Get ready for the thrill of the hunt! Hunting season 2023-2024 is finally here and it’s time to gear up for a successful hunt. If you’re a Nebraskan, you know the excitement of opening day of deer season. It’s a chance to bond with loved ones, enjoy the great outdoors, and maybe even bring home some fresh meat. But before you head out, make sure you know the rules and regulations by getting yourself a good hunting guide. Don’t let a lack of preparation spoil your hunting adventure!
As you prepare for Nebraska’s hunting season, keep this in mind:
1. Know the limits of the hunting area.
2. Get a hunting license for the species you want to hunt.
3. Select the correct hunting gear.
4. Understand Hunter Safety Zone laws.
5. Learn the bag limitations for your hunting location.
6. Learn how to field dress and transport your game.
Following these easy hunting guidelines can help guarantee a safe and successful hunting season for yourself and others. Get outside and appreciate nature!
Content Highlights
Nebraska Hunting Season
Our goal was to simplify Nebraska hunting seasons for 2023-2024. Get to know season dates, restrictions, bag limits, licensing requirements, and valuable resources.
Hunting seasons Nebraska
Deer Season
Nebraska Deer Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Archery
Friday, September 01, 2023
Sunday, December 31, 2023
Special Landowner
Saturday, November 04, 2023
Monday, November 06, 2023
November Firearm
Saturday, November 11, 2023
Sunday, November 19, 2023
Muzzleloader
Friday, December 01, 2023
Sunday, December 31, 2023
October River Antlerless Firearm
Sunday, October 01, 2023
Sunday, October 15, 2023
River Antlerless Late Firearm
Monday, January 01, 2024
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Antlerless Only Season Choice
Friday, September 01, 2023
Monday, January 15, 2024
Limited Landowner
Friday, September 01, 2023
Monday, January 15, 2024
Late Antlerless Only Firearm
Monday, January 01, 2024
Monday, January 15, 2024
Antelope Season
Nebraska Antelope Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Archery
Sunday, August 20, 2023
Sunday, December 31, 2023
Muzzleloader
Saturday, September 16, 2023
Sunday, October 01, 2023
Firearm
Saturday, October 14, 2023
Sunday, October 29, 2023
November late doe/fawn
Wednesday, November 01, 2023
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Elk Season
Nebraska Elk Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Archery bull
Friday, September 01, 2023
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Firearm bull
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Early Antlerless
Tuesday, August 01, 2023
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Late Antlerless
Wednesday, November 01, 2023
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Bighorn Sheep
Nebraska Bighorn Sheep Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Bighorn Sheep
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Friday, December 22, 2023
Mountain Lion
Since two female mountain lions were taken in January of 2023, the season is presently stopped in the Pine Ridge region. Applications for lottery permits for the next hunting season will be accepted from November through December, with a limit of one application per person per year. The season will allow for a harvest of up to 4 lions (including up to 2 females), and will close once the limit is met. The harvest will take place in the Pine Ridge Unit and on public lands. If the limit has not been reached by the end of February, a limited number of unsuccessful permittees will be able to hunt with the aid of dogs during an auxiliary season in from March 11-31, 2023 or until the harvest limit is met.
Turkey Season
Nebraska Turkey Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Fall Youth Archery and Shotgun
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Fall Archery and Shotgun
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Spring Archery
Saturday, March 25, 2023
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Spring Youth Shotgun
Saturday, April 08, 2023
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Spring Shotgun
Saturday, April 15, 2023
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Pheasant Season
Nebraska Pheasant Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Pheasant Season
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Youth pheasant
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Sunday, October 22, 2023
Quail Season
Nebraska Quail Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Quail
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Youth Quail
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Sunday, October 22, 2023
Partridge Season
Nebraska Partridge Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Partridge Season
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Youth Partridge Season
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Sunday, October 22, 2023
Grouse Season
Nebraska Grouse Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Note
Prairie Grouse
Friday, September 01, 2023
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Special permit needed east of U.S. 81
Migratory Bird Season
Nebraska Migratory Bird Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Mourning, white-winged, and Eurasian collared-doves (in aggregate)
Thursday, September 01, 2022
Sunday, October 30, 2022
Eurasian collared-dove (only)
Year-Round
Year-Round
Snipe
Thursday, September 01, 2022
Friday, December 16, 2022
Virginia and sora rail
