Nebraska Hunting

Nebraska offers an abundance of game and wildlife, making it a top destination for hunting enthusiasts in the USA. Before embarking on your hunting adventure, it’s essential to understand the state’s hunting regulations to ensure a safe and lawful experience.

The Nebraska Department of Fish and Wildlife defines the hunting seasons and bag limits for each species, but hunters must also adhere to federal, state, municipal, and private landowner regulations.

Nebraska Hunting Trips

Guided hunting trips are a popular option in Nebraska, with many outfitters offering packaged hunts for deer, turkey, bobwhite quail, elk, waterfowl, predator and small game hunting. Lodging, meals, transport and guide service are provided.

Firearm Hunting Regulations

Possession of Hunting Firearms in Vehicles

In Nebraska, it is illegal to possess loaded firearms in vehicles, whether they are hunting firearms or not. The state only allows registered handguns and revolvers to be carried in vehicles.

Use of Rifles and Handguns for Hunting

Nebraska does not permit the use of rifles, revolvers, and handguns with a .22 or larger ammunition for hunting. Additionally, hunting with rifles or handguns is prohibited in areas leased or permitted for hunting by the state. Exceptions are made for hunting crows.

Hunting with Shotguns

Shotguns that fire more than two shots are not allowed for hunting in land leased or owned by the state, or areas that require a hunting permit. Private landowners also prohibit shotguns. Waterfowl hunting in Nebraska is restricted to shotguns with lead shots.

Bag Limit Regulation

Hunters must observe bag limits, which include daily, possession in storage, and follow the gun laws, season bag limits. The daily bag limit refers to the number of game species a hunter can take in a day, from 12 am to 12 am the next day. The possession in storage limit is for non-migratory wildlife and game species, and the season bag limit is the maximum number of wildlife and game that can be taken during the open season.

Bow Hunting Regulations

Bowhunter Education

Before hunting small games with a bow and arrow in Nebraska, hunters must complete a bowhunter education course.

Lawful Bow and Arrows

Only certain bows and arrows are accepted in Nebraska for hunting. For turkey and deer hunting, the bow must be long, possess compound bows, recurved, and have a draw weight of at least 40 pounds. Mechanical strings are allowed, but coating projectiles with chemicals, poison, or drugs is prohibited.

Crossbows

Crossbows are legal for hunting various games in Nebraska but must have a draw weight of at least 125 pounds and an efficient automated safety device.

Possession of Firearms for Bowhunting

Having a firearm while bow hunting is prohibited in Nebraska.

Hunter Harassment Law

Nebraska has strict laws to protect hunting activities from harassment. Individuals should not interfere with legal hunting practices or disturb the behavioral patterns of wildlife. This includes driving wildlife to disturb hunting activities, impeding hunters, or disturbing the environment of hunting properties.

Nebraska Hunting License Permits and Tags

Resident Hunting License

Residents aged 16 and above can purchase a resident hunting license for $52.66.

Non-Residents Hunting License Nebraska

Non-residents aged 16 and above can obtain a non-resident hunting license for $183.60.

Junior Hunting License

Both residents and non-residents aged 16 and above can purchase a junior hunting license for $14.04.

One-Day Non-Resident Hunting License

Non-residents can obtain a one-day non-resident hunting license for $25.10, allowing them to hunt migratory game birds in Nebraska.

Two-Day Non-Resident Hunting License

Non-residents can also get a two-day non-resident hunting license for $52.66, which permits the hunting of migratory game birds and small game.

Disabled Veteran Reduced Free Hunting License

Honorably discharged veterans with a 50% service-connected disability can apply for this reduced-fee hunting license, costing $7.98.

Recovering Serviced Member Reduced Free Hunting License

Recovering service members can purchase this license for $7.98 while recovering from treatment or illness acquired while on duty.

Duplicate Hunting License

A duplicate license is available for $7.98 to those who lost their original license.

Hunting Tags in Nebraska

Hunters can obtain specific tags for bear, elk, pronghorn antelope, and bighorn sheep, among others. Certain tags may require drawing applications.

Nebraska Fishing License Permits and Tags

Resident Sport Fishing License

Nebraska residents aged 16 and above can purchase a resident sport fishing license for $52.66.

Non-Resident Sport Fishing License

Non-residents aged 16 and above can acquire a non-resident sport fishing license for $142.02.

Reduced Fee Sport Fishing License for Disabled Veterans

Both residents and non-residents with a 50% service-connected disability can get this license for $7.98.

Reduced Fee Sport Fishing License for Recovering Service Member

Recovering service members can purchase this license for $7.98 while recovering from treatment or illness acquired while on duty.

Reduced Fee Sport Fishing License for Low-Income Earners

Nebraska residents aged 65 and above can purchase this license for $7.98, subject to specific income requirements.

Free Sport Fishing License for Low-Income Americans

Native US residents and Nebraska residents who cannot afford a fishing license can obtain this license free of charge.

Free Sport Fishing License for Disabled

This license is free and valid for mobility-impaired, blind, and disabled individuals.

One-day Sport Fishing License

Both residents and non-residents can obtain a one-day sport fishing license for $17.02.

Two-day Sport Fishing License

Both residents and non-residents can get a two-day sport fishing license for $26.49.

