Hunting Seasons and Dates

When Can I Hunt in Nebraska?

Wondering when Nebraska’s deer season begins? Let’s take a look at the current season dates so you can start planning your hunts for the year.

The information provided here reflects the latest updates from the Nebraska Game & Parks Department (NGP). We’ll continue to update this guide as new details for upcoming seasons become available.

Keep in mind that hunting regulations, season dates, and bag limits can change. Always check Nebraska’s official hunting resources to ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information before heading into the field.

Nebraska Deer Hunting Season

• Archery: September 1 – December 31, 2025
• October River Antlerless Firearm: October 1 – 15, 2025
• Antlerless Only Season Choice: September 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026
• Special Landowner: November 8 – 10, 2025
• November firearm: November 15 – 23, 2025
• Muzzleloader: December 1 – 31, 2025
• River Antlerless Late Firearm: Jan. 1 – 15, 2026
• Limited Landowner: September 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026
• Late Antlerless Only Firearm: January 1 – 15, 2026

Turkey

Spring

• Archery: March 25 – May 31, 2025
• Youth Shotgun: April 5 – May 31, 2025
• Shotgun: April 12 – May 31, 2025

Fall

• Youth Archery and Shotgun: October 1 – November 30, 2025
• Archery and Shotgun: October 1 – November 30, 2025

Elk

• Early Antlerless: August 1 – October 31, 2025
• Archery Bull: September 1 – October 31, 2025
• Firearm Bull: September 21 – October 31, 2025
• Late Antlerless: November 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026

Upland Birds

• Prairie Grouse: September 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026
• Pheasant, Quail, and Partridge: October 25, 2025 – January 31, 2026
• Youth Pheasant, Quail, and Partridge Hunt: October 18 – 19, 2025

Webless Migratory Birds

• Dove (Mourning, White-winged, & Eurasian Collared):September 1 – October 30, 2025
• Eurasian Collared-Dove: Year-round
• Rail: September 1 – November 9, 2025
• Snipe: September 1 –December 16, 2025
• Woodcock: October 5 – November 17, 2025
• Crow: October 11 – December 11, 2025 and January 10 – March 12, 2026

Small Game

• Squirrel: August 1, 2025 – Jan 31, 2026
• Cottontail Rabbit: September 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026
• Jackrabbit: September 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026 (West of U.S. 81 only)

Waterfowl

• Early Teal:
  • Low Plains: September 6 – 14, 2025
  • High Plains: September 6 – 14, 2025
• Ducks & Coots:
  • Zone 1: October 11 – December 23, 2025
  • Zone 2:
    • Low Plains: October 4 – December 16, 2025
    • High Plains: January 7 – 28, 2026
  • Zone 3 (High Plains): October 25, 2025 – January 6, 2026 and January 7 – 28, 2026
  • Zone 4: October 25, 2025 – January 6, 2026
• Dark Goose:
  • North Central Unit: October 4, 2025 – January 16, 2026
  • Platte River Unit: October 28, 2025 – February 9, 2026
  • Niobrara Unit: October 28, 22025 – February 9, 2026
• White-fronted Goose (Statewide): October 4 – December 14, 2025 and January 25, 2025 – February 9, 2026
• Light Goose (Statewide): October 4 – December 31, 2025 and January 25 – February 9, 2026
• Light Goose (Conservation Order):
  • East Zone: February 10 – April 15, 2026
  • West Zone: February 10 – April 5, 2026
  • Rainwater Basin Zone: February 10 – April 5, 2026

Youth, Veteran, & Active Duty Military Waterfowl

• Zone 1: October 4 – 5, 2025
• Zone 2: September 27 – 28, 2025
• Zone 3: October 18 – 19, 2025
• Zone 4: October 18 – 19, 2025

Antelope

• Archery: August 20 – December 31, 2025
• Muzzleloader: September 20 – October 5, 2025
• Firearm: October 11 – 26, 2025
• November Late Doe/Fawn: November 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026

Bighorn Sheep

• Management Lottery Season: March 1 – 31, 2025
• Regular Lottery Season: December 2 – 22, 2025

Coyote

Open year-round