Commission approves 2026 big game hunting recommendations

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved recommendations for 2026 deer, antelope and elk hunting seasons at its meeting April 17 at Chadron State Park.

Commissioners approved staff recommendations that will help the agency meet management goals for big game populations. Management goals take into consideration population and harvest data, as well as input from hunters, landowners, and the public, with the goal of maintaining long-term opportunities and access for hunters.

Adopted changes to Commission orders pertaining to big game hunting include:

• removing 80 general either-sex and 142 general doe/fawn antelope permits,
• removing 10 bull and 12 antlerless elk permits overall, expanding the bull season to include Dec. 16-31, and adjusting the boundary between units 4 and 10,
• restructuring buck deer permits to a Season Choice format,
• removing the Mule Deer Conservation Area name,
• reducing available November Firearm permits by 6% and Antlerless Only permits by 13%, and adjusting the unit boundary between Plains and Pine Ridge units at Box Butte Reservoir, and
• restructuring River Antlerless into four units/permits: Niobrara, Lower Platte, Blue, and Lower Missouri, and reducing River Antlerless permits by 31%.

The approved 2026 big game season dates are:

Deer:

Archery – Sept. 1-Dec. 31, 2026; November Firearm – Nov. 14-22 (nine consecutive days starting on the Saturday closest to Nov. 13), 2026; Muzzleloader – Dec. 1-31, 2026; Late Antlerless Only Firearm – Jan. 1-15, 2027; October River Antlerless Firearm – Oct. 1-15, 2026

Antelope:

Archery – Aug. 20-Dec. 31, 2026; Muzzleloader – Sept. 19-Oct. 4, 2026; Firearm – Oct. 10-25, 2026; Late Doe/Fawn – Nov. 1, 2026-Jan. 31, 2027

Elk:

Archery bull – Sept. 1-Oct. 31 and Dec. 16-31, 2026; Firearm bull – Sept. 21-Oct. 31 and Dec. 16-31, 2026; Antlerless – Aug. 1-Jan. 31, 2027; Antlerless, Private Land Only – Aug. 1-Sept. 20, 2026; Early General Antlerless – Aug. 1-Oct. 31, 2026; Late General Antlerless – Nov. 1-Jan. 31, 2027

The commissioners asked staff to make recommendations to personal limits for deer at the June Commission meeting.

In other business, the Commission amended the Sherman County Reservoir Operating Agreement and Conservation Easement with Loup Basin Reclamation District to remove the Trail 12 Cabin Area currently subleased by Game and Parks to cabin owners on approximately 75 acres of leased land. 

The commissioners also heard a report about the Soldier Creek Restoration Project at Fort Robinson State Park, where angler access is being improved at three locations. Improvements also are being made to stream habitat and to nearby Crazy Horse Pond. Completion is scheduled for January.

Nebraska Conservation Officer Keith Jadlowski, who covers Keith and Arthur counties, was recognized as the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

Joe Rydell, northwest district fisheries supervisor, gave a report about Panhandle trout fishing opportunities, highlighting different species, types of streams, and ponds that are stocked.

To view the 2026 Big Game Recommendations, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov and search “Regulations.”