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Nebraska

Hunting

Hunting

License Information & Fees

Deer Permits

Statewide Deer Permit

Statewide Archery

$37, Resident / $335, Nonresident

Statewide Muzzleloader

$37, Resident / $335, Nonresident

Statewide Whitetail Buck

$88, Resident / $750, Nonresident

Restricted Statewide Buck

$128, Resident / $795, Nonresident

Statewide Buck

$173, Resident / $995, Nonresident

Youth Deer Permit

Permit Fee

$8, Resident / $8, Nonresident

Youth permits are valid statewide.
Restrictions:

  • Age Requirements: Youth age 10-15 may hunt with a youth deer permit. Youth may apply for a draw unit permit at age 9 provided they are age 10 by the start of the season. Youth age 16 may hunt on youth deer permits provided they are age 15 when they apply and provided they are age 15 on Sept. 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 and Waters lands.

November Firearm Season Permit

Permit Fee

$37, Resident; $335, Nonresident

Limited Landowner Deer Permits

Permit Fee

$20, Resident / $169, Nonresident

Limited Landowner deer permits are issued statewide and are valid for the agricultural land listed on the landowner’s permit profile.

Special Landowner

Permit Fee

$8, Resident / $8, Nonresident

A qualifying landowner may purchase as many as eight Special Landowner Deer Permits to designate themselves or immediate family valid to hunt on his or her property on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday before the opening of the November firearm deer season.

River Antlerless Private Land Only Deer Permit

Permit Fee

$14, Resident / $95, Nonresident

Antlerless Only Season Choice

Permit Fee

$37, Resident / $95, Nonresident

Mule Deer Conservation Area

Permit Fee

$44*, Resident / $342*, Nonresident

*Includes $7 nonrefundable application fee for draw permits

Mule deer populations have declined in some units due to habitat conversion to row crops and brainworm disease. Those issues and increased demand for mule deer permits required a change to permit structure in 2012. The Mule Deer Conservation Area comprises the Buffalo, Frenchman, Platte, Pine Ridge and Republican deer management units.

Restrictions:

  • No person may obtain more than one MDCA permit.
  • Statewide muzzleloader and nonresident archery permits are not valid for mule deer in the MDCA.
  • Statewide resident archery permits are valid for mule deer and are available all season.

Elk Permits

Antlerless Elk

Permit Fee

$189*, Resident / $48*, Resident Landowner / $542*, Nonresident Landowner

*Includes $10 nonrefundable application fee

Bull Elk

Permit Fee

$189*, Resident / $48*, Resident Landowner / $542*, Nonresident Landowner

*Includes $10 nonrefundable application fee

Antelope Permits

ANtelope

Permit Fee

$43*, Resident / $26*, Resident Landowner / $8*, Resident Youth (archery only) / $241*, Nonresident / $125*, Nonresident Landowner / $8*, Nonresident Youth (archery only)

*Includes $6 nonrefundable application fee, for draw permits

Bighorn Sheep Permits

Bighorn Sheep

Permit Lottery Application Fee

$29

Only residents may apply for the lottery permit.

Turkey Permits

Spring Turkey

Valid statewide during the spring turkey season for one male or bearded female turkey per permit. A hunter may harvest no more than one turkey per calendar day during the spring season. For age 16 years and older.

$30, Resident / $143 Nonresident

Spring Youth Turkey

Valid statewide during the spring turkey season for one male or bearded female turkey per permit. A hunter may harvest no more than one turkey per calendar day during the spring season. For age 15 years and younger. No minimum age.

$8, Resident / $8, Nonresident

Spring Landowner Turkey

Valid during the spring turkey season for one male or bearded female turkey per permit. A hunter may harvest no more than one turkey per calendar day during the spring season. For age 16 years and older.

$16.50, Resident / $73, Nonresident

Fall Turkey

Valid statewide during the fall turkey season for one turkey of either sex. For age 16 years and older.

$30, Resident / $143, Nonresident

Fall Youth Turkey

Valid statewide during the fall turkey season for one turkey of either sex. For age 15 years and younger. No minimum age.

$8, Resident / $8, Nonresident

Fall Landowner Turkey

Valid during the fall turkey season for one turkey of either sex. For age 16 years and older.