Ten-day Sport Fishing License

Both residents and non-residents can purchase a ten-day sport fishing license for $52.66.

Nebraska Hunting Season

The hunting season in Nebraska varies for different game animals and firearms used for hunting. Here are some of the seasons for 2020/21:

Nebraska Deer Hunting Season:
- General Season: August 10 to November 10
- Archery Season: July 11 to September 27
Nebraska Bear Hunting Season:
- Archery Season: August 15 to September 6
Nebraska Pronghorn Hunting Season:
- General Season: August 8 to September 13
- Apprentice Hunts Season: August 22 to August 30
Nebraska Elk Season:
- General Season: July 25 to November 1 (varies by region)
Nebraska Desert Bighorn Hunting Season:
- General Season: August 15 to September 27 and December 5 to February 7 (varies by region)
Nebraska Small Games Hunting Season:
- Tree Squirrel Hunting Seasons:
  - Archery Season: August 1 to September 11
  - General Season: September 12 to January 31
- Rabbits and Hares Hunting Seasons:
  - General Season: July 1 to January 31

Note that specific hunting seasons and regulations may vary by region and method of taking games and wildlife.

Nebraska Wildlife Game and Fish

Nebraska is home to various wildlife and game species that hunters can pursue, including:

Mountain Lions: Common in Nebraska, primarily inhabiting deserts and humid forested areas.
Bobcats: Predators found in the northern part of America, about twice the size of household cats.
Coyotes: Found in almost every part of Nebraska, except major cosmopolitan regions.
Foxes: Commonly the red fox, dispersed throughout the state.
Wolves: Returned to Nebraska through human dispersal from other states, particularly gray wolves.
Black Bears: Two species, the northwestern black bear and the Nebraska black bear, inhabit some national parks in the state.
Deer: Mule deer are indigenous to the Northern part of America, including Nebraska.
Elk: One of the largest deer species in North America and Nebraska.
Bighorn Sheep: Found in snowy heights and arid regions, including desert bighorn and Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep.
Waterfowl: Hunting requires permits obtained through random drawings.
Rabbit: A popular small game, with a bag limit of five and possession limit of ten animals.

Nebraska Shooting Ranges

Nebraska offers numerous shooting ranges for enthusiasts to practice and hone their skills. Some of the shooting ranges include:

Camp Clarke Raiders Blackpowder Club/Range
Fremont Izaak Walton Gun Club – Valley Trap Range
Harry A. Koch Trap & Skeet Range
Heartland Public Shooting Park
Jefferson County Sportsmen’s Club
Sumac Sporting Clays
Eustis Gun Club

Nebraska Hunting Land for Sale and Lease

Hunters interested in owning or leasing hunting land in Nebraska have several options, including:

Kearney, Nebraska (Buffalo County) – 182 acres
Harrisburg, Nebraska (Banner County) – 2,270 acres
Elyria, Nebraska (Valley County) – 26.37 acres
Crawford, Nebraska (Sioux County) – 1,789 acres
Long Pine, Nebraska (Brown County) – 128.51 acres

For a lease, there are options like:

Great Archery Whitetail Lease in Norfolk County – 80 acres
Whitetail and Turkey lease Birds and Beast Whitetail Hunts in Niobrara County – 600 acres
Whitetail Lease in NE Nebraska with big bucks and a growing deer population in Norfolk County – 988 acres
Hunt Club with Waterfowl Lease Memberships in Otoe County – 300 acres
Duck/pheasant/deer land along the Missouri River in Honey Creek County – 300 acres

Conclusion

Nebraska offers a rich hunting experience with diverse game species and beautiful landscapes. To make the most of your hunting trip, familiarize yourself with the state’s hunting regulations and obtain the necessary licenses and permits. Respect the laws and the environment, and enjoy your adventurous hunting experience in Nebraska!

FAQs;

Q1: Can I carry a firearm while bow hunting in Nebraska?

No, it is illegal to carry a firearm while bow hunting in Nebraska.

Q2: What are the bag limits for hunting in Nebraska?

Bag limits include daily, possession in storage, and season bag limits. Daily limits restrict the number of game species that can be taken in a day, possession in storage limits regulate non-migratory wildlife storage, and season bag limits set the maximum number of wildlife and game that can be taken during the open season.

Q3: Are there any hunting seasons for mountain lions in Nebraska?

Yes, mountain lions are common in Nebraska, and there are specific hunting seasons for them.

Q4: Does Nebraska have good hunting?

Yes, Nebraska is known for its excellent hunting. Abundant wildlife, good habitat diversity, and large portions of public land make for great hunting of deer, turkey, waterfowl, upland birds, and other game.

Q5: Can non residents hunt in Nebraska?

Non-residents can obtain hunting licenses to legally hunt in Nebraska. The state offers a variety of non-resident hunting licenses, stamps, and permits for most common game species. Some additional restrictions and costs apply compared to residents.

Q6: What is the age requirement for a resident hunting license in Nebraska?

Residents aged 16 and above can purchase a resident hunting license in Nebraska.

Q7: What are the rules for hunting waterfowl in Nebraska?

Hunting waterfowl in Nebraska requires obtaining a permit through random drawings.