Nebraska Hunting Seasons: Updated


This page of Nebraska hunting seasons is updated annually. While Thepredatorhunter.com focuses on coyotes, fox, and bobcats, it is hoped other game hunters will take up predator hunting as well. We suggest you check out these predator hunting links specific to the state of Nebraska:

Purchase a hunting license in Nebraska here.

Learn the rules for hunting coyotes in Nebraska.

Learn the rules for hunting bobcats in Nebraska.

Learn the rules for hunting fox in Nebraska.

Nebraska hunting seasons
Mountain lion in a tree.

Nebraska hunting seasons for deer in 2022.

Archery: Sept. 1, 2022 – Dec. 31, 2022
Special Landowner: Nov. 5, 2022 – Nov. 7, 2022
November firearm: Nov. 12, 2022 – Nov. 20, 2022
Muzzleloader: Dec. 1, 2022 – Dec. 31, 2022
October River Antlerless Firearm: Oct. 1, 2022 – Oct. 15, 2022
River Antlerless Late Firearm: Jan. 1, 2023 – Jan. 31, 2023
Antlerless Only Season Choice: Sept. 1, 2022-Jan. 15, 2023
Limited Landowner: Sept. 1, 2022-Jan. 15, 2023
Late Antlerless Only Firearm: Jan. 1, 2023 – Jan. 15, 2023

Nebraska hunting seasons for antelope in 2022.

Archery: Aug. 20, 2022 – Dec. 31, 2022
Muzzleloader: Sept. 17, 2022 – Oct. 2, 2022
Firearm: Oct. 8, 2022 – Oct. 23, 2022
November late doe/fawn: Nov. 1, 2022 – Jan. 31, 2023

Nebraska hunting seasons for elk.

Archery bull: Sept. 1, 2022 – Oct. 31, 2022
Firearm bull: Sept. 21, 2022 – Oct. 31, 2022
Early Antlerless Aug. 1 – Oct. 31, 2022
Late Antlerless Nov. 1, 2022 – Jan. 31, 2023

Bighorn sheep lottery.

2022 Season Dates: Nov. 29, 2022 – Dec. 22, 2022

2022 permit application dates (after 1:00pm CST)

April 18, 2022 after 1:00 pm CST – Aug. 5, 2022

Residents can apply for the bighorn sheep lottery during this period.

2022-2023 turkey hunting seasons for Nebraska.

  Spring archery: March 25, 2022 – May 31, 2022
  Spring youth shotgun: April 9, 2022 – May 31, 2022
  Spring shotgun: April 16, 2022 – May 31, 2022
  Fall youth archery and shotgun: Sept. 15, 2022 – Jan. 31, 2023
  Fall archery and shotgun:  Sept. 15, 2022 – Jan. 31, 2023

Permit application dates for Fall turkey hunting.

FALL: Aug. 8, 2022 after 1:00 pm CST – Jan. 31, 2023

Hunters may purchase as many as two fall permits.

Mountain lion hunting season in Nebraska for 2022.

The 2022 mountain lion season in the Pine Ridge runs from Jan. 2 – Feb. 28, 2022, with an application period from Nov. 1 – Dec. 8, 2021.
Mountain lions have recolonized three areas in Nebraska: the Pine Ridge, Niobrara River Valley and Wildcat Hills. Dispersing mountain lions have been documented throughout the state including agricultural areas where suitable habitat may be limited. In order to provide hunting opportunities for this species the Commission approved Nebraska’s inaugural mountain lion harvest season during 2014. A fifth season will be held in 2022. Click here to learn more about mountain lion hunting.

Upland game bird hunting season in Nebraska.

Pheasant, quail, and partridge
Oct. 29, 2022 – Jan. 31, 2023

Prairie Grouse
Sept. 1, 2022 – Jan. 31, 2023
*special permit required east of U.S. 81

Youth pheasant, quail and partridge
Oct. 22 – 23, 2022

Webless migratory birds.

Mourning, white-winged, and Eurasian collared-doves (in aggregate)
Sept. 1, 2022 – Oct. 30, 2022

Eurasian collared-dove (only)
Year-Round

Snipe
Sept. 1, 2022 – Dec. 16, 2022

Virginia and sora rail
Sept. 1, 2022 – Nov. 9, 2022

Woodcock
Oct. 8, 2022 – Nov. 21, 2022

Crow
Oct. 15, 2022 – Dec. 15, 2022; Jan. 13, 2023 – March 14, 2023

Small game hunting seasons in Nebraska.