$16.50, Resident / $73, Nonresident

Small Game and Waterfowl Permits

Annual Permits

Hunt (small game)

$18, Resident / $109, Nonresident

Hunt/fish combo w/Aquatic Habitat Stamp

$52, Resident / $177, Nonresident

Veteran hunt/fish fur harvest combo (age 64-plus)

$5*, Resident

Senior hunt/fish fur harvest combo (age 69-plus)

$5*, Resident

Deployed military hunt/fish fur harvest combo

$5*, Resident

Youthhunt

$18, Nonresident

2-Day Small Game Hunt

$76, Nonresident

Fur harvest

$18, Resident / $227, Nonresident

Fur buyer

$115, Resident / $563, Nonresident

Nebraska Habitat Stamp

$25*, Resident / Nonresident

Nebraska Waterfowl Stamp

$10*, Resident / Nonresident

Federal Duck Stamp

$32 (price effective Aug. 1, 2024), Resident / Nonresident

3-Year Permits

Hunt with Habitat Stamp

$108.50, Resident / $356.50, Nonresident

Hunt with Habitat and Waterfowl Stamps

$123.50, Resident / $371.50, Nonresident

Hunt/fish combo w/Habitat and Aquatic Habitat Stamps

$191, Resident / $534, Nonresident

Hunt/fish combo w/Habitat, Waterfowl, Aquatic Habitat Stamps

$206, Resident / $549, Nonresident

5-Year Permits

Hunt with Habitat Stamp

$158, Resident / $534, Nonresident

Hunt with Habitat and Waterfowl Stamps

$181, Resident / $557, Nonresident

Hunt/fish combo w/Habitat and Aquatic Habitat Stamps

$285, Resident / $800, Nonresident

Hunt/fish combo w/Habitat, Waterfowl, Aquatic Habitat Stamps

$308, Resident / $823, Nonresident

Lifetime

Hunt,age 0-15

$260, Resident

Hunt,age 16-45

$355, Resident

Hunt,age 46-over

$260, Resident

Hunt/fish with Aquatic Habitat Stamp, age 0-15

$859, Resident

Hunt/fish combo with Aquatic Habitat Stamp, age 16-45

$1,008, Resident

Hunt/fish combo with Aquatic Habitat Stamp, age 46-over

$859, Resident

Fur harvest, age 0-15

$221, Resident

Fur harvest, age 16-45

$302, Resident

Fur harvest, age 46-over

$221, Resident

Hunt, age 0-16

$873, Nonresident

Hunt, age 17-over

$1,395, Nonresident

Hunt/fish with Aquatic Habitat Stamp, age 0-16

$1,660, Nonresident

Hunt/fish combo with Aquatic Habitat Stamp, age 17-over

$2,391, Nonresident

Nebraska Habitat Stamp

$500*, Resident / Nonresident

Nebraska Waterfowl Stamp

$200*, Resident / Nonresident

Big Game Permit Requirements

Big game hunters in Nebraska must have a species-specific permit for deer, antelope, elk or bighorn sheep. Permits must be signed to be valid. A Nebraska hunt (small game) permit is not required for big game. All deer, elk and antelope permits must be printed and carried on your person while hunting. Also:

  • Big game hunters are required to have a Nebraska Habitat Stamp, except for landowners who are hunting on their own ground, residents younger than age 16 and residents who hold veteran or 69 or older senior permits.
  • A hunter must be at least 10 years of age to hunt with a deer permit and 12 years of age to hunt with antelope, elk or bighorn sheep permits.
  • RESTRICTIONS: A big game permit is valid only for the species-specific season, method, unit or area for which it is issued, and to the individual for which it is issued and may not be exchanged for another permit. Permits are not transferable or refundable, and party hunting is not allowed.

2024 Application Process

All application and permit sales periods begin at 10 a.m. Central time. Permits will be available through the close of the hunting season or until the quota sells out. Mail applications must be received in Game and Parks’ Lincoln office by 5 p.m. CT and internet applications by 11:59 p.m. on the final day of the application period. Nonrefundable permit application fees are: Deer, $7; Antelope, $6; Elk, $10.

