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Hunting in State Parks

Game and Parks offers limited hunting opportunities in its state parks, state recreation areas and state historical parks.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission offers limited hunting opportunities in its state parks, state recreation areas and state historical parks. Special regulations apply, and hunting access permits are often required. Trapping is authorized by special permit and only when depredation is occurring. A park entry permit is required for each vehicle entering state park, state recreation area or state historical park lands.

Application

A state park hunting application is required to hunt at Mahoney State Park, Platte River State Park and Schramm Park SRA and will be accepted from Oct. 1-31. Please mail applications to Mahoney State Park (address in application).

State parks that allow hunting

SpeciesDatesAreasSpecial Instructions
Small & Upland GaneConcurrent with hunting seasonsDesignated park lands west of HWY 26 and North of CR 44Per regulations & special requirements
DeerArchery: concurrent with hunting seasonDesignated park lands west of HWY 26 and North of CR 44Per regulations & special requirements
TurkeyArchery: concurrent with hunting seasonDesignated park lands west of HWY 26 and North of CR 44Per regulations & special requirements
WaterfowlConcurrent with hunting seasonsDesignated park lands west of HWY 26 and North of CR 44No permanent blinds; per regulations & special requirements

SpeciesDatesAreasSpecial Instructions
DeerSpecialized/organized archery & muzzleloader hunts coordinated on select dates within the periods from the 1st Monday after Thanksgiving to the end of Late Firearm Deer SeasonSelect park zones to be designatedNo permanent blinds; pre-registration required

SpeciesDatesAreasSpecial Instructions
DeerSpecialized Archery & Muzzleloader Hunts; select dates from the first Monday after Thanksgiving to the end of Late Firearm SeasonSelect park zones to be designatedAssigned zones

SpeciesDatesAreasSpecial Instructions
DeerArchery: Nov. 1-Dec. 31, 2024Select park zones to be designatedPre-registration required at the Visitor Center

SpeciesDatesAreasSpecial Instructions
Waterfowl (Zone 4) – DuckNov. 1, 2024-close of seasonMaze tract & backwater areaNo permanent blinds
Waterfowl (Statewide) – Light GooseNov. 1, 2024-close of seasonMaze tract & backwater areaNo permanent blinds
Waterfowl (Platte River Unit) – Dark GooseNov. 1, 2024-close of seasonMaze tract & backwater areaNo permanent blinds
TurkeyFall Archery: Nov. 1-30, 2024Select park zones to be designated
DeerArchery: Nov. 1-Dec. 31, 2024 (includes firearm season)Select park zones to be designatedEligible hunters possessing the proper permit may hunt with legal bow/arrow & crossbow only & must wear hunter orange.
DeerBlue Southeast Antlerless Only Season Choice Deer: Jan. 1-15, 2025Select park zones to be designatedUse of centerfire rifles is prohibited

SpeciesDatesAreasSpecial Instructions
DeerArchery: Nov. 1-Dec. 31, 2024 Select park zones to be designatedLimited number of registered hunters per day
*Turkey & DeerMentored Youth Hunts concurrent with established seasons & regulationsSelect park zones to be designated*Will alternate deer & turkey mentored hunts annually (Deer in 2024)

SpeciesDatesAreasSpecial Instructions
DeerArchery: Oct. 1-Nov.15; Nov. 25-Dec. 31, 2024Select park zones to be designatedAssigned zones

SpeciesDatesAreasSpecial Instructions
Waterfowl Concurrent with 2024/2025 Waterfowl Seasons (including Early Teal)North BottomNo permanent blinds with exception of Agency-provided, first-come, first-serve blinds
Dove, Rabbit & SquirrelConcurrent with 2024/2025 Upland & Small Game SeasonsNorth Bottom
Pheasant & QuailConcurrent with 2024/2025 Upland & Small Game SeasonsNorth Bottom
Pheasant & QuailYouth Hunt: weekend prior to the Upland Pheasant/Quail Regular SeasonNorth BottomUpland Game Youth Hunt
TurkeyYouth Mentored Spring Turkey Hunts only: select dates during Spring Turkey SeasonNorth Bottom
Youth Mentored Spring Hunts Only
TurkeyConcurrent with Archery & Shotgun 2024 Fall SeasonsNorth Bottom
DeerConcurrent with Archery, Rifle & Muzzleloader 2024 SeasonsNorth Bottom
Pheasant & QuailUpland Game Youth Hunt: Prior to regular Upland 2024 SeasonSouth BottomUpland Game Youth Hunt
WaterfowlConcurrent with 2024/25 Waterfowl Seasons, not including Early TealSouth BottomNo permanent blinds with exception of Agency-provided, first-come, first-serve blinds
DeerArchery: Tuesday following Labor Day through end of seasonSouth Bottom
TurkeyFall Archery: Nov. 1-30, 2024South Bottom
DeerArchery: Nov. 1-Jan. end of seasonMain Park Area (designated zones)
TurkeyFall Archery: Nov. 1-30, 2024Main Park Area (designated zones)
*Turkey & DeerMentored Youth Hunts concurrent with seasonsMain Park Area (designated zones)*Will alternate deer and turkey mentored hunts annually (turkey in 2025)
DeerYouth Only, Archery & Muzzleloader: concurrent with seasonsCraig Oldsen Family Outdoor and Education AreaSpecial requirements & permit available at Ponca HQ; limited number of participants per day
TurkeyYouth Only, Archery & Shotgun: concurrent with seasonsCraig Oldsen Family Outdoor and Education AreaSpecial requirements & permit available at Ponca HQ; limited number of participants per day

SpeciesDatesAreasSpecial Instructions
DeerArchery: Dec. 1-Dec. 31, 2024Designated park area south of old railroad corridorWalk-in access only
DeerBlue Southeast AOSC: Jan. 1-15, 2025Designated park area south of old railroad corridorAntlerless Only eligible hunters possessing the proper firearm permit may hunt with legal bow/arrow & crossbow only, and are required to wear hunter orange.

Walk-in access only

Hunting at SRAs

To find out which Nebraska Game and Parks state recreation areas allow hunting, explore the Public Access Atlas.

Additional Public Hunting Lands

Nebraska also offers other locations to hunt, including Open Fields and Waters lands, wildlife management areas, federal lands and on conservation partner lands.

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Reservations

Reservations are accepted for cabins, lodge rooms, and group lodges up to one year in advance of the arrival date. Reservations for camping are accepted up to 180 days in advance of arrival date. The Reservation Call Center hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (CT) and closed on holidays.