With a broad diversity of species and seasons, all hunters in Nebraska can have a busy year. Following is a comprehensive list of season dates and applications periods by species. Season dates are tentative, pending Commission approval. For detailed information about each season check out the annual hunting guides. Complete regulations and Commission orders can be found on the regulations page. View the list of 2018 big game check stations to learn where and how to check your deer, antelope, or elk.
Big game seasons
Deer
Season dates
Archery: Sept. 1, 2018 – Dec. 31, 2018
November firearm: Nov. 10, 2018 – Nov. 18, 2018
Muzzleloader: Dec. 1, 2018 – Dec. 31, 2018
Late firearm (antlerless only): Jan. 1, 2019 – Jan. 15, 2019
Permit requirements
Deer hunters in Nebraska are required to have a Statewide or Unit Deer Permit and a Habitat stamp. (view big game guide for exceptions)
Deer permits are issued as Draw units or Buy units. Draw units are determined by overall demand and may be applied for during the draw unit application period. Buy units (over-the-counter permits) are issued on a first-come, first served basis. Additionally, youth permits are available to youth under the age of 16. (See the Big Game Guide for more on permits, unit names, species of deer and bag limits.)
Permit application dates
June 11, 2018 after 1:00 pm CST – June 22, 2018
Resident and nonresident application period for draw units. Submit applications online or via mail.
Download 2018 big game application
Download 2018 big game landowner application
Landowner additional land form
Permit sale dates
July 9, 2018 after 1:00 pm CST – close of season
Residents and nonresidents can purchase remaining permits on sale. (all units)
Download step-by-step instructions on the big game draw application and payment process:
How to apply for a big game draw permit PDF
How to pay for an awarded big game draw permit PDF
Deer regulations and restrictions:
Download 2018 summary deer regulations
Download 2018 DeSoto summary deer regulations
Download 2018 mule deer conservation area restrictions
Download 2018 refuge and public land restrictions for statewide deer permits
Firearm unit maps
Antlerless only season choice
Big Game Check-In (Telecheck)
The Nebraska Telecheck Program allows hunters to check deer or antelope by telephone or online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Learn more and access Telecheck
Antelope
Season dates
Archery: Aug. 20, 2018 – Dec. 31, 2018
Muzzleloader: Sept. 15, 2018 –Sept. 30, 2018
Firearm: Oct. 13, 2018 – Oct. 28, 2018
November late doe/fawn: Nov. 1, 2018 – Jan. 31, 2019
Download 2018 summary antelope regulations
Permit application dates
June 11, 2018 after 1:00 pm CST – June 22, 2018
Resident and nonresident application period for draw units. Submit applications online or via mail.
Download 2018 big game application
Download 2018 big game landowner application
Permit sale dates
July 9, 2018 after 1:00 pm CST – close of season
Residents and nonresidents can purchase remaining permits on sale. (all units)
Download step-by-step instructions on the big game draw application and payment process:
How-to apply for a big game draw permit PDF
How-to pay for an awarded big game draw permit PDF
Unit maps
Big Game Check-In (Telecheck)
The Nebraska Telecheck Program allows hunters to check deer or antelope by telephone or online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Learn more and access Telecheck
Elk
Season dates
Archery bull: Sept. 1, 2018 – Oct. 31, 2018
Firearm bull: Sept. 21, 2018 – Oct. 31, 2018
Cow, private land: Aug. 15, 2018 – Oct. 31, 2018; Dec. 1, 2018 – Jan. 15, 2019
Cow, public land: Sept. 21, 2018 – Oct. 31, 2018; Dec. 1, 2018 – Jan. 15, 2019
Download 2018 summary elk regulations
Permit application dates
May 21, 2018 after 1:00 pm CST – June 1, 2018
Landowners application period for draw units. Submit applications online or via mail.
June 11, 2018 after 1:00 pm CST – June 22, 2018
Residents application period for draw units. Submit applications online or via mail.
Download 2018 Landowner Elk Application
Download 2018 elk landowner application zones
Permit sale dates
July 9, 2018 after 1:00 pm CST – close of season
Residents and nonresidents can purchase remaining permits on sale. (all units)
Unit maps
.
Bighorn sheep
Bighorn sheep lottery
This once-in-a-lifetime hunt includes up to four days of guide service from Nebraska Game and Parks staff and up to four nights of meal and lodging at Fort Robinson State Park. Proceeds from the lottery provide support for the management of this historic species in five areas of Nebraska’s panhandle region.
View 2019 bighorn sheep brochure
Season dates
Bighorn sheep: Dec. 3-22, 2019
Permit application dates (after 1:00pm CST)
April 15, 2018 after 1:00 pm CST – Aug. 2, 2019
Residents can apply for the bighorn sheep lottery during this period.
Turkey
Season dates
Spring youth archery: March 25, 2019 – May 31, 2019
Spring archery: March 25, 2019 – May 31, 2019
Spring youth shotgun: April 6, 2019 – May 31, 2019
Spring shotgun: April 13, 2019 – May 31, 2019
Fall youth archery and shotgun: Sept. 15, 2019 – Jan. 31, 2020
Fall archery and shotgun: Sept. 15, 2019 – Jan. 31, 2020
Download spring 2019 turkey regulations
Permit application & sale dates
SPRING: Jan. 14, 2019 – May 31, 2019
Hunters may purchase as many as three spring permits.
FALL: Aug. 14, 2018 after 1:00 pm CST – Jan. 31, 2019
Hunters may purchase as many as two fall permits.
Download turkey application
Download turkey landowner application
Mountain lion
Season dates
The 2019 mountain lion season in the Pine Ridge will take place Jan. 1-Feb. 28, 2019, with an application period from Sept. 4-Sept. 28, 2018.
