Many Nebraskans and out-of-state sportsmen like the heritage of deer hunting. This detailed guide will tell you all you need to know about the Nebraska deer season 2024-2024.
Nebraska Deer Hunting Season Dates
Throughout all hunting seasons, Nebraska has plenty of opportunity to pursue deer. The following dates are crucial for the 2024 deer seasons:
Deer Season
NE Deer HuntSeason Dates ArcherySept 1 – Dec 31, 2024 Special LandownerNov 4 – Nov 6, 2024 November firearmNov 11 – Nov 19, 2024 MuzzleloaderDec 1 – Dec 31, 2024 October River Antlerless FirearmOct 1 – Oct 15, 2024 River Antlerless Late FirearmJan 1 – Jan 31, 2024 Antlerless Only Season ChoiceSept 1, 2024-Jan 15, 2024 Limited LandownerSept 1, 2024-Jan 15, 2024 Late Antlerless Only FirearmJan 1 – Jan 15, 2024
Elk Season
NE Elk SeasonSeason Dates Archery bullSept 1 – Oct 31, 2024 Firearm bullSept 21 – Oct 31, 2024 Early AntlerlessAug 1 – Oct 31, 2024 Late AntlerlessNov 1, 2024 – Jan 31, 2024
Antelope Season
NE Antelope HuntSeason Dates ArcheryAug 20 – Dec 31, 2024 MuzzleloaderSept 16 – Oct 1, 2024 FirearmOct 14 – Oct 29, 2024 November late doe/fawnNov 1, 2024 – Jan 31, 2024
Bighorn Sheep
SeasonHunt Dates Big Horn SheepNov 28 – Dec 22, 2024
Bag Limits
- Statewide buck bag limit: 2 legal bucks per hunter
- Antlerless bag limits: Varies by unit and permit
There may be limits on harvesting antlerless mule deer in various regions, so check the rules for the hunting unit you want to hunt.
NE Deer License Fees
Permit/License TypeResident FeeNonresident Fee Special Landowner Deer$8 $8 Limited Landowner Deer$20 $144 River Antlerless Deer$14 $82 Statewide Archery$37 $285 Statewide Muzzleloader$37 $285 Statewide Whitetail Buck$88 $707 Restricted Statewide Buck$128 $698 Special Landowner Season$8 $8 Youth Deer$8 $8 Limited Landowner Season$20 $144
License and Permit Requirements
Depending on the season and region, you may require a combination of licenses and permits to shoot deer in Nebraska:
- Habitat stamp if age 16 or older
- General hunting permit
- Deer permit for season you plan to hunt
- Bow permit if hunting archery season
- Hunter education certification if under age 16
- Blaze orange clothing required during firearm seasons
Permits for hunting deer must be bought in advance. For draw units, the deadline is June 15; for all other units, there is no deadline.
Deer Drawing and Permits
Each year, a number of deer licenses are distributed by a random lottery. You must submit an application online or by mail by June 15 to be eligible for the drawing, which takes place in June. If unsuccessful, preference points are awarded, increasing the likelihood of future drawings.
NE Deer Regulations for 2024
The rules currently include an archery season in all Mule Deer Conservation Areas. Rules for the Mule Deer Conservation Area (MDCA): One Republican MD or MDCA permit alone may be acquired. Mule deer in the MDCA are not subject to the state’s muzzleloader or nonresident archery licenses.
- Night-Vision Scopes Illegal: Night-vision scopes are prohibited when hunting game animals and game birds.
- Nonresident Quotas and Limits: With few exceptions, nonresidents are limited to 10,000 either-sex or buck-only licenses. Additionally, the percentage of total permits granted to nonresidents in certain localities is capped at 15%.
- Limited Landowner Permits: Prior to the November firearm deer season, landowners may issue up to eight Special Landowner Deer Permits to themselves or members of their immediate families to shoot deer on their property.
- River Antlerless Private Land Only: River Antlerless Deer Permits are only good for hunting on private property within established hunting limits.
- Youth Deer Permits: Young people between the ages of 10 and 15 are permitted to hunt with a juvenile deer permit. If a minor was 15 years old on September 1 of the hunting season, they are eligible to shoot deer at age 16 with a juvenile deer permit.
- Antlerless Mule Deer Hunting Restrictions: With the exception of a few open fields and lakes, antlerless mule deer hunting is prohibited on public hunting areas.
- Special Unit limitations: Different special unit limitations are applicable to various management units, indicating the locations where certain licenses are invalid or the locations where specific hunting requirements may be applicable.
- Method for Drawing Deer Permits: The deer drawing method is based on preference points. Once a permission is granted during the drawing, all points are forfeited.
- Statewide Deer Regulations: A variety of licenses are offered, each with its own quota, bag limit, and season dates. Each sort of permission has its own restrictions and costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some FAQs about the 2024-2024 Nebraska deer season:
