The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is the arm of the Nebraska state government charged with managing the state’s fish, wildlife, park and outdoor recreation resources in the best long-term interests of the people and those resources. Much of how the Commission functions is outlined in state statute.

Because the Commission oversees a variety of activities, it would be nearly impossible for the Legislature to address every situation with statutes. Therefore, the Commission has been granted the authority by the Legislature to establish orders, rules and regulations.

To establish rules and regulations, the Commission must give public notice, conduct a public hearing and then approve the new rules and regulations. Regulations become effective after they have been signed by the governor.

The creation of Commission orders was authorized by the Nebraska Legislature in 2013. To establish a Commission order, the Commission must also give public notice, conduct a public meeting and then vote to approve the new order. However, unlike with rules and regulations, orders take effect 15 days after approval. Commission orders are generally limited to defining species-specific open seasons, bag limits and size limits for hunting, fur-harvesting and fishing.

This page displays the current orders, rules and regulations. If you require a certified copy of any part of these Orders, Rules and Regulations, you can make a request to the Director of the Commission at: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2200 N. 33rd Street, P.O. Box 30370, Lincoln, NE 68503-0370 or the Secretary of State, P.O. Box 94608, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68508-2022.

Regulations

Final regulations

• Administration regulations
• Fisheries regulations
• Boating regulations
• Wildlife regulations
• Parks regulations
• Shooting ranges and hunter education regulations

Proposed regulations

• Proposed regulations are housed on the Nebraska Secretary of State website.

Orders

Approved orders

• Order C05: Game Birds (not including turkey, coots and migratory waterfowl), Furbearers, Cottontail Rabbit and Squirrels (adopted June 17, 2022; effective July 2, 2022)
• Order C03: Antelope, Deer and Elk Hunting (adopted April 28, 2022; effective May 13, 2022). Learn more about these orders by reading our Big Game Recommendations.
• Order C06: Coot, Duck, Goose and Crow Hunting (adopted March 23, 2022; effective April 7, 2022)
• Order C06: Sport Fishing (Proposed Oct. 2021; effective Jan. 1, 2022)
• Order C14: Mountain Sheep (adopted Aug. 27, 2021; effective Sept. 12, 2021)
• Order C14: Mountain Sheep (adopted Aug. 31, 2022; effective Sept. 15, 2022)
• Order C02: Wild Turkey (adopted Aug. 31, 2022; effective Sept. 15, 2022)

Proposed orders

• Order C06: Sport Fishing (Proposed September 2022)

Public Hearing Notices

Our public hearings are during the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission meetings six times a year. The agenda is posted on our Public Notices page before each meeting, and minutes from previous meetings are posted.