Nebraska Hunting License Guide for Non-Residents

Nebraska is one of the most accessible hunting states in America for non-residents, and if you have not hunted here before, you are overdue. Over-the-counter tags for whitetail, mule deer, turkey, and upland birds — plus over a million acres of public land — make Nebraska a realistic destination for hunters from any state. Here is exactly how to get licensed and in the field.

The Basics: License and Habitat Stamp

Every hunter in Nebraska needs two things before purchasing any species-specific permit: a Nebraska hunting license and a Habitat Stamp.

The hunting license is your baseline credential. Non-resident hunting licenses are available for the full year or as short-term options. The non-resident annual hunting license covers all legal game species and is valid for the calendar year. A non-resident small game license is available at a lower cost if you are only pursuing upland birds and small game.

The Habitat Stamp is required for all hunters aged 16 and older. It is an additional fee that funds wildlife habitat conservation, and you cannot legally hunt without one. Think of it as Nebraska's entry fee for access to over 250 WMAs and hundreds of thousands of acres of public land. It is worth every penny.

Over-the-Counter Permits

This is where Nebraska shines for non-residents. Several of the most popular hunting permits are available over the counter — meaning you can buy them online or at a vendor without entering a lottery or accumulating preference points.

Statewide archery deer permit: Valid for one deer (antlered or antlerless) in any unit. Available to non-residents over the counter. This is the single best deal in non-resident deer hunting.

Spring turkey permit: Typically allows harvest of multiple bearded birds. Available over the counter.

Small game: Pheasant, quail, grouse, rabbit, and squirrel are all covered under your hunting license with no additional species-specific permit required.

Waterfowl: Requires a Nebraska hunting license, Habitat Stamp, federal duck stamp, and HIP registration. All available over the counter.

Draw Permits

Some permits require an application and may be limited in allocation.

Firearm deer permits are unit-specific, and while many units have enough permits for all applicants, some popular eastern units limit non-resident allocations. Applications are typically due in the spring, with results announced by early summer. Leftover permits go on sale first-come, first-served in mid-summer.

Mule deer permits for firearm seasons in western units may be draw-only depending on the unit and year.

Antelope permits for the western Panhandle are draw-only, with applications due in the spring.

Elk permits are extremely limited and require a preference-point system. Plan on applying for several years before drawing a tag.

What to Hunt on Your First Trip

If you are visiting Nebraska for the first time and want the best experience, here is what we recommend.

Archery whitetail in November. Buy the over-the-counter archery permit, find public land in the eastern river corridors, and hunt the rut. Nebraska's river-bottom timber holds big deer, the season timing is perfect, and the OTC access cannot be beat.

Pheasant hunting in late October or November. Southwest Nebraska produces excellent rooster numbers, the public land access through WMAs and the OFWP program is outstanding, and the daily bag of three birds makes for a satisfying hunt.

Spring turkey in April or May. Three subspecies, over-the-counter permits, gorgeous country, and responsive birds. A Nebraska spring turkey trip is affordable and memorable.

When to Book

For draw permits, watch the Nebraska Game and Parks website for application dates — typically opening in January or February for the following fall seasons. For over-the-counter permits, you can purchase anytime, but plan your trip well in advance. Book lodging early for November firearm deer season and pheasant opener weekend, as small-town motels in hunting country fill up fast.

Nebraska's combination of accessible tags, diverse species, and vast public land makes it one of the best values in American hunting. Come for a weekend, and you will be planning your next trip before you cross the state line heading home.