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Deer Hunting Regulations

Name: eRegulations
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New for 2023

DEER

Mule Deer Conservation Area – Archery season is included on all Mule Deer Conservation Area permits, making them valid during the archery, November firearm and muzzleloader seasons.

Antlerless mule deer restriction – Antlerless mule deer harvest is prohibited statewide on all lands open to public hunting, except land in the Open Fields and Waters Program.

Nonresident permit quotas – Nonresidents will be limited to 10,000 either-sex or buck-only permits; landowner and youth permits are excluded. Nonresidents now will be limited to 15% of the total permit allocations for Calamus West, Plains, Sandhills and Upper Platte November Firearm and Frenchman MDCA permits.

Nonresident Statewide Archery – The permit quota is reduced to 3,000, and the permit no longer is valid for mule deer in the Mule Deer Conservation Area.

Nonresident Statewide Muzzleloader – The permit quota is reduced to 1,000.

Pine Ridge MDCA – This has been changed to a "draw" permit. Interested hunters should apply during the June application period. See page 6.

LANDOWNER PERMITS

New Permit System – There are significant changes within the permit system that affect landowner permits. Lands and Immediate Family are associated with each Qualifying Landowner and listed only on the Qualifying Landowner’s profile. Land also will be identified through Parcel Number instead of legal descriptions. See OutdoorNebraska.gov and search "landowner permits" for details.

Special Landowner Deer – The Special Landowner Deer permit will be available to be purchased online through the new permit system starting in 2023.

NIGHT-VISION SCOPES

It is unlawful to possess night-vision scopes while hunting game animals and game birds.

2023 FORECAST

2022 saw significant declines in whitetail and mule deer harvests. Statewide, mule deer buck harvest in 2022 was the lowest since 1981. There havebeen significant reductions in permit quotas and bag limits across much of the state. Read the permit details so you are aware of these changes aheadof your hunting season.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF DEER

Buck – A deer having at least one antler 6 inches or more in length.
Antlerless – A deer with no antlers or antlers less than 6 inches in length.

PERMIT MAXIMUMS

Individuals may only have two permits that allow the harvest of a buck per year. Beyond unit quotas, there is no individual limit to the number ofantlerless permits.

“SEASON CHOICE” EXPLAINED

Many permits utilize a “season choice” format. These permits are valid for the entire season and the method of take is open to the legal method of thecurrent open season, which includes Archery, November Firearm, Muzzleloader and may include Late Firearm Antlerless. Landowner, Youth, Statewide Whitetail Buck, Antlerless Only and River Antlerless permits all follow this format of allowing hunters their choice of weapon based on theopen season. The Special Landowner Season is not considered an "open" season for permits of this format. Follow the season dates on the permit.

PERMIT DRAWING

Frenchman MDCA, Pine Ridge MDCA and Platte MDCA permits are DRAW units and available during the application period.
The deer drawing is a preference point-based system, and those applicants who were unsuccessful are given a preference point towardfuture drawings.
In lieu of participating in the draw, hunters may purchase one deer preference point per year during the application period.
Permits are awarded to applicants with the highest number of points first until the permit quota is filled.
All points are lost once a permit is awarded during the drawing, whether first or second choice.
Draw results from previous years can be found at OutdoorNebraska.gov.
Any forfeited permits may be made available to the next unsuccessful applicant(s), then may go on sale Aug. 7, 2023.

NONRESIDENT EITHER-SEX/BUCK-ONLY PERMIT QUOTA

Nonresidents will be limited to 10,000 either-sex or buck-only permits; landowner and youth permits are excluded. No more than 3,000 Archeryand 1,000 Muzzleloader permits will be sold to nonresidents.

STATEWIDE DEER
Statewide permits are valid statewide for the bag limit and season dates listed. Restrictions are noted.
Permit Name	Quota	Bag Limit	Season Dates	Special Unit Restrictions	Permit Fee (R/NR)
Statewide Archery	R - UNL	1 AD	Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023	Yes, see page 18	$37/$285
	NR - 3,000	1 AD*
Statewide Muzzleloader	R - UNL	1 AD*	Dec. 1 – 31, 2023	Yes, see page 18	$37/$285
	NR - 1,000
Statewide Whitetail Buck	8,000	1 WT Buck	Archery: Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023 Firearm: Nov. 11 – 19, 2023 Muzzleloader: Dec. 1 – 31, 2023	No	$88/$707
Restricted Statewide Buck	1,000	1 Buck	Nov. 11 – 19, 2023	Not valid for MD in MDCA	$128/$698
Statewide Buck	R - 70	1 Buck	Nov. 11 – 19, 2023	No	$173/$938
	NR - 30
* a mule deer may not be taken in the Mule Deer Conservation Area Antlerless mule deer may not be taken on lands open to public hunting, except Open Fields andWaters lands.