Squirrel
Aug. 1, 2022 – Jan. 31, 2023

Cottontail
Sept. 1, 2022 – Feb. 28, 2023

Jackrabbit
Allowed west of U.S. 81 only
Sept. 1, 2022 – Feb. 28, 2023

Nebraska hunting seasons for waterfowl in 2022.

Dark goose

North central unit: Oct. 1, 2022 – Jan. 13, 2023
Platte River unit: Oct. 28, 2022 – Feb. 9, 2023
Niobrara unit: Oct. 28, 2022 – Feb. 9, 2023

Daily bag limit: five; Possession limit: Three times the daily bag limit.

White-fronted goose
Statewide: Oct. 1, 2022 – Dec. 11, 2022; Jan. 25, 2023 – Feb. 9, 2023

Daily bag limit: two; Possession limit: Three times the daily bag limit.

Light goose
Statewide: Oct. 1, 2022 – Dec. 28, 2022; Jan. 25, 2023 – Feb. 9, 2023

Daily bag limit: 50; Possession limit: None.

Light goose conservation order*
East zone: Feb. 10, 2023 – April 15, 2023
Rainwater basin zone: Feb. 10, 2023 – April 5, 2023
West zone: Feb. 10, 2023 – April 5, 2023

Daily bag and possession limits: None.

*For special regulations see the Waterfowl Guide on our guides page.

Early teal
Low plains: Sept. 3, 2022 – Sept. 18, 2022
High plains: Sept. 3, 2022 – Sept. 11, 2022

Duck and coot
Zone 1: Oct. 15, 2022 – Dec. 27, 2022
Zone 2: Oct. 1, 2022 – Dec. 13, 2022, in Low Plains, and Oct. 1, 2022 – Dec. 13, 2022, and Jan. 4 – Jan. 25, 2023, in the High Plains
Zone 3: Oct. 22, 2022 – Jan. 3, 2023, and Jan. 4 – Jan. 25, 2023
Zone 4: Oct. 22, 2022 – Jan. 3, 2023

Daily bag:
Tier 1: six ducks, with restrictions;
Tier II: three ducks, any species, any sex;
Possession limit: Three times the daily bag limit

Youth
Zone 1: Oct. 8, 2022 – Oct 9, 2022
Zone 2: Sept. 24, 2022 – Sept. 25, 2022
Zone 3: Oct. 15, 2022 – Oct. 16, 2022
Zone 4: Oct. 15, 2022 – Oct. 16, 2022

Daily bag:
Tier 1: six ducks, with restrictions;
Tier II: three ducks, any species, any sex;
Possession limit: Three times the daily bag limit

Falconry
Concurrent with teal, youth and regular duck season dates, plus:
Zone 1: Feb. 25 – March 10
Zone 2:
____Low Plains: Feb. 25 – March 10
____High Plains: Concurrent with all duck season dates in High Plains Zone
Zone 3:
____Feb. 25 – March 10
____High Plains: Concurrent with all duck season dates in High Plains Zone
Zone 4: Feb. 25 – March 10

Nebraska hunting seasons for furbearers in 2022-2023.

Muskrat, beaver
Trap only: Nov. 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023

Badger
Hunt and trap: Nov. 1. 2022 – Feb. 28, 2023

Mink
Hunt and trap: Nov. 1 , 2022– Feb. 28, 2023

Bobcat
Hunt and trap: Dec. 1 , 2022 – Feb. 28, 2023
Running; no harvest: March 1 , 2022 – Nov. 30, 2022

Raccoon
Hunt only: Sept. 1, 2022 – Oct. 31, 2022
Hunt and trap: Nov. 1, 2022 – Feb. 28, 2023
Running, no harvest: March 1, 2022 – Aug. 17, 2022

Virginia opossum
Hunt only: Sept. 1, 2022 – Oct. 31, 2022
Hunt and trap: Nov. 1, 2022 – Feb. 28, 2023
Running, no harvest: March 1, 2022 – Aug. 17, 2022

Striped skunk
Hunt and trap: year-round

Long-tailed weasel
Hunt and trap: Nov. 1, 2022 – Feb. 28, 2023

Red fox
Hunt and trap: Nov. 1, 2022 – Feb. 28, 2023
Running, no harvest: March 1, 2022 – Oct. 31, 2022

Gray fox
Hunt and trap: Nov. 1, 2022 – Feb. 28, 2023

River otter
Trap only: Nov. 1, 2022, though Feb. 28, 2023, or earlier; season closes three days after 125thotter has been harvested

Dennis V. Gilmore Jr.

Dennis V. Gilmore Jr. is a former Marine Sergeant and the author of several books, including two on night hunting coyotes and red and gray fox. He has written several hundred articles on predator hunting for ThePredatorHunter.com.

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