Small Game Hunting Menu
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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
NOTE: HIP Registration is required for some species of upland game. HIP registration
will begin August 1. Please consult the HIP program information by clicking the HIP button on the menu
for more information.
Grouse Season
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.
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