Landowner Application Period:

May 20-May 31, 2024 – Mail applications must be received by the local Game and Parks office by 5 p.m. CT on the final day of the application period.

Elk
  • Eligible resident and nonresident landowners may purchase a preference point or apply for one elk permit.
Antelope
  • Eligible resident and nonresident landowners may purchase a preference point or apply for one antelope permit in the following: Banner North, Banner South, Box Butte East, Box Butte West, Cherry, Cheyenne, Dismal, Eastern Sandhills, Garden, North Sioux, Prairie Muzzleloader and North Sioux Muzzleloader.

General Permit Application Period:

June 3-14, 2024

Deer
  • Residents may purchase a preference point or apply for one of the following deer permits: Platte Any Deer and Frenchman Any Deer.
  • Nonresidents may purchase a preference point or apply for one deer permit in the following: Sandhills Any Deer, Upper Platte Any Deer, Plains Any Deer, Calamus West Any Deer, Pine Ridge MDCA, Frenchman MDCA, Platte MDCA, Republican MDCA, Buffalo MDCA, Loup West Any Deer, Archery Deer and Muzzleloader Deer.
Antelope
  • Residents may purchase a preference point or apply for one antelope permit in the following: Banner North, Banner South, Box Butte East, Box Butte West, Cherry, Cheyenne, Dismal, Eastern Sandhills, Garden, North Sioux, Prairie Muzzleloader and North Sioux Muzzleloader.
  • Nonresidents may purchase a preference point or apply for one antelope permit in the following: Antelope Archery.
Elk
  • Residents may purchase a bonus point or apply for one elk permit. An applicant will not be issued an antlerless elk permit more than once every five years.
You may apply via any of the following:
  • Online: Visit online during the applicable periods.
  • Via mail: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2200 N. 33rd St., Lincoln, NE, 68503.
  • In person: Visit a Commission permitting office.
You must provide:
  • A 2024 Big Game Application (available in this guide, at permitting offices or online).
  • Full name, birth date, address and physical description.
  • Last four digits of Social Security number (Non-U.S. citizens are exempt. Call 402-471-0641.)
  • Hunter or bow hunter education number, if required.
  • Payment: Credit or debit card (VISA, Discover and MasterCard only), cash, check or money orders.
  • Email address (used to notify successful applicants of permit drawings).
Draw Results

Those not providing valid email addresses will be responsible for monitoring their status online. Results of the draw will be available on or before June 21. Successful applicants will have until July 8 to complete the purchase of their awarded permits. Permits awarded but unpaid will result in the applicant losing their preference points and forfeiting the permits. Any undrawn permits may carry over to the Resident Permit Purchase Period and the Nonresident Permit Purchase Period. Any forfeited permits may be made available to the next unsuccessful applicant, then may carry over to the Remaining Permit Purchase Period.

Resident Permit Purchase Period:

July 10, 2024-Close of seasons – Residents may buy any elk, deer and antelope permits within permit limits. Eligible resident landowners may buy any limited landowner deer, elk and antelope permits.

Nonresident Permit Purchase Period:

July 24, 2024-Close of seasons – Nonresidents may buy any limited antelope and deer permits in any unit subject to availability and within permit limits. Eligible nonresident landowners may buy any limited landowner elk and antelope permits.

Remaining Permit Purchase Period:

Aug. 7, 2024-Close of seasons – Any remaining permits from the previous periods may be purchased in any unit subject to availability and within permit limits. Eligible landowners may buy any remaining limited landowner permits.

Residency:

The requirements to qualify as a Nebraska resident to buy a hunting permit:

  • Reside in Nebraska continuously for at least 30 days before making application for a permit and intend to become a Nebraska resident.
  • Residents in school in another state or stationed outside Nebraska as part of a military assignment who have maintained Nebraska as their state of legal residency.
  • Active-duty military personnel and full-time students stationed or attending school in Nebraska for a period of at least 30 days.

NOTE: A new resident should be prepared to provide documentation of residency (driver’s license, voter registration, etc.) to an officer when in possession of a permit.

