Nebraska is home to some of the best deer hunting in the country. With a large population of whitetail deer and mule deer, Nebraska offers hunters a chance to bag a trophy buck. The state is divided into two deer hunting zones, with different rules and regulations for each. The western zone includes most of the panhandle, while the eastern zone includes the rest of the state. Hunters must apply for a permit and purchase a deer tag before they can hunt in Nebraska. The type of permit depends on the zone in which they will be hunting, and the type of deer they will be hunting.
Deer Hunting Laws in Nebraska
Nebraska is a great place to deer hunt, and the laws reflect that. In order to deer hunt in Nebraska, you must have a hunting license. You can obtain a hunting license from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission website. A resident hunting license costs $37, and a non-resident hunting license costs $97. The type of license you need depends on the type of deer you want to hunt.
If you want to hunt white-tailed deer, mule deer, or pronghorn antelope, you will need a big game permit in addition to your hunting license. A big game permit for residents costs $16, and a big game permit for non-residents costs $51. You can also buy a combo package that includes both the hunting license and the big game permit for residents ($53) or non-residents ($148).
In order to hunt deer on public land in Nebraska, you will need a Public Land Permit (PLP). This permit allows you to hunt on any public land in Nebraska that is open to hunting. The PLP costs $12 for residents and $42 for non-residents.
If you are planning on hunting deer during the muzzleloader season, you will need to purchase a muzzleloader stamp in addition to your other licenses and permits. The muzzleloader stamp costs $5 for residents and $15 for non-residents.
The last thing you need before heading out to hunt deer in
Do you need a license to hunt deer in Nebraska?
In Nebraska, anyone born on or after January 1, 1949, must possess a valid hunting permit to hunt any deer. You can get a hunting permit from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission website, over the counter at commission offices, or anywhere permits are sold. The cost of the permit is $13 for residents and $56 for non-residents. If you’re a resident landowner or lessee, you may be eligible for a free Landowner Permit, which allows you to hunt on your own property.
You need to have completed a Hunter Safety Course before applying for a hunting permit in Nebraska. The course is offered by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and covers topics such as hunter responsibility, wildlife conservation, firearms safety, first aid, and survival. You can find a list of upcoming courses on the commission website.
Deer Hunting Seasons in Nebraska
In Nebraska, deer hunting seasons vary depending on the type of deer being hunted as well as the location.
whitetail deer:
The whitetail deer hunting season in Nebraska generally runs from early November to late December. The specific dates depend on the zone in which you will be hunting.
mule deer:
Mule deer season in Nebraska usually falls between mid-October and early November. As with whitetails, the actual dates depend on the zone.
antelope:
The antelope hunting season in Nebraska opens in mid-September and continues through late October. Again, the exact dates are determined by the zone you will be hunting in.
Can you hunt deer at night in Nebraska?
Although Nebraska is mostly farmland, there is still plenty of deer to be found. The best time to hunt deer is in the early morning or evening when they are most active. However, you can also hunt deer at night if you have a special permit. Night hunting is allowed from sunset to sunrise on certain days from September 1st to January 31st. You can only use artificial light (like a spotlight) to spot and shoot deer at night.
Bag limits for hunting deer in Nebraska
The bag limit for hunting deer in Nebraska is two bucks and four does. The season runs from late October through early January. There are no limits on the number of antlerless deer that can be taken, but hunters are limited to two bucks with a minimum inside spread of 13 inches.
Legal ways to hunt deer in Nebraska
There are a few things to keep in mind when deer hunting in Nebraska. First, always check the local regulations as they vary from county to county. Secondly, there are four main ways you can legally hunt deer in Nebraska: with a shotgun, a rifle, a muzzleloader, or a crossbow.
Shotguns must be plugged to only hold three shells, and rifles must be .22 caliber or smaller. Muzzleloaders must be .45 caliber or smaller and can only be loaded with black powder. Crossbows must have a minimum draw weight of 125 pounds.
Archery season usually runs from mid-September through the end of December, while the shotgun season typically runs from early November until mid-December. The muzzleloader season is usually the last two weeks of December. Please note that these dates may vary slightly from year to year so it’s always best to check ahead of time.
If you’re planning on hunting during the archery season, you’ll need to purchase an archery permit which costs $37 for residents and $102 for non-residents. If you want to hunt during the shotgun or muzzleloader seasons, you’ll need to purchase a deer permit which costs $42 for residents and $217 for non-residents. These permits can be purchased online or at your local Game and Parks office. You’ll also need to have a valid hunting license which costs $34 for residents and
Can you use dogs to hunt deer in Nebraska?
Yes, dogs can be used to hunt deer in Nebraska. The most common type of hunting dog used for deer is the hound. Hounds are often used to track and trail deer. In Nebraska, it is legal to use dogs to chase deer during the regular rifle season and during the early muzzleloader season.
Can you hunt deer from a vehicle in Nebraska?
In Nebraska, deer may be hunted from a vehicle only if the vehicle is stationary and the hunter is properly licensed. The use of artificial lights is prohibited, and the hunting of deer from a moving vehicle is illegal.
Final Thoughts
After spending a week deer hunting in Nebraska, I’ve come to some final thoughts. Overall, it was a great experience. The scenery was beautiful and the deer were plentiful. I was able to harvest a nice buck on the first day of hunting and saw several other bucks during the week.
There are a few things that I would change if I could do it again. First, I would start my hunt a day earlier. The weather was perfect for hunting on the first day, but by the end of the week, it had gotten quite warm. If I had an extra day to hunt, I think I could have been even more successful.
Second, I would spend more time scouting before the hunt. I did some scouting beforehand, but there were definitely areas that I didn’t get to see. If I had more time to scout, I could have better planned my strategy for the week and maybe even found a few more bucks.
All in all, it was a great trip and I’m already planning my next Nebraska deer hunt!