Thursday, September 01, 2022
Wednesday, November 09, 2022
Woodcock
Saturday, October 08, 2022
Monday, November 21, 2022
Crow
Saturday, October 15, 2022
Thursday, December 15, 2022
Crow
Friday, January 13, 2023
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Squirrel Season
Nebraska Squirrel Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Squirrel
Monday, August 01, 2022
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Rabbit Season
Nebraska Rabbit Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Note
Cottontail
Thursday, September 01, 2022
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Jackrabbit
Thursday, September 01, 2022
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Allowed west of US 81 only
Goose Season
Nebraska Goose Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Bag Limit
Dark Goose (North central unit)
Saturday, October 01, 2022
Friday, January 13, 2023
A daily bag limit of 5 and possession limit of 3 times the daily bag limit
Dark Goose (Platte River unit)
Friday, October 28, 2022
Thursday, February 09, 2023
A daily bag limit of 5 and possession limit of 3 times the daily bag limit
Dark Goose (Niobrara unit)
Friday, October 28, 2022
Thursday, February 09, 2023
A daily bag limit of 5 and possession limit of 3 times the daily bag limit
White-fronted Goose (Statewide)
Saturday, October 01, 2022
Sunday, December 11, 2022
A daily bag limit of 2 and possession limit of 3 times the daily bag limit
White-fronted Goose (Statewide)
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Thursday, February 09, 2023
A daily bag limit of 2 and possession limit of 3 times the daily bag limit
Tier 1 Bag limit of 6 ducks (with restrictions) and Tier 2 A bag limit of 3 ducks (any species, any sex). A Possession Limit of 3 times daily bag limit.
Duck & Coot (Zone 2) (Low Plains)
Saturday, October 01, 2022
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Tier 1 Bag limit of 6 ducks (with restrictions) and Tier 2 A bag limit of 3 ducks (any species, any sex). A Possession Limit of 3 times daily bag limit.
Duck & Coot (High Plains)
Saturday, October 01, 2022
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Tier 1 Bag limit of 6 ducks (with restrictions) and Tier 2 A bag limit of 3 ducks (any species, any sex). A Possession Limit of 3 times daily bag limit.
Duck & Coot (High Plains)
Jan 4 – 2023
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Tier 1 Bag limit of 6 ducks (with restrictions) and Tier 2 A bag limit of 3 ducks (any species, any sex). A Possession Limit of 3 times daily bag limit.
Duck & Coot (Zone 2)
Saturday, October 22, 2022
Tuesday, January 03, 2023
Tier 1 Bag limit of 6 ducks (with restrictions) and Tier 2 A bag limit of 3 ducks (any species, any sex). A Possession Limit of 3 times daily bag limit.
Duck & Coot (Zone 3)
Wednesday, January 04, 2023
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Tier 1 Bag limit of 6 ducks (with restrictions) and Tier 2 A bag limit of 3 ducks (any species, any sex). A Possession Limit of 3 times daily bag limit.
Duck & Coot ( (Zone 4)
Saturday, October 22, 2022
Tuesday, January 03, 2023
Tier 1 Bag limit of 6 ducks (with restrictions) and Tier 2 A bag limit of 3 ducks (any species, any sex). A Possession Limit of 3 times daily bag limit.
Youth Duck & Coot Season
Nebraska Youth Duck & Coot Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Note
Youth (Zone 1)
8-Oct
9-Oct
Tier 1 Bag limit of 6 ducks (with restrictions) and Tier 2 A bag limit of 3 ducks (any species, any sex) A Possession Limit of 3 times daily bag limit
Youth (Zone 2)
24-Sep
25-Sep
Tier 1 Bag limit of 6 ducks (with restrictions) and Tier 2 A bag limit of 3 ducks (any species, any sex) A Possession Limit of 3 times daily bag limit
Youth (Zone 3)
15-Oct
16-Oct
Tier 1 Bag limit of 6 ducks (with restrictions) and Tier 2 A bag limit of 3 ducks (any species, any sex) A Possession Limit of 3 times daily bag limit
Youth (Zone 4)
15-Oct
16-Oct
Tier 1 Bag limit of 6 ducks (with restrictions) and Tier 2 A bag limit of 3 ducks (any species, any sex) A Possession Limit of 3 times daily bag limit
Falconry Season
Nebraska Falconry Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Zone 1
Dates that coincide with those of the normal, youth, and teal duck seasons, plus 25 February - 10 March
Zone 2 (Low Plains)
Saturday, February 25, 2023
Friday, March 10, 2023
Zone 2 (High Plains)
To coincide with all High Plains Zone duck seasons
Zone 3 (Low Plains)
Saturday, February 25, 2023
Friday, March 10, 2023
Zone 3 (High Plains)
To coincide with all High Plains Zone duck seasons
Zone 3
Saturday, February 25, 2023
Friday, March 10, 2023
Furbearers Season
Nebraska Furbearers Season
Method
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Muskrat
Trap only
1-Nov
31-Mar
Beaver
Trap only
1-Nov
31-Mar
Badger
Hunt and trap
1-Nov
28-Feb
Mink
Hunt and trap
1-Nov
28-Feb
Bobcat
Hunt and trap
1-Dec
28-Feb
Bobcat
Running, no harvest
1-Mar
30-Nov
Raccoon
Hunt only
1-Sep
31-Oct
Raccoon
Hunt and trap
1-Nov
28-Feb
Raccoon
Running, no harvest
1-Mar
17-Aug
Virginia opossum
Hunt only
1-Sep
31-Oct
Virginia opossum
Hunt and trap
1-Nov
28-Feb
Virginia opossum
Running, no harvest
1-Mar
17-Aug
Striped skunk
Hunt and trap
Year-round
Long-tailed weasel
Hunt and trap
1-Nov
28-Feb
Red fox
Hunt and trap
1-Nov
28-Feb
Red fox
Running, no harvest
1-Mar
31-Oct
Gray fox
Hunt and trap
1-Nov
28-Feb
River otter (earlier; season closes three days after 125th otter has been harvested)
Trap only
1-Nov
28-Feb
Hunting Licensing Fees in Nebraska.