Buddy (Group) Applications:

Nebraska allows hunters to apply as “buddies” to ensure that all or none of their party will draw a permit in the same unit. “Buddy” applications are treated as one application in the drawing. The preference and bonus point level used will be determined by the lowest point total of the party (e.g. Applicant A has 3 points and Applicant B has 4 points, the application will be credited with 3 points). Buddy applications are limited to six applicants. All applicants must have the same residency status. If applying by mail, all applications must be marked as “buddy” and submitted in the same envelope. If applying online, applicants must select the “group” application. Changes to your buddy status or your unit choice may be made before the end of the application period by logging into your account. See online for additional information.

Purchasing Points

Applicants may purchase a preference or bonus point in lieu of participating in the drawings for antelope, deer or elk permits. Purchasing a point does not enter you in the draw. (See table below.)

Resident Deer Preference Point

$22***

Nonresident Deer Preference Point

$57***

Resident Antelope Preference Point

$21*

Nonresident Antelope Preference Point

$56*

Resident Elk Bonus Point

$25**

Resident LO Elk Preference Point

$25**

Nonresident LO Elk Preference Point

$60**

Multispecies Lottery Permits *

Super Tag – Permit valid in 2024 and 2025 for one elk of either sex, one antelope of either sex, one deer of either sex, and two turkeys (only toms and bearded hens may be taken in the spring). The permit is valid in open seasons with the appropriate weapons.

  • Number of Permits Authorized – One permit is authorized for residents only, and one permit is authorized for residents/nonresidents. Persons may apply for the residents-only permit once per year. Persons may apply for the resident/nonresident permit multiple times per year. Winners require a Habitat Stamp.

Combo – Permit valid in 2024 and 2025 for one antelope of either sex, one deer of either sex, and two turkeys (only toms and bearded hens may be taken in the spring). The permit is valid in open seasons with the appropriate weapons.

  • Number of Permits Authorized – One permit is authorized for residents only, and one permit is authorized for nonresidents only. Qualifying persons may apply multiple times per year. Winners require a Habitat Stamp.

Application Period – Jan. 2 - first Friday in July (July 5), 2024. Applications must be received by Game and Parks by 5 p.m. (11:59 p.m. if applying online) on July 5.

Drawing – The drawing will be held following the close of the application period. Winners will be notified.

* awarded permits do not count against permit limits for each species

Landowner Permits

Limited landowner and special landowner deer permits are available to qualifying landowners and their immediate family. An individual may qualify as a landowner by:

  1. owning the minimum amount of agricultural land,
  2. leasing the minimum amount of agricultural land or
  3. being a partner, officer, shareholder, or beneficiary designated as the qualifying landowner by a partnership, corporation or trust that owns the minimum amount of agricultural land.

All qualifying acres must be owned or leased for agricultural production. Hunting leases do not qualify. Landowners may only have one limited landowner permit per species per year and one special landowner deer permit per year. Deer and antelope permits are valid only on the landowner’s land; elk permits are valid across the unit.

Definition of Immediate Family:

The definition of immediate family is: spouse, child, stepchild, spouse of child or stepchild, grandchild, step grandchild, spouse of grandchild or step grandchild, sibling sharing ownership or spouse of sibling.

Minimum qualifications:

  • Deer and Antelope: Residents who own or lease 80 acres and nonresidents who own 320 acres.
  • Elk: Residents who own 320 acres or lease 640 acres and nonresidents who own 1,280 acres.

For limited landowner permits and special landowner deer permits, the maximum number of permits or applications allowed for one farm or ranch is the total number of acres divided by the minimum. For example, a 240-acre farm could have a maximum of three resident landowner permits issued.

Landowner permit details and the application process for each species are in their respective species section.

For more details, visit online (Search for Landowner Permits).

Turkey Permits

What is Required: Turkey Permit, Habitat Stamp

All turkey hunters in Nebraska must possess a turkey permit to hunt turkeys in Nebraska. A Nebraska hunt (small game) permit is not required to hunt turkeys. A Nebraska Habitat Stamp is valid statewide and required of all hunters in Nebraska, except residents younger than 16 years of age and residents who hold veteran or 69-and-older senior permits. EXCEPTION: Farmers, ranchers and qualifying family members who hunt with a landowner permit on land they own or lease for agricultural purposes are exempt. One stamp is required for all hunting in a calendar year. Stamps are $25.

