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.
Big game seasons
Download printable season dates card
Deer
2021 Tentative Season Dates
2021
Archery: Sept. 1, 2021 – Dec. 31, 2021
November firearm: Nov. 13, 2021-Nov. 21, 2021
Muzzleloader: Dec. 1, 2021 – Dec. 31, 2021
Antlerless Late Season: Jan. 1, 2021-Jan. 15, 2021; Jan. 1, 2022 – Jan. 15, 2022
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. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission provides information on the previous year’s draw results. 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.)
Tentative 2021 application dates
June 14, 2021 after 1:00 pm CST – June 25, 2021
Resident and nonresident application period for draw units. Submit applications online or via mail.
Download the big game application
Download big game landowner application
Landowner additional land form
Tentative permit sale dates
Aug. 2, 2021 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 2020 summary deer regulations
Download 2020 mule deer conservation area restrictions
Download 2020 refuge and public land restrictions for statewide deer permits
Download Deer Species Information
DeSoto Bend NWR Deer Hunting Information
Boyer Chute NWR Deer Hunting Information
Gifford WMA Deer Hunting Draw Application
Deer Management Unit Maps
Additional AOSC Units
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
2021 Tentative Season Dates
Archery: Aug. 20, 2021 – Dec. 31, 2021
Muzzleloader: Sept. 18, 2021 – Oct. 3, 2021
Firearm: Oct. 9, 2021 – Oct. 24, 2021
November late doe/fawn: Nov. 1, 2021 – Jan. 31, 2022
Download 2020 summary antelope regulations
Tentative 2021 permit application dates
June 14, 2021 after 1:00 pm CST – June 25, 2021
Resident and nonresident application period for draw units. Submit applications online or via mail. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission provides information on the previous year’s draw results.
Download big game application
Download big game landowner application
Tentative permit sale dates
Aug. 2, 2021 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
2021 Tentative Season Dates
Archery bull: Sept. 1, 2021 – Oct. 31, 2021
Firearm bull: Sept. 21, 2021 – Oct. 31, 2021
Antlerless Aug. 1, 2021 – Jan. 1, 2022
Download 2020 summary elk regulations
Tentative permit application dates
May 17, 2021 after 1:00 pm CST – June 4, 2021
Landowners application period for draw units. Submit Application
2020 Landowner Elk Zone Description
June 14, 2021 after 1:00 pm CST – June 25, 2021
Residents application period for draw units. Application and application fee to be delivered to specific Commission district offices depending on unit. See Big Game Guide for additional information.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission provides information on the previous year’s draw results.
Tentative permit sale dates
Aug. 2, 2021 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 2020 bighorn sheep brochure
Season dates
2021 Tentative Season Dates: Nov. 30, 2021-Dec. 22, 2021
Tentative 2021 permit application dates (after 1:00pm CST)
April 19, 2021 after 1:00 pm CST – Aug. 6, 2021
Residents can apply for the bighorn sheep lottery during this period.
Turkey
2021 Season Dates
Spring archery: March 25, 2021 – May 31, 2021
Spring youth shotgun: April 10, 2021 – May 31, 2021
Spring shotgun: April 17, 2021 – May 31, 2021
Fall youth archery and shotgun: Sept. 15, 2020 – Jan. 31, 2021
Fall archery and shotgun: Sept. 15, 2020 – Jan. 31, 2021; Sept. 15, 2021-Jan. 31, 2022
Download spring 2021 turkey regulations
2021 permit application & sale dates
SPRING: Jan. 11, 2021 – May 31, 2021
Hunters may purchase as many as three spring permits.
FALL: Aug. 9, 2021 after 1:00 pm CST – Jan. 31, 2022
Hunters may purchase as many as two fall permits.
Download turkey application
Download turkey landowner application
Mountain lion
Season dates
The 2021 mountain lion season in the Pine Ridge runs from Jan. 2-Feb. 28, 2021, with an application period from Nov. 2 – Dec. 9, 2020.
Mountain lions have 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 fourth season will be held in 2021. Click here to learn more about mountain lion hunting.
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, 2021 – July 2, 2021
Small game seasons
Upland game birds
Pheasant, quail, and partridge
Oct. 31, 2020 – Jan. 31, 2021
Prairie Grouse
Sept. 1, 2020 – Jan. 31, 2021; Sept. 1, 2020 – Jan. 31, 2021
*special permit required east of U.S. 81
Youth pheasant, quail and partridge
Oct. 23-24, 2021
Webless migratory birds
Mourning, white-winged, and Eurasian collared-doves (in aggregate)
Sept 1., 2020 – Oct. 30, 2020
Eurasian collared-dove (only)
Year-Round
Snipe
Sept. 1, 2020 – Dec. 16, 2020
Virginia and sora rail
Sept. 1, 2020 – Nov. 9, 2020
Woodcock
Oct. 3, 2020 – Nov. 16, 2020
Crow
Oct. 15, 2020 – Dec. 15, 2020; Jan. 13, 2021 – March 14, 2021
Other small game
Squirrel
Aug. 1, 2020 – Jan. 31, 2021; Aug. 1, 2021-Jan. 31, 2022
Cottontail
Sept. 1, 2020 – Feb. 28, 2021; Sept. 1, 2021-Feb. 28, 2022
Jackrabbit
Allowed west of U.S. 81 only
Sept. 1, 2020 – Feb. 28, 2021; Sept. 1, 2020 – Feb. 28, 2021; Sept. 1, 2021-Feb. 28, 2022
For additional information and other regulations, find the Small Game and Waterfowl Guide here.