YOUTH DEER
Youth permits are valid statewide for the bag limit and season dates listed. Restrictions are noted.
Permit Fee	Resident: $8 Nonresident: $8
Season Dates	Archery: Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023 November Firearm: Nov. 11 – 19, 2023 Muzzleloader: Dec. 1 – 31, 2023 Late Firearm Antlerless: Jan. 1 – 15, 2024 (antlerless only)
Permit Name		Quota	Bag Limit	Special Unit Restrictions
Resident Youth		UNL	1 AD	Yes, see page 18
NR Restricted Youth		UNL	1 AD	Yes, see page 18; Not valid in Frenchman, Pine Ridge orPlatte units.
Youth Whitetail		UNL	1 WT	Yes, see page 18
RESTRICTIONS: Age Requirements: Youth age 10-15 may hunt with a youth deer permit. Youth may apply for adraw unit permit at age 9 provided they are age 10 by the start of the season. Youth age 16 may hunton youth deer permits provided they are age 15 when they apply and provided they are age 15 onSept. 1 (start of the season) of the calendar year. A Habitat Stamp is required at age 16. Permit Limit: Youth may have two permits, but only one may allow the harvest of a mule deer. Habitat Stamp: Required for nonresident youth. NR Restricted Youth is not valid in Frenchman, Pine Ridge or Platte management units. Antlerless mule deer may not be taken on lands open to public hunting, except Open Fields andWaters lands.

NOVEMBER FIREARM
November Firearm season permits are issued on a management unit basis and are valid for the bag limit and season dates listed. Restrictions are noted.
Permit Fee	Resident: $37 Nonresident: $285
Season Dates	November Firearm: Nov. 11 – 19, 2023

Permit Name		Quota	Bag Limit	Special Unit Restrictions	2022 Sell-Out Date
Blue Northwest		2,400	1 AD	No	Nov. 2, 2022
Blue Southeast		3,700	1 AD	No	Nov. 7, 2022
Buffalo WT		1,800	1 WT	No	Nov. 12, 2022
Calamus East		1,200	1 AD2	No	DNS
Calamus West *		1,600	1 AD2, 2 AOWT	Yes, see page 18	Nov. 11, 2022
Elkhorn		2,700	1 AD	No	Nov. 1, 2022
Frenchman WT		1,000	1 WT	Yes, see page 18	Oct. 26, 2022
Keya Paha		2,500	1 AD2, 2 AOWT	No	DNS
Loup East		3,000	1 AD2, 2 AOWT	No	Nov. 12, 2022
Loup West		1,000	1 AD2	No	Oct. 31, 2022
Loup West WT		800	1 WT	No	DNS
Missouri		3,200	1 AD	No	Nov. 11, 2022
Pine Ridge WT		1,000	1 WT	No	Nov. 7, 2022
Plains *		1,000	1 AD2, 2 AOWT	Yes, see page 18	Nov. 12, 2022
Plains WT		300	1 WT, 2 AOWT	No	New in 2023
Platte WT		900	1 WT	No	Nov. 11, 2022
Republican WT		2,500	1 WT	No	Nov. 3, 2022
Sandhills *		1,500	1 AD2, 2 AOWT	Yes, see page 18	Sept. 10, 2022
Sandhills WT		500	1 WT, 2 AOWT	Yes, see page 18	Nov. 16, 2022
Upper Platte *		1,000	1 AD2	No	Oct. 19, 2022
Wahoo		3,800	1 AD	No	Nov. 6, 2022

RESTRICTIONS: See page 18 for special unit restrictions. See page 30 for special access permit areas and the Public Access Atlas for access details. Antlerless mule deer may not be taken on lands open to public hunting, except Open Fields andWaters lands. * 15% nonresident permit allocation

TABLE ABBREVIATIONS:

R – Resident

AD – Any deer/any mule deer or whitetail

NR – Nonresident

AO – Antlerless Only

AD2 – Any deer except antlerless mule deer

AOSC – Antlerless Only Season Choice

MDCA – Mule Deer Conservation Area

WT – Whitetail Deer

AOWT – Antlerless Only Whitetail

MD – Mule Deer

DNS – Did Not Sell Out

UNL – Unlimited

ANTLERLESS ONLY SEASON CHOICE
These permits are issued on a management unit basis and valid for the bag limit and season dates listed.
Permit Fee	Resident: $37 Nonresident: $82
Season Dates	Archery: Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023 November Firearm: Nov. 11 – 19, 2023 Muzzleloader: Dec. 1 – 31, 2023 Late Firearm Antlerless: Jan. 1 – 15, 2024
Permit Name		Quota	Bag Limit	Special Unit Restrictions	2022 Sell-Out Date
Blue NW AOSC		2,200	1 AOWT	No	Dec. 31, 2022
Blue SE AOSC		2,400	1 AOWT	No	Dec. 12, 2022
Buffalo AOSC		1,000	2 AOWT	No	DNS
Buffalo North AOSC		50	1 AO, 1 AOWT	No	Nov. 19, 2022
Calamus East AOSC		200	1 AOWT	No	DNS
Calamus West AOSC		200	3 AOWT	Yes, see page 18	DNS
Elkhorn AOSC		250	1 AOWT	No	Aug. 11, 2022
Elkhorn West AOSC		350	1 AOWT	No	DNS
Frenchman AOSC		75	1 AO, 1 AOWT	Yes, see page 18	July 13, 2022
Frenchman No. WT AOSC		500	2 AOWT	Yes, see page 18	Dec. 12, 2022
Frenchman So. WT AOSC		200	1 AOWT	Yes, see page 18	Nov. 9, 2022
Frenchman West AOSC		250	1 AO, 1 AOWT	Yes, see page 18	Sept. 8, 2022
Southwest Res. AOSC		100	1 AOWT	No	DNS
Keya Paha AOSC		500	3 AOWT	No	DNS
Loup East AOSC		1,500	3 AOWT	No	DNS
Loup West AOSC		100	1 AO, 1 AOWT	No	Nov. 11, 2022
Loup West WT AOSC		300	2 AOWT	No	DNS
Missouri AOSC		1,000	1 AOWT	No	DNS
Pine Ridge AOSC		100	1 AO, 1 AOWT	Yes, see page 18	Aug. 21, 2022
Pine Ridge WT AOSC		600	2 AOWT	No	DNS
Plains AOSC		100	1 AO, 2 AOWT	Yes, see page 18	Nov. 7, 2022
Plains WT AOSC		300	3 AOWT	No	DNS
Platte AOSC		100	1 AO, 1 AOWT	No	Aug. 12, 2022
Platte WT AOSC		400	2 AOWT	No	Dec. 7, 2022
Platte North AOSC		200	1 AO, 1 AOWT	No	Oct. 27, 2022
Republican AOSC		1,200	2 AOWT	Yes, see page 18	DNS
Harlan County Res. AOSC		100	2 AOWT	No	Aug. 1, 2022
Sandhills AOSC		100	1 AO, 2 AOWT	Yes, see page 18	DNS
Sandhills WT AOSC		300	3 AOWT	Yes, see page 18	DNS
Upper Platte AOSC		100	1 AO, 1 AOWT	No	Sept. 2, 2022
Upper Platte WT AOSC		200	2 AOWT	No	DNS
Wahoo AOSC		1,900	1 AOWT	No	Nov. 16, 2022
RESTRICTIONS: AOSC permits are valid for the legal method of take during Archery, November Firearm, Muzzleloader and Late FirearemAntlerless seasons. Antlerless mule deer may not be taken on lands open to public hunting, except Open Fields and Waters lands. See page 18 for special unit restrictions. See page 30 for special access permit areas and the Public Access Atlas for accessdetails. See table abbreviations on page 12.

MULE DEER CONSERVATION AREA
Mule deer populations have declined in some units due to habitat conversion to row crops andbrainworm disease. Those issues and increased demand for mule deer permits required achange to permit structure in 2012. The Mule Deer Conservation Area comprises the Buffalo,Frenchman, Platte, Pine Ridge and Republican deer management units.
Permit Fee	Resident: $44* Nonresident: $292* *Includes $7 nonrefundable application fee for draw permits
Season Dates	Firearm: Nov. 11 – 19, 2023 Archery: Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023 Muzzleloader: Dec. 1 – 31, 2023
Permit Name	Quota	Bag Limit	Special Unit Restrictions	2022 Sell-Out Date
Buffalo MDCA	1,000	1 AD2, 1 AOWT	Yes, see below	Aug. 1, 2022
Frenchman MDCA	1,400	1 AD2 1 AOWT	Yes, see below	Draw
Pine Ridge MDCA	1,200	1 AD2	Yes, see below	Draw
Platte MDCA	900	1 AD2, 1 AOWT	Yes, see below	Draw
Republican MD Buck	50	1 MD Buck	Yes, see below	Nov. 3, 2022
RESTRICTIONS: No person may obtain more than one MDCA or one Republican MD permit. Antlerless mule deer may not be taken on lands open to public hunting, except Open Fields andWaters lands. Statewide muzzleloader and nonresident archery permits are not valid for mule deer in theMDCA. Statewide resident archery permits are valid for mule deer and are available all season. Due to high demand, Frenchman MDCA, Pine Ridge and Platte MDCA are allocated via drawing inJune. The nonresident allocation is: Frenchman MDCA – 15% to nonresidents Platte MDCA – 15% to nonresidents Pine Ridge MDCA– 15% to nonresidents Frenchman MDCA permits: bonus antlerless tags are not valid on Enders, Swanson, Red Willow and Medicine Creek WMA/SRA.