Permit Limits

Resident turkey permits are unlimited in quantity. There is a limit of 10,000 spring permits available to nonresidents; there is no limit for fall permits. There are personal limits to how many permits an individual may have in a calendar year. Personal limits are:

  • Spring permits – two per person
  • Fall permits – one per person
  • Landowner permits – one permit in the spring and one in the fall

How to Qualify for a Nebraska Resident Turkey Permit

  • Reside in Nebraska continuously for at least 30 days before making application for a permit and intend to become a Nebraska resident.
  • Residents in school in another state or stationed outside Nebraska as part of a military assignment that have maintained Nebraska as their state of legal residency.
  • Active-duty military personnel and full-time students stationed or attending school in Nebraska for a period of at least 30 days.

NOTE: A new resident should be prepared to provide documentation of residency (driver’s license, voter registration, etc.) to an officer when in possession of a permit.

More on Permits and Stamps

  • Permits and stamps are valid for the calendar year as dated, and paper permits must be signed by the permit holder to be valid.
  • A hunt (small game) permit is not required to hunt turkeys.
  • Turkey permits are not refundable and not transferable.
  • It is illegal to lend a permit to another person or borrow a permit from another person.
  • To access or buy a mobile permit, a user first must have created a profile in the Commission’s electronic permitting system. On the mobile site, permits and stamps can be purchased with a credit or debit card. Previously purchased permits and stamps, except deer, antelope and elk permits, also can be displayed and saved on mobile devices. Visit online for a link to the mobile site and instructions on accessing mobile permits.

Purchasing 2025 Turkey Permits

When?

  • Spring permits – Beginning the second Monday in January (Jan. 13, 2025) at 1 p.m. Central Time through the final day of the season (May 31, 2025).
  • Fall permits – Beginning the second Monday in August (Aug. 11, 2025) at 1 p.m. Central Time through the final day of the season (Nov. 30, 2025).

How?

  • Visit Game and Parks permitting offices.
  • Visit online to buy.
  • Complete and mail in application.

Instructions for Use of Mobile Turkey Permits

Turkey permits can be purchased, accessed or displayed on a mobile device. A mobile permit image can be displayed and saved on a phone or tablet. This permit fulfills the requirement of carrying a permit while eliminating the need to carry a paper version. The mobile version of the turkey permit also allows the permit holder the option to cancel that permit once a turkey is harvested. Internet service is required to access a mobile permit or the mobile site.

  • Mobile permits must be cancelled and checked immediately after the harvest of the turkey.
  • A turkey harvested under the authority of a mobile permit must be accompanied by the hunter with a mobile device upon which the cancelled permit can be displayed until such time as the turkey arrives at the hunter’s place of residence or a commercial preservation facility.
  • The turkey may be left unaccompanied by the hunter only if a document bearing the hunter’s name, permit number, and time and date of permit cancellation is kept with the carcass.

Who May Obtain a Landowner Turkey Permit?

Residents:

  • Any resident who owns or leases 80 acres or more of farm- or ranchland for agricultural purposes may obtain one landowner permit per season.
  • One landower permit is allowed for each 80 acres of farm or ranch.
  • Spouses, children, stepchildren, spouses of children and stepchildren, grandchildren, step grandchildren, spouses of grandchildren and step grandchildren, siblings sharing ownership of the qualifying land and their spouses also are eligible, but only one permit may be issued per person.
  • Eligible family members may hunt together on the same farm or ranch property.
  • Permit is restricted to the land owned or leased and listed on the permit.
  • A resident is any individual who has lived in Nebraska continuously for 30 days and intends to become a resident of this state. A new resident should be prepared to provide documentation of residency (driver’s license, voter registration card, etc.) to an officer when in possession of a resident permit.

Nonresidents:

  • Any nonresident who owns 320 acres or more of farm- or ranchland for agricultural purposes may receive a limited spring or fall permit. Only one permit may be issued per 320 acres.
  • Eligible family members may hunt together on the same farm or ranch property.
  • Spouses, children, stepchildren, spouses of children and stepchildren, grandchildren, step grandchildren, spouses of grandchildren or step grandchildren, siblings sharing ownership of the qualifying land and their spouses also are eligible, but only one permit may be issued per person.
  • Permit is restricted to the land owned by them and listed on the permit.