Waterfowl seasons
Waterfowl seasons
Dark goose
East unit: Oct. 26, 2020 – Feb. 7, 2021
North central unit: Oct. 3, 2020 – Jan. 15, 2021
Platte River unit: Oct. 26, 2020 – Feb. 7, 2021
Panhandle unit: Oct. 26, 2020 – Feb. 7, 2021
Niobrara unit: Oct. 26, 2020 – Feb. 7, 2021
Daily bag limit: five; Possession limit: Three times the daily bag limit.
White-fronted goose
Statewide: Oct. 3, 2020 – Dec. 6, 2020; Jan. 16, 2021 – Feb. 7, 2021
Daily bag limit: two; Possession limit: Three times the daily bag limit.
Light goose
Statewide: Oct. 3, 2020 – Dec. 23, 2020; Jan. 16, 2021 – Feb. 7, 2021
Download light goose conservation order zones map
Daily bag limit: 50; Possession limit: None.
Light goose conservation order*
East zone: Feb. 8, 2021 – April 15, 2021
Rainwater basin zone: Feb. 8, 2021 – April 5, 2021
West zone: Feb. 8, 2021 – April 5, 2021
Download light goose conservation order rainwater basin zone map
Daily bag and possession limits: None.
*For special regulations see the Waterfowl Guide on our guides page.
Early teal
Low plains: Sept. 5, 2020 – Sept. 20, 2020
High plains: Sept. 5, 2020 – Sept. 13, 2020
Download teal zones map
Duck and coot
Zone 1: Oct. 10, 2020 – Dec. 22, 2020
Zone 2:
____Low plains: Oct. 3, 2020 – Dec. 15, 2020
____High plains: Oct. 3, 2020 – Dec. 15, 2020, Jan. 6 – Jan. 27, 2021
Zone 3:
____Low plains: Oct. 24, 2020 – Jan. 5, 2021
____High plains: Oct. 24, 2020 – Jan. 5, 2021; Jan. 6 – Jan. 27, 2021
Zone 4: Oct. 3, 2020 – Dec. 15, 2020
Daily bag limit: six (with restrictions); Possession limit: Three times the daily bag limit.
Download duck zones – low plains detailed map
Download duck zones – high plains detailed map
Download duck – statewide zones map
Youth
Zone 1: Oct. 3, 2020 – Oct 4, 2020
Zone 2: Sept. 26, 2020 – Sept. 27, 2020
Zone 3: Oct. 17, 2020 – Oct. 18, 2020
Zone 4: Sept. 26, 2020 – Sept. 27, 2020
Daily bag and possession limits same as regular duck season.
Falconry
Concurrent with teal, youth and regular duck season dates, plus:
Zone 1: Feb. 25-March 10
Zone 2:
____Low Plains: Feb. 25-March 10
____High Plains: Concurrent with all duck season dates in High Plains Zone
Zone 3:
____Low Plains: Feb. 25-March 10
____High Plains: Concurrent with all duck season dates in High Plains Zone
Zone 4: Feb. 25-March 10
Furbearer seasons
Furbearer seasons
Muskrat, beaver
Trap only: Nov. 1– March 31
Badger
Hunt and trap: Nov. 1 – end of Feb.
Mink
Hunt and trap: Nov. 1 – end of Feb.
Bobcat
Hunt and trap: Dec. 1 – end of Feb.
Running, no harvest: March 1 – Nov. 30
Raccoon
Hunt only: Sept. 1, 2020 – Oct. 31, 2020
Hunt and trap: Nov. 1, 2020 – end of Feb., 2021
Running, no harvest: March 1, 2020 – Aug. 17, 2020
Virginia opossum
Hunt only: Sept. 1, 2020 – Oct. 31, 2020
Hunt and trap: Nov. 1, 2020 – end of Feb., 2021
Running, no harvest: March 1, 2020 – Aug. 17, 2020
Striped skunk
Hunt and trap: year-round
Long-tailed weasel
Hunt and trap: Nov. 1, 2020– end of Feb., 2021
Red fox
Hunt and trap: Nov. 1, 2020 – end of Feb., 2021
Running, no harvest: March 1, 2020 – Oct. 31, 2020
Gray fox
Hunt and trap: Nov. 1, 2020 – end of Feb., 2021
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.
