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
| Species | Dates | Areas | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small & Upland Gane | Concurrent with hunting seasons | Designated park lands west of HWY 26 and North of CR 44 | Per regulations & special requirements |
| Deer | Archery: concurrent with hunting season | Designated park lands west of HWY 26 and North of CR 44 | Per regulations & special requirements |
| Turkey | Archery: concurrent with hunting season | Designated park lands west of HWY 26 and North of CR 44 | Per regulations & special requirements |
| Waterfowl | Concurrent with hunting seasons | Designated park lands west of HWY 26 and North of CR 44 | No permanent blinds; per regulations & special requirements |
| Species | Dates | Areas | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Specialized/organized archery & muzzleloader hunts coordinated on select dates within the periods from the 1st Monday after Thanksgiving to the end of Late Firearm Deer Season | Select park zones to be designated | No permanent blinds; pre-registration required |
| Species | Dates | Areas | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Specialized Archery & Muzzleloader Hunts; select dates from the first Monday after Thanksgiving to the end of Late Firearm Season | Select park zones to be designated | Assigned zones |
| Species | Dates | Areas | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery: Nov. 1-Dec. 31, 2024 | Select park zones to be designated | Pre-registration required at the Visitor Center |
| Species | Dates | Areas | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterfowl (Zone 4) – Duck | Nov. 1, 2024-close of season | Maze tract & backwater area | No permanent blinds |
| Waterfowl (Statewide) – Light Goose | Nov. 1, 2024-close of season | Maze tract & backwater area | No permanent blinds |
| Waterfowl (Platte River Unit) – Dark Goose | Nov. 1, 2024-close of season | Maze tract & backwater area | No permanent blinds |
| Turkey | Fall Archery: Nov. 1-30, 2024 | Select park zones to be designated | |
| Deer | Archery: Nov. 1-Dec. 31, 2024 (includes firearm season) | Select park zones to be designated | Eligible hunters possessing the proper permit may hunt with legal bow/arrow & crossbow only & must wear hunter orange. |
| Deer | Blue Southeast Antlerless Only Season Choice Deer: Jan. 1-15, 2025 | Select park zones to be designated | Use of centerfire rifles is prohibited |
| Species | Dates | Areas | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery: Nov. 1-Dec. 31, 2024 | Select park zones to be designated | Limited number of registered hunters per day |
| *Turkey & Deer | Mentored Youth Hunts concurrent with established seasons & regulations | Select park zones to be designated | *Will alternate deer & turkey mentored hunts annually (Deer in 2024) |
| Species | Dates | Areas | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery: Oct. 1-Nov.15; Nov. 25-Dec. 31, 2024 | Select park zones to be designated | Assigned zones |
| Species | Dates | Areas | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterfowl | Concurrent with 2024/2025 Waterfowl Seasons (including Early Teal) | North Bottom | No permanent blinds with exception of Agency-provided, first-come, first-serve blinds |
| Dove, Rabbit & Squirrel | Concurrent with 2024/2025 Upland & Small Game Seasons | North Bottom | |
| Pheasant & Quail | Concurrent with 2024/2025 Upland & Small Game Seasons | North Bottom | |
| Pheasant & Quail | Youth Hunt: weekend prior to the Upland Pheasant/Quail Regular Season | North Bottom | Upland Game Youth Hunt |
| Turkey | Youth Mentored Spring Turkey Hunts only: select dates during Spring Turkey Season | North Bottom | Youth Mentored Spring Hunts Only |
| Turkey | Concurrent with Archery & Shotgun 2024 Fall Seasons | North Bottom | |
| Deer | Concurrent with Archery, Rifle & Muzzleloader 2024 Seasons | North Bottom | |
| Pheasant & Quail | Upland Game Youth Hunt: Prior to regular Upland 2024 Season | South Bottom | Upland Game Youth Hunt |
| Waterfowl | Concurrent with 2024/25 Waterfowl Seasons, not including Early Teal | South Bottom | No permanent blinds with exception of Agency-provided, first-come, first-serve blinds |
| Deer | Archery: Tuesday following Labor Day through end of season | South Bottom | |
| Turkey | Fall Archery: Nov. 1-30, 2024 | South Bottom | |
| Deer | Archery: Nov. 1-Jan. end of season | Main Park Area (designated zones) | |
| Turkey | Fall Archery: Nov. 1-30, 2024 | Main Park Area (designated zones) | |
| *Turkey & Deer | Mentored Youth Hunts concurrent with seasons | Main Park Area (designated zones) | *Will alternate deer and turkey mentored hunts annually (turkey in 2025) |
| Deer | Youth Only, Archery & Muzzleloader: concurrent with seasons | Craig Oldsen Family Outdoor and Education Area | Special requirements & permit available at Ponca HQ; limited number of participants per day |
| Turkey | Youth Only, Archery & Shotgun: concurrent with seasons | Craig Oldsen Family Outdoor and Education Area | Special requirements & permit available at Ponca HQ; limited number of participants per day |
| Species | Dates | Areas | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery: Dec. 1-Dec. 31, 2024 | Designated park area south of old railroad corridor | Walk-in access only |
| Deer | Blue Southeast AOSC: Jan. 1-15, 2025 | Designated park area south of old railroad corridor | Antlerless 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.
Related Content
Hunting permits
Purchase hunting, big game and turkey permits, as well as supertags and combo lotteries.
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.