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Wildlife surveys

In order to best manage Nebraska’s wildlife resources, each year Game and Parks, along with agency partners, conduct wildlife and hunter surveys. These survey capture harvest and population information for deer, wild turkey and upland game.

We also conduct annual hunter satisfaction and success surveys for big game species, small game and waterfowl. These surveys are integral in understanding harvest, hunter success and satisfaction, and population structures of game species in Nebraska.

Each of these surveys provides crucial information used to develop wildlife regulations, harvest quotas and research.

View rules, regulations and orders

Explore our completed surveys below.

Season recommendations & harvest data

Our big game recommendations books include harvest data for all permits and units for antelope, deer and elk from the preceding year.

Read our Big Game Recommendations for 2024.
Read our Big Game Recommendations for 2023.
Read our Big Game Recommendations for 2022.
Read our Big Game Recommendations for 2021.
Read our Big Game Recommendations for 2020.
Read our Big Game Recommendations for 2019.

Deer

Hunter surveys

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission periodically surveys the hunters of Nebraska regarding issues related to wildlife management. Below are the results of the most recent surveys.

Landowner surveys

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission periodically surveys the landowners of Nebraska regarding issues related to wildlife management and issues on private land. Below are results of the most recent surveys:

Pronghorn

Landowner surveys

2020 Survey of Nebraska Landowner Attitudes on Pronghorn Damage — Summary Report

Elk

Landowner surveys

2020 Survey of Nebraska Landowner Attitudes on Elk Damage — Summary Report

Bighorn sheep

Coming soon.

Upland game birds

Spring and summer upland-game population surveys help inform what we know about the upland game population and what we can expect for upland game hunting seasons.

Rural Mail Carrier Surveys

Northern Bobwhite Whistle Count Surveys

Hunter success reports

Each year, turkey hunter surveys are conducted at the end of the spring and fall seasons. The information obtained is compiled, summarized and provided in the following reports.

Harvest reports

Hunter survey reports

Brood surveys

Surveys of hunters, waterfowl population numbers, peak migration times, harvest data and other information are compiled and used to inform season dates.