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In seasons spanning more than six months, from the sultry squirrel hunting days of August to the bitterly cold, end-of-winter rabbit hunts, Nebraska truly is an upland game hunters paradise, with a dozen species of birds and small mammals on the menu. While ring-necked pheasant remains king, grouse, quail, woodcock, dove and partridge offer bird hunters a variety found in few other states.

An annual hunting permit is required to hunt upland game.

Every resident 16 years of age and older who hunts for game birds, rabbits, squirrels or jackrabbits must purchase an annual hunting permit, except a farmer or rancher and their immmediate family who actually live on the land they own or lease may hunt upland and small game on that land without obtaining an annual hunting permit or Habitat Stamp. The annual hunting permit is not required in addition to special permits required for deer, antelope, elk, bighorn sheep, turkey and furbearers.

A resident is any individual who has lived in Nebraska continously for 30 days and intends to become a resident of the 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.

All nonresidents, regardless of age, who hunt for or possess any mammal, bird, turtle, mussel, or amphibian must obtain a permit.

Military personnel and full-time students stationed or attending school in Nebraska for a period exceeding 30 days, are eligible to obtain a resident permit.

Many mammals in Nebraska, including coyote, prairie dog and woodchuck, are considered nongame species. Residents do not need a permit to take these species, however, nonresidents must have an annual hunting permit. No Habitat Stamp is required for nongame species.

Youth Hunting:
Youth under age 12 must be accompanied by a licensed hunter 19 years of age or older. Any person under 16 years of age who hunts antelope, deer, elk, turkey or bighorn sheep must be accompanied by a person 21 years of age or older.

Youth Pheasant, Quail and Partridge Season: Hunters must be 15 years old or younger. Resident youth hunters do not need a license, but those ages 12 to 15 are required to carry a Hunter Education certification card while hunting. Nonresident youth are required to have a current nonresident youth hunting permit and a current Habitat Stamp. Youth hunters under 12 years old must be accompanied by a licensed hunter 19 years old or older. Adults accompanying youth hunters are not allowed to shoot pheasants, quail, or partridge. Daily bag limits are 2 cock pheasants, 2 quail and 2 partridge. Possession limit is twice the daily bag. Pheasants, quail and partridge taken during the youth season do not count against the youth hunter's possession limit during the general hunting seasons.

Youth Waterfowl Season: Hunters must be age 15 or younger to take part. Resident youth hunters do not need any state or federal permits or stamps. Nonresident youth must have a current nonresident youth hunting permit and a current Habitat Stamp. The season is open for ducks, mergansers, coots and geese. Youth age 12 to 15 are required to carry a Hunter Education certification card while hunting and must be accompanied by a person at least 18 years old. This adult does not need to be a licensed hunter. Youth younger than 12 must be accompanied by a licensed hunter age 19 or older. The accompanying adult may not hunt waterfowl. Bag and possession limits are the same as for the regular season.

A Habitat Stamp is required to hunt upland game

Every resident 16 years of age and older must have a Habitat Stamp to hunt game species or to take fur bearers in Nebraska. All nonresidents, regardless of age, must have a Habitat Stamp to hunt game species or to harvest furbearers. The Habitat Stamp is valid for the calendar year as dated. To be valid, the Stamp must be signed in ink across the face and attached to a valid hunting or Fur Harvest Permit provided that this shall not apply to stamps printed electronically or included as part of a senior or Veteran permit.

HIP Registration

A special free permit (in addition to the annual hunting permit) is required to hunt prairie grouse in the East Zone (that area of Nebraska lying east of U.S. Hwy 81). Four hundred special permits to hunt grouse in the East Zone will be issued,each allowing the harvest of three birds. Permits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, with permit requests accepted at the Lincoln Game and Parks office by mail, phone (402/471-5597) or over-the-counter beginning August 1. Permit requests must include the applicant's name, address, and 2005 annual hunting permit number (or, for residents 12 through 15 years of age, their Hunter Education Certificate number) or Lifetime Hunting Permit number. Those who are not required to purchase an annual hunting permit must provide documentation of such exemption (seniors, veterans, landowners, etc.) Postcards/letters should be mailed to: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Attn: Grouse Permits, P.O. Box 30370, Lincoln, NE 68503.