Zone 3 | Oct. 18 – 19, 2025 | |||
| Zone 4 | Oct. 18 – 19, 2025 |
*🔔What are the Tier 1 and Tier 2 limits for duck hunting? In Nebraska’s new duck hunting program, there are two categories called “tiers” that hunters can choose from when they apply for their Harvest Information Program (HIP) number.
Different tiers have their own limits on how many ducks you can harvest daily and in total. There may also be specific rules about what types or sex of ducks you can hunt.
Small Games Seasons
Squirrel: Aug. 1, 2025 – Jan. 31, 2026
Cottontail: Sept. 1, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026
Jackrabbit: Sept. 1, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026
Furbearer Hunting Seasons
| Species | Method | Dates |
| Muskrat, Beaver | Trap only | Nov. 1, 2025 – Mar. 31, 2026 |
| Badger | Hunt and trap | Nov. 1, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026 |
| Mink | Hunt and trap | Nov. 1, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026 |
| Bobcat | Hunt and trap | Dec. 1, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026 |
| Running; no harvest | Mar. 1, 2025 – Nov. 30, 2025 | |
| Raccoon | Hunt only | Sept. 1 – Oct. 31, 2025 |
| Hunt and trap | Nov. 1, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026 | |
| Running; no harvest | Mar. 1, 2025 – Aug. 17, 2025 | |
| Virginia Opossum | Hunt only | Sept. 1 – Oct. 31, 2025 |
| Hunt and trap | Nov. 1, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026 | |
| Running; no harvest | Mar. 1 – Aug. 17, 2025 | |
| Striped Skunk | Hunt and trap | Year-round |
| Long-tailed Weasel | Hunt and trap | Nov. 1, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026 |
| Red Fox | Hunt and trap | Nov. 1, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026 |
| Running; no harvest | Mar. 1, 2025 – Oct. 31, 2025 | |
| Gray Fox | Hunt and trap | Nov. 1, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026 |
| River Otter | Trap only | Nov. 1, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026 |
Nebraska Hunting License And Permits
How much does a Nebraska hunting license cost?
| Permits Types | Fees |
| Resident Annual Hunt | $18.00 |
| 3YR Resident Hunt All State Stamps | $123.50 |
| 5YR Resident Hunt All State Stamps | $181.00 |
| Deer Permit | $37.00 |
| Resident Annual Fur Harvest | $18.00 |
| Resident Lifetime (age 16-45) Fur Harvest | $302.00 |
| Habitat Stamp | $25.00 |
| Waterfowl Stamp | $10.00 |
| Federal Duck Stamp | $32.00 |
| Permits Types | Fees |
| Non-Resident Annual Hunt | $109.00 |
| Non-Resident Youth Annual Hunt | $18.00 |
| Non-Resident 2-Day Hunt | $76.00 |
| 3YR Non-Resident Hunt All State Stamps | $371.50 |
| Deer Permit | $335.00 |
| Waterfowl Stamp | $10.00 |
| Federal Duck Stamp | $32.00 |
Where to buy a hunting license?
You can purchase your permit through the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission website or at a vendor approved by the state.
How to get a state hunting license?
To get a hunting license in Nebraska, you’ll need to take a hunter education course and choose the right permit type depending on your age and residency status.
How many types of Nebraska hunting permits?
Resident and nonresident Permit: All Nebraska residents age 16 or older, and all non-residents must have a resident hunting permit and must purchase the Habitat Stamp.
Youth Hunting Permit: If you’re 15 or under, you don’t need a permit to hunt in Nebraska. But if you’re a non-resident who’s 15 or under, you’ll need both the Youth Hunt Permit and the Habitat Stamp.
Senior Hunting Permit: If you’re 69 or older, you’re eligible for a reduced-fee Senior Annual Small Game Hunt/Fish Permit. This includes the Nebraska Habitat Stamp and Waterfowl Stamp.
Military and Veteran Permit: If you’re an active-duty military member stationed in Nebraska for at least 30 days or if you’re a Nebraska resident who’s stationed elsewhere, you can purchase a resident hunting permit.
How long will the permit and hunting license expire?
Hunting permits and stamps are only valid for the current calendar year in Nebraska. But you can buy a lifetime license, no matter you are resident or not.
Where to Hunt In Nebraska?
Nebraska boasts over 1.2 million acres of publicly accessible hunting lands, including:
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Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) – Open to all hunters during appropriate seasons
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Open Fields and Waters (OFW) – Privately owned but publicly accessible through agreements with Nebraska Game and Parks
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National Forests – Like Nebraska National Forest and Samuel R. McKelvie NF
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Special Use Areas – Such as state parks with managed hunts
- Private Lands: Most hunting and trapping activities are conducted in these areas. But remember to get permission from the landowners first.
📍To find any public lands for hunting in Nebraska, you can check the viewable maps to get all the information:
Conclusion
In summary, if you are planning to hunt games in Nebraska, you should stay updated with the 2024 deer season dates and rules in order to have a successful and enjoyable hunting experience. By understanding the regulations and planning accordingly, every hunter can maximize their chances of success.
Read our post to stay informed about any updates or additional guidelines for Nebraska’s big game or small game seasons, and be sure to stay tuned. Get ready for an exciting and memorable deer hunting season in Nebraska!
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