RIVER ANTLERLESS PRIVATE LAND ONLY
The River Antlerless Deer Permit is issued for the unit defined below and is valid on private landonly for the bag limit and season dates listed. Restrictions are noted.
Permit Fee	Resident: $14 Nonresident: $82
Season Dates	Archery: Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023 Firearm: Oct. 1 – 15, 2023; Nov. 11 – 19, 2023 Muzzleloader: Dec. 1 – 31, 2023 Late River Antlerless: Jan. 1 – 31, 2024
Permit Name	Quota	Bag Limit	Special Unit Restrictions	2022 Sell-Out Date
River Antlerless	12,000	2 AOWT	No	DNS
RESTRICTIONS: River Antlerless permits are valid for the legal method during Archery, October Firearm,November Firearm, Muzzleloader and Late River Antlerless seasons. Antlerless mule deer may not be taken on lands open to public hunting, except Open Fields andWaters lands. Closed Area: All federal and state lands. Open Area: That portion of Nebraska east of the boundary commencing with U.S. Hwy. 281from the Nebraska-South Dakota state line, thence south on U.S. Hwy. 281 to NebraskaHwy. 12, thence east on Nebraska Hwy. 12 to U.S. Hwy. 20, thence east on U.S. Hwy. 20 to U.S.Hwy. 75, thence south on U.S. Hwy. 75 to Nebraska Hwy. 133, thence south on Nebraska Hwy.133 to U.S. Hwy. 6, thence east on U.S. Hwy. 6 to Interstate 480, thence south on Interstate 480to U.S. Hwy. 75, thence south on U.S. Hwy. 75 to Nebraska Hwy. 67, thence east and south onNebraska Hwy. 67 to U.S. Hwy. 136, thence east on U.S. Hwy. 136 to Nebraska Hwy. 67, thencesouth on Nebraska Hwy. 67 to U.S. Hwy. 73, thence east and south on U.S. Hwy. 73 to theNebraska-Kansas state line. 3 miles of the landward banks of the Missouri, Platte, North Platte, South Platte, Loupand Keya Paha rivers. 3 miles of the landward banks of the following portions of Nebraska rivers: From the mouth of Long Pine Creek to a point 5 miles south of U.S. Hwy. 20 whereLong Pine Creek crosses the west side of Section 19, T29N R20W. The Republican River from the Nebraska-Kansas line to Nebraska Hwy. 89. From the mouth of Plum Creek in Brown County to U.S. Hwy. 20. The South Loup River from the mouth to U.S. Hwy. 83. The Niobrara River from the mouth to Nebraska Hwy. 27. The Elkhorn River from the mouth to the Rock County line. The south fork of the Elkhorn River from the mouth to Nebraska Hwy. 11. The North Loup River from the mouth to Nebraska Hwy. 97. The Cedar River from the mouth to Nebraska Hwy. 11. The Middle Loup River from the mouth to Nebraska Hwy. 61. The White River between the intersection of the White River and Nebraska Hwy. 71 northeasterly to the intersection of the White River and the Nebraska-South Dakota state line. The Wood River from the mouth to Nebraska Hwy 21. The Little Blue River from U.S. Hwy. 81 to U.S. Hwy. 281. Eagle Creek in Holt County from the mouth to 483rd Ave. Bazile Creek in Knox County from the mouth to the Antelope County line. In Knox County, the Main Branch Verdigre Creek from the mouth to theAntelope County line, Middle Branch and North Branch Verdigre Creek to theHolt County line. In Sioux County, Indian Creek to the Nebraska-Wyoming state line, AntelopeCreek to the Nebraska-Wyoming state line, Monroe Creek to the Gilbert-Baker WMA boundary, Warbonnet Creek to the source, Chadron Creek to the Chadron Creek WMAboundary and Hat Creek to East Hat Creek Road. Lodgepole Creek from the mouth to the Nebraska-Wyoming state line.

