If you’re a Nebraskan, you know the excitement of opening day of deer season. But before you head out, make sure you know the rules and regulations by getting yourself a good hunting guide including dates, restrictions, bag limits and licensing requirements.
Nebraska Hunting Season
Big Games
Deer
| Archery | September 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024 |
| Special Landowner | November 9, 2024 - November 11, 2024 |
| November Firearm* | November 16, 2024 - November 24, 2024 |
| Muzzleloader | December 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024 |
| October River Antlerless Firearm | October 1, 2024 - October 15, 2024 |
| River Antlerless Late Firearm | January 1, 2025 - January 31, 2025 |
| Antlerless Only Season Choice | September 1, 2024 - January 15, 2025 |
| Limited Landowner | September 1, 2024 - January 15, 2025 |
| Late Antlerless Only Firearm | January 1, 2025 - January 15, 2025 |
Antelope
| Archery | August 20, 2024 - December 31, 2024 |
| Muzzleloader | September 21, 2024 - October 6, 2024 |
| Firearm | October 12, 2023 - October 27, 2023 |
| November Late Doe/Fawn | November 1, 2024 - January 31, 2025 |
Elk
| Archery Bull | September 1, 2024 - October 31, 2024 |
| Firearm Bull | September 21, 2024 - October 31, 2024 |
| Early Antlerless | August 1, 2024 - October 31, 2024 |
| Late Antlerless | November 1, 2023 - January 31, 2025 |
Bighorn Sheep
| December 3, 2024 - December 22, 2024 |
Mountain Lion
| Mountain Lion Season | 2-Jan-24 - 29-Feb-24 | Pine Ridge, Niobrara (new) |
|---|---|---|
| Auxiliary Season | 16-Mar-24 - 31-Mar-24 | If harvest limit not reached |
Turkey
| Spring Archery | March 25, 2024 - May 31, 2024 |
| Spring Youth Shotgun | April 6, 2024 - May 31, 2024 |
| Spring Shotgun | April 13, 2024 - May 31, 2024 |
| Fall Youth Archery & Shotgun | October 1, 2024 - November 30, 2024 |
| Fall Archery & Shotgun | October 1, 2024 - November 30, 2024 |
Small Games
| Squirrel | Aug. 1, 2024 – Jan. 31, 2025 |
| Jackrabbit | Sept. 1, 2024 – Feb. 28, 2025 (Allowed west of U.S. 81 only) |
| Cottontail | Sept. 1, 2024 – Feb. 28, 2025 |
Upland Birds
Pheasant
| General | October 26, 2024 - January 31, 2025 |
| Youth | October 19 - 20, 2024 |
Quail
| Regular | October 26, 2024 - January 31, 2025 |
| Youth Quail | October 19 - 20, 2024 |
Grouse
| Prairie Grouse | September 1, 2024 - January 31, 2025 | Special permit needed east of U.S. 81 |
Partridge
| Normal | October 26, 2024 - January 31, 2025 |
| Youth | October 19 - 20, 2024 |
Migratory Birds
Dove
| Mourning, White-winged, Eurasian Collared-Doves (Aggregate) | September 1 - October 30 |
| Eurasian Collared-Dove (Only) | January 1 - December 31 |
Snipe
| September 1 - December 16 |
Woodcock
| October 5 - November 18 |
Rail
| Virginia and Sora Rail | September 1 - November 9 |
Crow
| October 12 - December 12 |
| January 11 - March 13 |
Waterfowl
Goose
| Goose Type | Dates | Unit | Bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Goose | Oct. 5, 2024 – Jan. 17, 2025 | North Central | 5 (daily), 15 (possession) |
| Oct. 28, 2024 – Feb. 9, 2025 | Platte River | 5 (daily), 15 (possession) | |
| Oct. 28, 2024 – Feb. 9, 2025 | Niobrara | 5 (daily), 15 (possession) | |
| White-Fronted Goose | Oct. 12 – Dec. 22, 2024 | Statewide | 2 (daily), 6 (possession) |
| Jan. 25 – Feb. 9, 2025 | Statewide | 2 (daily), 6 (possession) | |
| Light Goose | Oct. 12, 2024 – Jan. 8, 2025 | Statewide | 50 (daily), none (possession) |
| Jan. 25 – Feb. 9, 2025 | Statewide | 50 (daily), none (possession) | |
| Light Goose Conservation Order* | Feb. 10 – Apr. 15, 2025 | East zone | none (daily & possession) |
| Feb. 10 – Apr. 5, 2025 | West zone | none (daily & possession) | |
| Feb. 10 – Apr. 5, 2025 | Rainwater Basin zone | none (daily & possession) |
Teal
| Low plains | September 1 – September 16 | Bag of 6 |
| High plains | September 1 – September 9 |
Ducks & Coots
| Zone 1 | Oct. 12 – Dec. 24, 2024 | • Tier 1: 6 ducks with restrictions • Tier II: 3 ducks, any species, any sex • Possession limit: 18 ducks |
| Zone 2 (High Plains) | Oct. 5 – Dec. 17, 2024 | |
| Jan. 8 – Jan. 29, 2025 | ||
| Zone 3 (High Plains) | Oct. 26, 2024 – Jan. 7, 2025 | |
