Nebraska Hunting Season 2023-2024 promises exciting opportunities for both seasoned and novice hunters to explore the state’s rich wildlife. 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!
Nebraska Hunting Season
Content Highlights
Our goal was to simplify Nebraska hunting seasons for 2023-2024. Get to know season dates, restrictions, bag limits, licensing requirements, and valuable resources.
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
Spring archery
25-Mar-23
31-May-23
Spring youth shotgun
8-Apr-23
31-May-23
Spring shotgun
15-Apr-23
31-May-23
Fall youth archery
1-Oct-23
30-Nov-23
Fall youth shotgun
1-Oct-23
30-Nov-23
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)
1-Sep-23
30-Oct-23
Eurasian collared-dove (only)
Year-Round
-
Snipe
1-Sep-23
16-Dec-23
Virginia and sora rail
1-Sep-23
9-Nov-23
Woodcock
7-Oct-23
20-Nov-23
Crow
15-Oct-22
15-Dec-22
Crow
13-Jan-23
14-Mar-23
NE Other Small Games
Small Game
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Additional Restrictions
Squirrel
1-Aug-23
31-Jan-24
-
Cottontail
1-Sep-23
29-Feb-24
-
Jackrabbit
1-Sep-23
29-Feb-24
Allowed west of US 81 only
Goose Season
Nebraska Goose Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Bag Limit
Possession Limit
Dark Goose Season
North central unit
7-Oct-23
19-Jan-24
5
Three times the daily bag limit
Platte River unit
28-Oct-23
9-Feb-24
5
Three times the daily bag limit
Niobrara unit
28-Oct-23
9-Feb-24
5
Three times the daily bag limit
White-Fronted Goose Season
Statewide
7-Oct-23
17-Dec-23
2
Three times the daily bag limit
Statewide
25-Jan-24
9-Feb-24
2
Three times the daily bag limit
Light Goose Season
Statewide
7-Oct-23
3-Jan-24
50
None
Statewide
25-Jan-23
9-Feb-24
50
None
Light Goose Conservation Order Season
East zone
10-Feb-24
15-Apr-24
50
None
West zone
10-Feb-24
5-Apr-24
50
None
Rainwater Basin zone
10-Feb-24
5-Apr-24
50
None
Teal Season
Nebraska Teal Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Bag Limit
Low plains
2-Sep-23
17-Sep-23
6
High plains
2-Sep-23
10-Sep-23
6
Duck & Coot Season
Nebraska Duck & Coot Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Bag Limit
Zone 1
14-Oct-23
26-Dec-23
Tier 1: 6, Tier II: 3, Possession limit: 18
Zone 2
Low Plains:
7-Oct-23
19-Dec-23
Tier 1: 6, Tier II: 3, Possession limit: 18
High Plains:
7-Oct-23
19-Dec-23
Tier 1: 6, Tier II: 3, Possession limit: 18
High Plains:
10-Jan-24
31-Jan-24
Tier 1: 6, Tier II: 3, Possession limit: 18
Zone 3
High Plains:
28-Oct-23
9-Jan-24
Tier 1: 6, Tier II: 3, Possession limit: 18
High Plains:
10-Jan-24
31-Jan-24
Tier 1: 6, Tier II: 3, Possession limit: 18
Zone 4
28-Oct-23
9-Jan-24
Tier 1: 6, Tier II: 3, Possession limit: 18
Youth Duck & Coot Season
Nebraska Youth Duck & Coot Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Bag Limit
Zone 1
7-Oct-23
8-Oct-23
Tier 1: 6, Tier II: 3, Possession limit: 18
Zone 2
30-Sep-23
1-Oct-23
Tier 1: 6, Tier II: 3, Possession limit: 18
Zone 3
21-Oct-23
22-Oct-23
Tier 1: 6, Tier II: 3, Possession limit: 18
Zone 4
21-Oct-23
22-Oct-23
Tier 1: 6, Tier II: 3, Possession limit: 18
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, beaver
Trap only
1-Nov-23
31-Mar-24
Badger
Hunt and trap
1-Nov-23
29-Feb-24
Mink
Hunt and trap
1-Nov-23
29-Feb-24
Bobcat
Hunt and trap
1-Dec-23
29-Feb-24
Running; no harvest
1-Mar-23
30-Nov-24
Raccoon
Hunt only
1-Sep-23
31-Oct-23
Hunt and trap
1-Nov-23
29-Feb-24
Running, no harvest
1-Mar-23
18-Aug-23
Virginia opossum
Hunt only
1-Sep-23
31-Oct-23
Hunt and trap
1-Nov-23
29-Feb-24
Running, no harvest
1-Mar-23
29-Feb-24
Striped skunk
Hunt and trap
1-Jan-23
31-Dec-23
Long-tailed weasel
Hunt and trap
1-Nov-23
29-Feb-24
Red fox
Hunt and trap
1-Nov-23
29-Feb-24
Running, no harvest
1-Mar-23
31-Oct-24
Gray fox
Hunt and trap
1-Nov-23
29-Feb-24
River otter
Trap only
1-Nov-23
29-Feb-24
NE Youth Season
Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Bag Limit
Turkey
Zone 1
Oct. 7, 2023
Oct. 8, 2023
Zone 2
Sept. 30, 2023
Oct. 1, 2023
Zone 3
Oct. 21, 2023
Oct. 22, 2023
Zone 4
Oct. 21, 2023
Oct. 22, 2023
Youth pheasant, quail and partridge
Oct. 21, 2023
Oct. 22, 2023
-
Waterfowl (Regular)
-
-
-
Zone 1
Oct. 7, 2023
Oct. 8, 2023
Tier 1: 6, Tier II: 3, Possession limit: 3 times bag
Zone 2
Sept. 30, 2023
Oct. 1, 2023
Tier 1: 6, Tier II: 3, Possession limit: 3 times bag
Zone 3
Oct. 21, 2023
Oct. 22, 2023
Tier 1: 6, Tier II: 3, Possession limit: 3 times bag
Zone 4
Oct. 21, 2023
Oct. 22, 2023
Tier 1: 6, Tier II: 3, Possession limit: 3 times bag
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.
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.
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.
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.
When does the 2023-2024 Nebraska hunting season start and end?
The 2023-2024 Nebraska hunting season starts on September 1, 2023 and ends on February 29, 2024.
What are the different hunting seasons in Nebraska?
The several hunting seasons in Nebraska provide outdoor enthusiasts with an abundance of options. The deer season runs from September 1, 2024, to January 31, 2024. It includes a number of divisions, including archery, firearms in November, muzzleloader, late antlerless only, and more. Similarly, there are divisions for archery, muzzleloader, and firearms during the antelope season, which runs from August 20 to October 29. In addition, archery, autumn firearm, and spring firearm hunting are available during the turkey season, which runs from April 1 to May 31.
How do I report a poaching violation in Nebraska?
To report a poaching violation in Nebraska, 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.