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
Our goal was to simplify Nebraska hunting seasons for 2023-2024. Get to know season dates, restrictions, bag limits, licensing requirements, and valuable resources.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
- 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:
Frequently Asked Question
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.
Dates & Regulation Source: Outdoor NE
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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