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. More information about each season can be found in the hunting guides. Complete regulations and Commission orders can be found on the regulations page.
Big game seasons
Deer
Season dates
Archery: Sept. 1, 2017 – Dec. 31, 2017
November firearm: Nov. 11, 2017 – Nov. 19, 2017
Muzzleloader: Dec. 1, 2017 – Dec. 31, 2017
Late firearm (antlerless only): Jan. 1, 2018 – Jan. 15, 2018
Download 2017 summary deer regulations
Download 2017 DeSoto summary deer regulations
Download 2017 mule deer conservation area restrictions
Download 2017 refuge and public land restrictions for statewide deer permits
Permit application dates (after 1:00pm CST)
Residents and nonresidents (draw units): June 12, 2017 – June 23, 2017
Permit sale dates (after 1:00pm CST)
Residents and nonresidents (all units): July 10, 2017 – close of season
Download 2017 big game application
Download 2017 big game landowner application
Apply/buy online
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, 2017 – Dec. 31, 2017
Muzzleloader: Sept. 16, 2017 – Oct. 1, 2017
Firearm: Oct. 14, 2017 – Oct. 29, 2017
November late doe/fawn: Nov. 1, 2017 – Jan. 31, 2018
Download 2017 summary antelope regulations
Permit application dates (after 1:00pm CST)
Residents and landowners: June 12, 2017 – June 23, 2017
Residents, nonresidents and landowners: July 10, 2017 – close of season
Download 2017 big game application
Download 2017 big game landowner application
Apply/buy online
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. 15, 2017 – Oct. 29, 2017
Firearm bull: Sept. 30, 2017 – Oct. 29, 2017
Cow, private land: Aug. 15, 2017 – Oct. 29, 2017; Dec. 1, 2017 – Dec. 31, 2017
Cow, public land: Sept. 30, 2017 – Oct. 29, 2017; Dec. 1, 2017 – Dec. 31, 2017
Download 2017 summary elk regulations
Permit application dates (after 1:00pm CST)
Landowners: May 15, 2017 – June 2, 2017
Residents: June 12, 2017 – June 23, 2017
Landowners and residents: July 10, 2017 – close of season
Download 2017 elk landowner application
Download 2017 elk landowner application zones
Apply/buy online
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 2017 bighorn sheep brochure
Season dates
Bighorn sheep: Nov. 28, 2017 – Dec. 22, 2017
Permit application dates (after 1:00pm CST)
Resident bighorn sheep lottery: April 17, 2017 – Aug. 4, 2017
Apply/buy online
Turkey
Season dates
Spring youth archery: March 25, 2017 – May 31, 2017
Spring archery: March 25, 2017 – May 31, 2017
Spring youth shotgun: April 8, 2017 – May 31, 2017
Spring shotgun: April 15, 2017 – May 31, 2017
Fall youth archery and shotgun: Sept. 15, 2017 – Jan. 31, 2018
Fall archery and shotgun: Sept. 15, 2017 – Jan. 31, 2018
Download fall 2017 summary turkey regulations
Permit sale dates (after 1:00pm CST)
Spring season: Jan. 9, 2017 – May 31, 2017
Fall season: Aug. 14, 2017 – Jan. 31, 2018
Download 2017 turkey application
Download 2017 turkey landowner application
Apply/buy online
Mountain lion
Season dates
Mountain lion: No season has been authorized for 2017.
