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 hunters or newbies. 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 Deer Season with dates and regulations. So, stay tuned and get ready for an exciting hunting season in Nebraska this year!
Nebraska Deer Season
| Hunting Season | Dates |
| Archery | Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2024 |
| Special Landowner | Nov. 9 – Nov. 11, 2024 |
| November firearm | Nov. 16 – Nov. 24, 2024 |
| Muzzleloader | Dec. 1 – Dec. 31, 2024 |
| October River Antlerless Firearm | Oct. 1 – Oct. 15, 2024 |
| River Antlerless Late Firearm | Jan. 1 – Jan. 31, 2025 |
| Antlerless Only Season Choice | Sept. 1, 2024-Jan. 15, 2025 |
| Limited Landowner | Sept. 1, 2024-Jan. 15, 2025 |
| Late Antlerless Only Firearm | Jan. 1 – Jan. 15, 2025 |
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 3-14, 2024.
Draw results will be available on or before July 1 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 in 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!
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 Season
Antelope Season
| Hunting Season | Dates |
| Antelope | |
| Archery | Aug. 20 – Dec. 31, 2024 |
| Muzzleloader | Sept. 21 – Oct. 6, 2024 |
| Firearm | Oct. 12 – Oct. 27, 2023 |
| November late doe/fawn | Nov. 1, 2024 – Jan. 31, 2025 |
Elk Season
| Archery bull | Sept. 1 – Oct. 31, 2024 |
| Firearm bull | Sept. 21 – Oct. 31, 2024 |
| Early Antlerless | Aug. 1 – Oct. 31, 2024 |
| Late Antlerless | Nov. 1, 2023 – Jan. 31, 2025 |
Bighorn Sheep Season
Season Dates: Dec. 3 – Dec. 22, 2024
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 to February 29, 2024
Season 2: March 16-31, 2024
Nebraska Small Game Season
Upland Birds Seasons
Pheasant, quail, and partridge: Oct. 26, 2024 – Jan. 31, 2025
Prairie Grouse: Sept. 1, 2024 – Jan. 31, 2025
Youth pheasant, quail and partridge: Oct. 19 – 20, 2024
Webless Migratory Birds Seasons
Mourning, white-winged, and Eurasian collared-doves: Sept. 1 – Oct. 30, 2024
Eurasian collared-dove (only): Year-Round
Snipe: Sept. 1 – Dec. 16, 2024
Virginia and Sora rail: Sept. 1 – Nov. 9, 2024
Woodcock: Oct. 5 – Nov. 18, 2024
Crow: Oct. 12 – Dec. 12, 2024 and Jan. 11 – March 13, 2025
Other Small Games
Squirrel: Aug. 1, 2024 – Jan. 31, 2025
Cottontail: Sept. 1, 2024 – Feb. 28, 2025
Jackrabbit: Sept. 1, 2024 – Feb. 28, 2025
Nebraska Hunting License And Permits
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 nonresidents 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 residents or not.
Where to hunt in Nebraska?
To find any public lands for hunting in Nebraska, you can check the viewable maps from here to get all the information: Public Access Atlas GIS Map.
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!
Recommended for Hunters and Anglers
Leave a reply