Mountain lions have recently recolonized three areas in Nebraska: the Pine Ridge, Niobrara River Valley and Wildcat Hills. Dispersing mountain lions have been documented throughout the state including agricultural areas where suitable habitat may be limited. In order to provide hunting opportunities for this species the Commission approved Nebraska’s inaugural mountain lion harvest season during 2014. A second season will be held in 2019. Click here to learn more about mountain lion hunting.
View mountain lion regulations
View Pine Ridge North Sub-unit map
View Pine Ridge South Sub-unit map
The application period for the 2019 season will take place from Sept. 4-Sept. 28, 2018.
Only Nebraska residents are eligible to apply. The $15.00 nonrefundable application fee will not be applied to other units for unsuccessful applicants.
Download application
Multispecies lottery permits
Nebraska offers two big game multi species lotteries for resident and nonresident hunters. One permit in each lottery is awarded annually. The application period for the lotteries generally starts in January and ends in early July.
Learn more
Permit sale dates (after 1:00pm CST)
Super tag and combo applications: Jan. 2, 2018 – July 7, 2018
Upland game seasons
Small game seasons
Squirrel
Aug. 1, 2018 – Jan. 31, 2019
Cottontail and jackrabbit
Sept. 1, 2018 – Feb. 28, 2019
Webless migratory bird seasons
Snipe
Sept. 1, 2018 – Dec. 16, 2018
Virginia and sora rail
Sept. 1, 2018 – Nov. 9, 2018
Woodcock
Sept. 23, 2018 – Nov. 6, 2018
Crow
Oct. 1, 2018 – Nov. 15, 2018; Jan. 20, 2019 – April 6, 2019
Mourning, white-winged, and Eurasian Collared doves (in aggregate)
Sept. 1, 2018 – Oct. 30, 2018
Eurasian collared-dove (only)
Oct. 31, 2018 – Aug. 31, 2019; (year round)
Upland bird seasons
Grouse
Sept. 1, 2018 – Jan. 31, 2019
Pheasant, quail, and partridge
Oct. 27, 2018 – Jan. 31, 2019
Youth pheasant, quail and partridge
Oct. 20 – 21, 2018
Waterfowl seasons
Waterfowl seasons
Dark goose
East unit: Oct. 29, 2018 – Feb. 10, 2019
North central unit: Oct. 6, 2018 – Jan. 18, 2019
Platte River unit: Oct. 29, 2018 – Feb. 10, 2019
Panhandle unit: Oct. 29, 2018 – Feb. 10, 2019
Niobrara unit: Oct. 29, 2018 – Feb. 10, 2019
Download dark goose units map
Light goose
Statewide: Oct. 6, 2018 – Dec. 26, 2018; Jan. 19, 2019 – Feb. 10, 2019
Download light goose conservation order zones map
Light goose conservation order*
East zone: Feb. 11, 2019 – April 15, 2019
Rainwater basin zone: Feb. 11, 2019 – April 5, 2019
West zone: Feb. 11, 2019 – April 5, 2019
Download light goose conservation order rainwater basin zone map
*For special regulations see the Waterfowl Guide on our guides page.
White-fronted goose
Statewide: Oct. 6, 2018 – Dec. 9, 2018; Jan. 19, 2019 – Feb. 10, 2019
Early teal
Low plains: Sept. 1, 2018 – Sept. 16, 2018
High plains: Sept. 1, 2018 – Sept. 9, 2018
Download teal zones map
Duck and coot
Zone 1: Oct. 13, 2018 – Dec. 25, 2018
Zone 2:
____Low plains: Oct. 6, 2018 – Dec. 18, 2018
____High plains: Oct. 6, 2018 – Dec. 18, 2018, Jan. 7 – Jan. 27, 2019
Zone 3:
____Low plains: Oct. 25, 2018 – Jan. 6, 2019
____High plains: Oct. 25, 2018 – Jan. 6, 2019; Jan. 7 – Jan. 27, 2019
Zone 4: Oct. 6, 2018 – Dec. 18, 2018
Download duck zones – low plains detailed map
Download duck zones – high plains detailed map
Download duck – statewide zones map
Youth
Zone 1: Oct. 6, 2018 – Oct 7, 2018
Zone 2: Sept. 29, 2018 – Sept. 30, 2018
Zone 3: Oct. 20, 2018 – Oct. 21, 2018
Zone 4: Sept. 29, 2018 – Sept. 30, 2018
Furbearer seasons
Furbearer seasons
Muskrat, beaver
Trap only: Nov. 1– March 31
Badger
Hunt and trap: Nov. 1 – Feb. 28
Mink
Hunt and trap: Nov. 1 – Feb. 28
Bobcat
Hunt and trap: Dec. 1 – Feb. 28
Running, no harvest: March 1 – Nov. 30
Raccoon
Hunt only: Sept. 1, 2018 – Oct. 31, 2018
Hunt and trap: Nov. 1, 2018 – Feb. 28, 2019
Running, no harvest: March 1, 2018 – Aug. 31, 2018
Virginia opossum
Hunt only: Sept. 1, 2018 – Oct. 31, 2018
Hunt and trap: Nov. 1, 2018 – Feb. 29, 2018
Running, no harvest: March 1, 2018 – Aug. 31, 2019
Striped skunk
Hunt and trap: year-round
Long-tailed weasel
Hunt and trap: Nov. 1, 2018– Feb. 28, 2018
Red fox
Hunt and trap: Nov. 1, 2018 – Feb. 28, 2018
Running, no harvest: March 1, 2018 – Oct. 31, 2018
Permits are valid only for species-specific season, weapon and unit/area for which was issued.
Permits are not transferable, refundable and cannot be exchanged for another.