Multispecies Lottery Permits *

Super Tag – Permit valid in 2025 and 2026 for one elk of either sex, one antelope of either sex, one deer of either sex, and two turkeys (only toms and bearded hens may be taken in the spring). The permit is valid in open seasons with the appropriate weapons.

  • Number of Permits Authorized – One permit is authorized for residents only, and one permit is authorized for residents/nonresidents. Persons may apply for the residents-only permit once per year. Persons may apply for the resident/nonresident permit multiple times per year. Winners require a Habitat Stamp.

Combo – Permit valid in 2025 and 2026 for one antelope of either sex, one deer of either sex, and two turkeys (only toms and bearded hens may be taken in the spring). The permit is valid in open seasons with the appropriate weapons.

  • Number of Permits Authorized – One permit is authorized for residents only, and one permit is authorized for nonresidents only. Qualifying persons may apply multiple times per year. Winners require a Habitat Stamp.

Application Period – Application dates generally begin in early January. Visit online for updated information.

* awarded permits do not count against permit limits for each species

Small Game and Waterfowl Permits and Stamps

Nebraska Hunt (Small Game) Permit

The following must have a Nebraska hunt (small game) permit:

  • Any resident 16 years of age and older who hunts small game or waterfowl. EXCEPTION: A farmer or rancher and immediate family who actually live on the land they own or lease may hunt squirrel, cottontail, jackrabbit (west of U.S. 81), prairie grouse (special permit required east of U.S. 81), partridge, pheasant and quail without obtaining a Nebraska hunt (small game) permit or Habitat Stamp. Hunting seasons and regulations still apply.
  • Any nonresident, regardless of age, who hunts for or possesses small game or waterfowl.
  • All nonresidents who hunt coyotes, prairie dogs and other nongame animals.

Waterfowl Hunter Requirements

Nebraska residents 16 years of age and older and all nonresidents regardless of age who hunt waterfowl in Nebraska must have:

  • A Nebraska hunt (small game) permit
  • A Nebraska Habitat Stamp
  • A Nebraska Waterfowl Stamp
  • A Harvest Information Program number

All residents and nonresidents age 16 and older who hunt waterfowl in Nebraska also must have:

  • A Federal Duck Stamp

Nebraska Fur Harvest Permit

The following must have a Nebraska fur harvest permit:

  • Any resident 16 years of age and older or any nonresident regardless of age who hunts, traps or pursues furbearers needs a Nebraska fur harvest permit.
  • Nonresident fur harvest permits may be issued only to residents of states that sell similar permits to Nebraska residents. They cannot be purchased online. These permits may only be purchased at Game and Parks’ Lincoln office. Call 402-471-5457.

Nebraska Habitat Stamp

A Nebraska Habitat Stamp is valid statewide and required of all hunters and trappers, except:

  • Residents under 16 years of age
  • A farmer or rancher and immediate family who actually live on the land they own or lease who hunt squirrel, cottontail, jackrabbit (west of U.S. 81), prairie grouse (special permit required east of U.S. 81), partridge, pheasant or quail.
  • Residents and nonresidents who hunt or trap coyotes, prairie dogs and other nongame animals.
  • Landowner permit holders.

Antlerless deer and fall turkey permit holders who hunt in January may use the previous year’s habitat stamp.

Those who hold a veteran or 69-and-older senior permit have included in their permits a habitat, waterfowl and aquatic stamp and do not need to purchase them separately.

Federal Duck Stamp

The Federal Duck Stamp now is a legal electronic stamp; a customer no longer will have to produce a physical stamp. Customers who purchase an Electronic Federal Duck Stamp will be mailed a physical stamp from Amplex Corporation after March 10, 2025. Also:

  • Federal Duck Stamp purchases may be found under a customer’s profile in “View All Privileges” and may be reprinted at no charge.
  • The Federal Duck Stamp still will be available for purchase at the same sales channels as before (Game and Parks permitting offices, online, and external vendors).
  • The price increases to $32 from $30 effective Aug. 1, 2024.
  • The template has been updated to remove the “temporary” verbiage. The prior 45-day expiration period now is obsolete. The printed paper copy of the stamp is valid through June 30 of the following year.