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, 2017 – July 7, 2017
Apply/buy online
Upland game seasons
Small game seasons
Squirrel
Aug. 1, 2017 – Jan. 31, 2018
Cottontail and jackrabbit
Sept. 1, 2017 – Feb. 28, 2018
Webless migratory bird seasons
Snipe
Sept. 1, 2017 – Dec. 16, 2017
Virginia and sora rail
Sept. 1, 2017 – Nov. 9, 2017
Woodcock
Sept. 23, 2017 – Nov. 6, 2017
Crow
Oct. 1, 2017 – Nov. 15, 2017; Jan. 20, 2018 – April 6, 2018
Dove (mourning, white-winged)
Sept. 1, 2017 – Oct. 30, 2017
Eurasian collared-dove
Oct. 31, 2017 – Aug. 31, 2018; (year round)
Upland bird seasons
Grouse
Sept. 1, 2017 – Jan. 31, 2018
Pheasant, quail, and partridge
Oct. 28, 2017 – Jan. 31, 2018
Youth pheasant, quail and partridge
Oct. 21, 2016 – Oct. 22, 2017
Waterfowl seasons
Waterfowl seasons
Dark goose
East unit: Oct. 30, 2017 – Feb. 11, 2018
North central unit: Oct. 7, 2017 – Jan. 19, 2018
Platte River unit: Oct. 30, 2017 – Feb. 11, 2018
Panhandle unit: Oct. 30, 2017 – Feb. 11, 2018
Niobrara unit: Oct. 30, 2017 – Feb. 11, 2018
Download dark goose units map
Light goose
Statewide: Oct. 8, 2016 – Jan. 1, 2017; Jan. 25, 2017 – Feb. 12, 2017
Download light goose conservation order zones map
Light goose conservation order*
East zone: Feb. 13, 2017 – April 15, 2017
Rainwater basin zone: Feb. 13, 2017 – April 5, 2017
West zone: Feb. 13, 2017 – April 5, 2017
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. 7, 2017 – Dec. 10, 2017; Feb. 3, 2018 – Feb. 11, 2018
Early teal
Low plains: Sept. 2, 2017 – Sept. 17, 2017
High plains: Sept. 2, 2017 – Sept. 10, 2017
Download teal zones map
Duck and coot
Zone 1: Oct. 14, 2017 – Dec. 26, 2017
Zone 2:
____Low plains: Oct. 7, 2017 – Dec. 19, 2017
____High plains: Oct. 7, 2017 – Dec. 19, 2017, Jan. 8, 2017 – Jan. 28, 2018
Zone 3:
____Low plains: Oct. 26, 2017 – Jan. 7, 2018
____High plains: Oct. 26, 2017 – Jan. 7, 2018; Jan. 8, 2017 – Jan. 28, 2018
Zone 4: Oct. 7, 2017 – Dec. 19, 2018
Download duck zones – low plains detailed map
Download duck zones – high plains detailed map
Download duck – statewide zones map
Youth
Zone 1: Oct. 8, 2016 – Oct 9, 2016
Zone 2: Oct. 1, 2016 – Oct 2, 2016
Zone 3: Oct. 22, 2016 – Oct. 23, 2016
Zone 4: Oct. 1, 2016 – Oct 2, 2016
Furbearer seasons
Furbearer seasons
Muskrat, beaver
Trap only: Nov. 1, 2017 – March 31, 2018
Badger
Hunt and trap: Nov. 1, 2017 – Feb. 28, 2018
Mink
Hunt and trap: Nov. 1, 2017 – Feb. 28, 2018
Bobcat
Hunt and trap: Dec. 1, 2017 – Feb. 28, 2018
Running, no harvest: March 1, 2017 – Nov. 30, 2018
Raccoon
Hunt only: Sept. 1, 2017 – Oct. 31, 2018
Hunt and trap: Nov. 1, 2017 – Feb. 28, 2018
Running, no harvest: March 1, 2017 – Aug. 31, 2017
Virginia opossum
Hunt only: Sept. 1, 2017 – Oct. 31, 2018
Hunt and trap: Nov. 1, 2017 – Feb. 29, 2018
Running, no harvest: March 1, 2017 – Aug. 31, 2017
Striped skunk
Hunt and trap: year-round
Long-tailed weasel
Hunt and trap: Nov. 1, 2017 – Feb. 28, 2018
Red fox
Hunt and trap: Nov. 1, 2017 – Feb. 28, 2018
Running, no harvest: March 1, 2017 – Oct. 31, 2017