| Jan. 8 – Jan. 29, 2025 | ||
| Zone 4 | Oct. 26, 2024 – Jan. 7, 2025 |
Youth Duck & Coots
| Zone 1 | Oct. 5–6, 2024 | • Tier 1: 6 ducks with restrictions • Tier II: 3 ducks, any species, any sex • Possession limit: 18 ducks |
| Zone 2 | Sept. 28–29, 2024 | |
| Zone 3 | Oct. 19-20, 2024 | |
| Zone 4 | Oct. 19-20, 2024 |
Falconry
| Coinciding with Regular Duck, Youth, and Teal Season Dates | See respective dates for Teal, Youth, and Regular Duck seasons |
| Zone 1 | February 25 – March 10 |
| Zone 2 | Low Plains: February 25 – March 10 |
| High Plains: Coinciding with all duck season dates in High Plains Zone | |
| Zone 3 | February 25 – March 10 |
| High Plains: Coinciding with all duck season dates in High Plains Zone | |
| Zone 4 | February 25 – March 10 |
Active-duty Military/Veteran
| Zone 1 | Oct. 5-6 | • Tier 1: 6 ducks with restrictions • Tier II: 3 ducks, any species, any sex • Possession limit: 18 ducks |
| Zone 2 | Sept. 28-29 | |
| Zone 3 | Oct. 19-20 | |
| Zone 4 | Oct. 19-20 |
Furbearers
| Animal | Method | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Muskrat, Beaver | Trap Only | Nov 1 – Mar 31 |
| Badger | Hunt and Trap | Nov 1 – Feb 29 |
| Mink | Hunt and Trap | Nov 1 – Feb 29 |
| Bobcat | Hunt and Trap | Dec 1 – Feb 29 |
| Running; No Harvest | Mar 1 – Nov 30 | |
| Raccoon | Hunt Only | Sept 1 – Oct 31 |
| Hunt and Trap | Nov 1 – Feb 29 | |
| Running, No Harvest | Mar 1 – Aug 18 | |
| Virginia Opossum | Hunt Only | Sept 1 – Oct 31 |
| Hunt and Trap | Nov 1 – Feb 29 | |
| Running, No Harvest | Mar 1 – Aug 18 | |
| Striped Skunk | Hunt and Trap | Year-Round |
| Long-tailed Weasel | Hunt and Trap | Nov 1 – Feb 29 |
| Red Fox | Hunt and Trap | Nov 1 – Feb 29 |
| Running, No Harvest | Mar 1 – Oct 31 | |
| Gray Fox | Hunt and Trap | Nov 1 – Feb 29 |
| River Otter | Trap Only | November 1, until February 29 or earlier; season ends three days after 125th otter is taken Each legal permit holder may harvest one river otter every season Learn more |
Youth Days
| Turkey | Spring Youth Shotgun: April 6 – May 31, 2024 |
| Fall Youth Archery and Shotgun: Oct. 1 – Nov. 30, 2024 | |
| Upland | Youth Pheasant, Quail, and Partridge: Oct. 19 – 20, 2024 |
| Waterfowl Zones | |
| 1 | Oct. 5–6, 2024 |
| 2 | Sept. 28–29, 2024 |
| 3 | Oct. 19-20, 2024 |
| 4 | Oct. 19-20, 2024 |
Licensing Fees
| Type of License | Age Limit | For Residents | For Nonresident |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Lifetime Hunt License | Age Limit of 16-45 | 260 USD | N/A |
| Non-Resident License(2-Day Hunt) | N/A | 76 USD | |
| Fall Turkey License | 30 USD | 128 USD | |
| Nebraska Annual Hunt License | 18 USD | 109 USD |
FAQ
When does the 2024-2025 Nebraska hunting season start and end?
It starts on September and ends on February.
What are the different hunting seasons in Nebraska?
Deer hunting is available during archery season from September 1 to December 31, muzzleloader season from October 21 to November 4, 2024, and firearm season from November 12 to December 31, 2024. Elk and mountain lion seasons are January 2–February 29, 2024, with possible auxiliary seasons. Pheasant, Quail, and Partridge hunting is available from October 26 to January 31, 2025, Prairie Grouse from September 1 to January 31, 2025 (special permission needed east of U.S. 81), and Cottontail and Jackrabbit from September 1 to February 28, 2025. Zones and species vary, but waterfowl season begins in October. Additional games include Squirrel (August 1–January 31, 2025), Mourning, White-winged, and Eurasian Collared-doves (September 1–October 30), Snipe (September 1–December 16), Virginia and Sora Rail (September 1–November 9), and Woodcock (October 15–November 30).
How do I report a poaching violation in Nebraska?
To report a poaching violation, you can call the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission at 1-800-742-7666.
John Lewis, the passionate founder of HuntingSeasons.org, is committed to promoting responsible hunting and a profound love for the wilderness. With years of expertise, his platform serves as a reliable guide for hunting enthusiasts, advocating ethical practices and nature preservation.
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