Harvest Information Program

Anyone planning to hunt doves, ducks, geese, snipe, rail, coot or woodcock between Sept. 1, 2024, and July 31, 2025, must register with the Harvest Information Program before hunting. All hunters age 16 and older, including residents, nonresidents, lifetime permit holders, veterans and senior permit holders, are required to register for HIP if they plan to hunt migratory game birds in Nebraska between Sept. 1, 2024, and July 31, 2025. Residents under the age of 16 are exempt from the HIP requirement only if they choose the Tier I bag limit. All hunters must register for HIP if selecting Tier II. All nonresidents, regardless of age, must register for HIP for either tier. HIP registration began Aug. 1. During the registration process, hunters will be asked if they plan to hunt ducks. If they do, they will be prompted to select a tier in the two-tier program. Hunters will be bound to that bag limit for the entire season. New this year, starting Aug. 1, hunters must register for HIP through their permit system customer profile online. Registered hunters are assigned a number they must carry with them while hunting. Learn more online. For more on residency requirements, and 64-and-over veteran and 69-and-over senior permits, visit online.

Residency Requirements

The requirements to buy a Nebraska resident hunting (small game) permit:

  • Reside in Nebraska continuously for at least 30 days before making application for a permit and intend to become a Nebraska resident.
  • Residents in school in another state or stationed outside Nebraska as part of a military assignment that have maintained Nebraska as their state of legal residency.
  • Active-duty military personnel and full-time students stationed or attending school in Nebraska for a period of at least 30 days.

NOTE: A new resident should be prepared to provide documentation of residency (driver’s license, voter registration, etc.) to an officer when in possession of a permit.

Other Types of Hunt Permits

Nonresident 2-day

  • Valid for any two consecutive days of small game or waterfowl hunting during the calendar year.
  • Applicable stamps must be purchased.

69-and-Over Senior

  • All residents 69 years old and older may purchase a combination hunt/fish/fur harvest permit for $5.
  • Nebraska Aquatic, Habitat and Waterfowl stamps are included for no fee.

64-and-Over Veteran

  • Eligible Nebraska veterans who are 64 years old or older (honorable or general discharge under honorable conditions) may purchase a combination hunt/fish/fur harvest permit for $5.
  • Eligible resident disabled veterans receive a permit for no fee (50% service connected or 100% disabled nonservice connected receiving a Veterans Administration pension).
  • Nebraska Aquatic, Habitat and Waterfowl stamps are included for no fee.
  • Visit online for application and requirements.

Deployed Military

  • A Nebraska resident who is or has been deployed out of the state with a branch of the United States military within the last 12 months shall, upon returning to the state, be entitled to receive an annual combination hunt/fish/fur harvest permit (which includes all state stamps) on a one-time basis for $5.
  • Eligible Nebraska residents, upon application, must provide Game and Parks, at its headquarters or district or Omaha offices, a copy of their official deployment orders, verifying the resident was deployed out of state within the past 12 months.

Lifetime

  • Available for hunting, hunt/fish combination and fur harvest (residents only) permits.
  • Lifetime Aquatic Habitat Stamp is included in the cost of all lifetime fishing and hunt/fish combo permits.

More on Permits and Stamps

  • Permits and stamps are valid for the calendar year as dated. Paper permits must be signed by the permit holder to be valid. Small game permits expire on Dec. 31.
  • It is unlawful to lend or transfer a permit to another person or to borrow a permit from another person.

Mobile Permits

Nebraska hunt (small game), fish, turkey, resident fur harvest permits, and associated stamps may be purchased, accessed or displayed on a mobile device. The image of a mobile permit may be displayed and saved on a device such as a phone or tablet. Visit online for more information.

Permit Revocation

Under Nebraska law, hunting privileges may be revoked for some game law and court-determined violations. This could include certain one-time offenses by individuals or repeated violations by habitual offenders. Any person whose privilege to hunt, fish or harvest fur has been suspended or revoked in another jurisdiction within the United States or Canada also shall be prohibited from obtaining a permit for such activity in Nebraska for the duration of the suspension.