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
Nebraska Hunting Regulations
Deer Regulations
Only certain weapons are permitted for use during firearm season, including 22-caliber rifles that deliver at least 900 foot-pounds of energy, .357 magnum rifles, .45 Colt rifles, and hand-thrown spears.
Handguns or muzzleloading handguns must deliver at least 400 foot-pounds of energy at 50 yards to be considered legal.
Muzzleloading rifles and muskets of a certain caliber, firing a single slug, are also permitted.
Bows and spears are legal for archery season, while muzzleloading rifles, handguns, and muskets are legal for muzzleloader season.
Shooting is only allowed 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
Electronic devices that amplify light or project a beam or image to a target are prohibited, with exceptions for red-dot and illuminated reticle sights and scopes.
A permit must be signed and is non-transferable.
The minimum age for deer hunting is 10 years old.
Youth hunters must meet certain requirements to hunt with a youth permit.
A habitat stamp is required for big game hunting for those over 16 years old and non-residents, with exceptions for those with fee-exempt permits and landowners hunting their own land.
Hunting from a moving motor vehicle, using a spotlight or electronic device to transmit information about game, and hunting within 200 yards of a baited area are all unlawful.
The sale of deer parts, including hide, hair, hooves, bones, and antlers, is lawful, while the sale or purchase of deer meat is not.
Hunter orange must be displayed during firearm season.
Baited areas must not be hunted within 200 yards, with certain exceptions for scents and standard land management practices.
Deer harvested during certain seasons must be checked within a specified time frame, either at a check station or via Telecheck.
Turkey Regulations
Baiting – Hunting within 200 yards of a baited area is illegal and an area is considered baited for 10 days after all bait has been removed.
Handgun Carrying – Big game and turkey hunters may carry a handgun with a barrel of no more than 5 inches while pursuing game with bow and arrow or muzzleloader.
Hunting Area – Hunting is valid statewide except on federal and state sanctuaries or refuges.
Legal Hunting Methods – Shotguns must contain shot size 2 or smaller during shotgun season, and archery equipment with sharpened heads of at least 7/16 inch or blunt heads of 9/16 inch must be used during archery season.
Taking or attempting to take a turkey perched in a tree before sunrise is illegal.
Habitat Stamp – All residents age 16 or older and nonresidents must have a valid Habitat Stamp to hunt turkey, except landowner permit holders and residents with veteran or senior permits.
Hunter Orange – Not required during spring season.
Minimum Age to Hunt Turkey – None in Nebraska. Hunter education is required for those age 12 to 29 when hunting with a firearm or air gun. An Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption Certificate may be purchased for novice hunters accompanied by a licensed adult age 19 or older.
Accompaniment – Hunters under age 12 and those using an Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption Certificate must be accompanied by a licensed and hunter education-certified adult age 19 or older.
Tagging – Immediately after taking a turkey, the permit tag must be punched or notched and kept with the turkey at all times. Mobile permit allows for turkey to be left unattended with a document displaying hunter information and permit cancellation time and date.
Transportation – It is illegal to possess a turkey unless legs, thighs, and breast remain intact, and breast meat may be removed but must remain as two entire halves.
Find below the complete hunting regulations list in Nebraska:
