Big game draw permit application period now open

Residents and nonresidents may apply for a draw status Nebraska deer permit in mule deer conservation areas June 2-13.

Residents may purchase a preference point or apply for one of the following deer permits: Platte Any Deer and Frenchman Any Deer.

Nonresidents may purchase a preference point or apply for one deer permit in the following: Sandhills Any Deer, Upper Platte Any Deer, Plains Any Deer, Calamus West Any Deer, Pine Ridge MDCA, Frenchman MDCA, Platte MDCA, Republican MDCA, Buffalo MDCA, Loup West Any Deer, Archery Deer and Muzzleloader Deer.

Residents may purchase a preference point or apply for one antelope permit in the following: Banner North, Banner South, Box Butte East, Box Butte West, Cherry, Cheyenne, Dismal, Eastern Sandhills, Garden, North Sioux, Prairie Muzzleloader and North Sioux Muzzleloader. Nonresidents may apply for an archery antelope permit. Residents also may apply for a general elk permit.

An antelope preference point and an elk bonus point may be purchased in lieu of participating in the drawing.

The application period opened at 10 a.m. Central time June 2. Applications must be received by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission by 5 p.m. Central time — or by 11:59 p.m. for online applications — on June 13. One application is allowed per person per species.

Draws are used to provide equal opportunity to obtain high demand permits. Resident and nonresidents are separated in the drawing, with at least 85% of permits reserved for residents.

Applications may be made at OutdoorNebraska.gov, via application form in the 2025 Big Game Guide, or in person at a Game and Parks permitting office. A list of offices is in the Big Game Guide.

Results of the draw will be available June 20.

Visit OutdoorNebraska.gov, which includes a digital version of the Big Game Guide, for more information.

Find video tutorials to navigate the draw at YouTube.com/@NebraskaGameandParksCommission in the “Permits” playlist.

Editor’s note: The fourth paragraph was updated June 3, 2025, to correct an error.