LIMITED LANDOWNER
Limited Landowner deer permits are issued statewide and are valid for the agricultural land listed on the landowner's permit profile for the bag limit and season dates listed. See page 8 for definitions and minimum qualifications. Additional restrictions are noted.
Permit Fee	Resident: $20 Nonresident: $144
Season Dates	Archery: Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023 November Firearm: Nov. 11 – 19, 2023 Muzzleloader: Dec. 1 – 31, 2023 Late Firearm Antlerless: Jan. 1 – 15, 2024 (antlerless only)
Permit Name		Quota	Bag Limit	Special Unit Restrictions
Limited Landowner Deer		Unlimited	1 AD, 1 AO	No
RESTRICTIONS: One permit allowed per person. Antlerless mule deer may not be taken on lands open to public hunting, except Open Fields and Waters lands. Jan. 1 – 15, 2024, is antlerless only. Landowner permits are valid for the legal method of take during Archery, November Firearm, Muzzleloader and Late Firearm Antlerless seasons.

SPECIAL LANDOWNER
A qualifying landowner may purchase as many as eight Special Landowner Deer Permits todesignate themselves or immediate family to hunt on his or her property on the Saturday,Sunday and Monday before the opening of the November firearm deer season. They are validstatewide for any legal weapons.
Permit Fee	Resident:	$8		Nonresident: $8
Season Dates	Nov. 4 – 6, 2023

Permit Name		Quota	Bag Limit	Special Unit Restrictions
Special Landowner Deer		Unlimited	1 AD	No

RESTRICTIONS: No more than two permits will be issued to persons age 19 or older and six permits to personsyounger than 19, per qualifying landowner. No person may apply for or obtain more than one Special Landowner Deer Permit per year. The Special Landowner Deer Permit is only valid Nov. 4 – 6, 2023. For information on LimitedLandowner Permits, see the table at the top of the page. The definition of immediate family is: spouse, child, stepchild, spouse of child or stepchild,grandchild, step grandchild, spouse of grandchild or step grandchild, sibling sharingownership or spouse of sibling. This permit counts against the two antlered deer permit maximum. This permit may be purchased at Game and Parks district offices, by mail to the Lincoln office oronline. Special Landowner Deer and Limited Landowner Deer permits may not be sold, loaned ortransferred to another hunter. Firearm hunters during the Special Landowner Deer Season must wear hunter orange;archery hunters are exempt. See OutdoorNebraska.gov and search "landowner permits" for permit application and moredetails.

SPECIAL UNIT RESTRICTIONS
Look at the unit in which you hunt to see if any restrictions apply to your permit, the land or the unitin which you hunt. Regulations apply to statewide permits within specific management units.
Management Unit	Special Unit Restrictions
All Units	Antlerless mule deer may not be taken on lands open to public hunting,except Open Fields and Waters lands.
Buffalo	Muzzleloader, Nonresident Archery and Restricted Statewide Buckpermits are not valid for mule deer.
Calamus West	Bessey Ranger District of Nebraska National Forest and ValentineNational Wildlife Refuge are closed to use of bonus antlerless tags,bonus antlerless Whitetail tags, and Season Choice antlerlesspermits.
Elkhorn	Special provisions may apply to hunting deer or other wildlife specieswithin the boundaries of the Omaha and Winnebago reservations.
Frenchman	Muzzleloader, Nonresident Archery and Restricted Statewide Buckpermits are not valid for mule deer. Frenchman Antlerless Only Season Choice permits are not validon Enders, Medicine Creek, Red Willow or Swanson SRA/WMA. On MDCA and whitetail firearm permits, bonus antlerless tags are notvalid on Enders, Swanson, Red Willow and Medicine CreekWMA/SRA.
Pine Ridge	Muzzleloader, Nonresident Archery and Restricted Statewide Buckpermits are not valid for mule deer.
Plains	No antlerless mule deer harvest is allowed on Crescent Lake NWR.
Platte	Muzzleloader, Nonresident Archery and Restricted Statewide Buckpermits are not valid for mule deer.
Republican	Muzzleloader, Nonresident Archery and Restricted Statewide Buckpermits are not valid for mule deer. Republican AOSC permits are not valid on Harlan County U.S. ArmyCorps of Engineers lands.
Sandhills	McKelvie National Forest and Valentine NWR are closed to use of bonus antlerless tags, bonus antlerless Whitetail tags, and SeasonChoice antlerless permits.

November Firearm and Antlerless Only Season Choice Units