Otter Trapping
The harvest of river otters will allow the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to learn more about the species' distribution, while still allowing the population to expand.
2023 season information
* Change for 2023/2024 otter season:
There is no longer any overall season limit for the number of river otters harvested during the season. Harvesters are not required to check a 1-800# or website before setting traps. The season bag limit of one otter per harvester remains.
The Nebraska otter season is Nov. 1, 2023, to Feb. 29, 2024. Otter may be trapped only. The season bag limit is one. Harvest is allowed statewide during the season.
Harvested otters must be officially tagged by Game and Parks within two business days after the close of the season (same as bobcats), with the permittee furnishing the date and location of harvest before attaching the harvest seal.
Any incidental take of a river otter outside of the harvest season, or beyond daily or season bag limits, shall be unlawful unless the animal is immediately released, if viable, or the harvester reports the take within 24 hours and turns the carcass over to Game and Parks.
About otter trapping
Nebraska’s first harvest season for river otters follows the guidance of the Game and Parks’ River Otter Management Plan. Harvest will allow the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to learn more about river otter distribution, while still allowing the population to expand.
For more information about river otters, visit outdoornebraska.gov/riverotter.
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