Nebraska hunting seasons 2026-27
40 hunting seasons are open in Nebraska today, including deer, wild turkey, dove. Dates come from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and were read today.
Dates only. Bag limits, legal methods, licences and zone boundaries: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Read today.
40open today
29species
75dated seasons
Big game
- Deer Open open now, last season closes Jan 15, 2027
- Elk Open open now, closes Jan 31, 2027
- Bighorn sheep Upcoming opens Dec 1, 2026 (Regular lottery season dates)
- Pronghorn Open open now, last season closes Jan 31, 2027
Turkey
- Wild turkey Open open now, last season closes Nov 30, 2026
Waterfowl
Migratory birds
- Dove Open open now, closes Dec 31, 2026
- Crow Open open now, closes Dec 10, 2026
- Rails and gallinules Closed closed, last season ended Nov 9, 2026
- Snipe Open open now, closes Dec 16, 2026
- Woodcock Open open now, closes Nov 16, 2026
Upland birds
Small game
Furbearers
- Badger Open open now, closes Feb 28, 2027
- Beaver Open open now, closes Mar 31, 2027
- Bobcat Open open now, closes Nov 30, 2027
- Fox Open open now, last season closes Feb 28, 2027
- Mink Open open now, closes Feb 28, 2027
- Muskrat Open open now, closes Mar 31, 2027
- Opossum Open open now, closes Feb 28, 2027
- River otter Open open now, closes Feb 28, 2027
- Raccoon Open open now, closes Feb 28, 2027
- Skunk Open open now, closes Dec 31, 2026
- Weasel Open open now, closes Feb 28, 2027
40 hunting seasons are open in Nebraska on November 14: deer, wild turkey, dove, elk, goose and squirrel and more.
Opening in the next six weeks: deer muzzleloader on Dec 1, 2026, bighorn sheep regular lottery season dates on Dec 1, 2026, bobcat hunt and trap on Dec 1, 2026 and waterfowl general season on Dec 19, 2026 (Zone 1).
Nebraska sets different dates by zone or unit for goose and waterfowl; the tables list each zone's dates.
Dates come from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission's Nebraska Game and Parks hunting seasons, read today. Bag limits, legal methods, licences and zone boundaries are not reproduced here; the agency's regulations govern.
All Nebraska season dates
Deer Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026 | Open open, closes in 47 days |
| Muzzleloader | Statewide | Dec 1, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026 | Upcoming opens in 17 days |
| Late Antlerless Only Firearm | Statewide | Jan 1, 2027 to Jan 15, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 48 days |
| November firearm | Statewide | Nov 14, 2026 to Nov 22, 2026 | Open open, closes in 8 days |
| October River Antlerless Firearm | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 to Oct 15, 2026 | Closed closed |
| River Antlerless Late Firearm | Statewide | Jan 1, 2027 to Jan 15, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 48 days |
| Antlerless Only Season Choice | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 to Jan 15, 2027 | Open open, closes in 62 days |
| Limited Landowner | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 to Jan 15, 2027 | Open open, closes in 62 days |
| Special Landowner | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 to Nov 9, 2026 | Closed closed |
Elk Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery bull | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 to Oct 31, 2026 | Closed closed |
| Firearm bull | Statewide | Sep 21, 2026 to Oct 31, 2026 | Closed closed |
| Early Antlerless | Statewide | Aug 1, 2026 to Oct 31, 2026 | Closed closed |
| Late Antlerless | Statewide | Nov 1, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 | Open open, closes in 78 days |
Bighorn sheep Upcoming
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular lottery season dates | Statewide | Dec 1, 2026 to Dec 22, 2026 | Upcoming opens in 17 days |
Pronghorn Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Statewide | Aug 20, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026 | Open open, closes in 47 days |
| Muzzleloader | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 to Oct 4, 2026 | Closed closed |
| Firearm | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026 | Closed closed |
| November late doe/fawn | Statewide | Nov 1, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 | Open open, closes in 78 days |
Wild turkey Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall archery and shotgun | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 to Nov 30, 2026 | Open open, closes in 16 days |
| Fall youth archery and shotgun | Statewide | Oct 1, 2026 to Nov 30, 2026 | Open open, closes in 16 days |
Goose Open
| Species | Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goose | General season | Niobrara unit | Oct 28, 2026 to Feb 9, 2027 | Open open, closes in 87 days |
| Goose | General season | North Central unit | Oct 3, 2026 to Jan 15, 2027 | Open open, closes in 62 days |
| Goose | General season | Platte River unit | Oct 28, 2026 to Feb 9, 2027 | Open open, closes in 87 days |
| Snow and Ross's goose | Conservation Order | East zone | Feb 10, 2027 to Apr 15, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 88 days |
| Snow and Ross's goose | Conservation Order | Rainwater Basin zone | Feb 10, 2027 to Apr 5, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 88 days |
| Snow and Ross's goose | Conservation Order | West zone | Feb 10, 2027 to Apr 5, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 88 days |
| Snow and Ross's goose | General season | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 to Dec 30, 2026 | Open open, closes in 46 days |
| Snow and Ross's goose | General season segment 2 | Statewide | Jan 25, 2027 to Feb 9, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 72 days |
| White-fronted goose | General season | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 27, 2026 | Open open, closes in 43 days |
| White-fronted goose | General season segment 2 | Statewide | Jan 25, 2027 to Feb 9, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 72 days |
Waterfowl Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth | Zone 1 | Oct 17, 2026 to Oct 18, 2026 | Closed closed |
| Youth | Zones 3 | Oct 17, 2026 to Oct 18, 2026 | Closed closed |
| Veterans and active duty military | Zone 1 | Oct 17, 2026 to Oct 18, 2026 | Closed closed |
| Veterans and active duty military | Zones 3 | Oct 17, 2026 to Oct 18, 2026 | Closed closed |
| Falconry | Low Plains | Feb 25, 2027 to Mar 10, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 103 days |
| Falconry | Zone 1 | Feb 25, 2027 to Mar 10, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 103 days |
| General season | Zone 1 | Oct 24, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | Open open, closes in 22 days |
| General season segment 2 | Zone 1 | Dec 19, 2026 to Jan 17, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 35 days |
| General season | Zone 2 | Oct 3, 2026 to Dec 15, 2026 | Open open, closes in 31 days |
| General season segment 2 | Zone 2 | Jan 6, 2027 to Jan 27, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 53 days |
| General season | Zone 3 | Oct 24, 2026 to Jan 5, 2027 | Open open, closes in 52 days |
| General season segment 2 | Zone 3 | Jan 6, 2027 to Jan 27, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 53 days |
Dove Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Jan 1, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026 | Open open, closes in 47 days |
| General season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 to Oct 30, 2026 | Closed closed |
Crow Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 to Dec 10, 2026 | Open open, closes in 26 days |
| General season segment 2 | Statewide | Jan 9, 2027 to Mar 11, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 56 days |
Rails and gallinules Closed
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 to Nov 9, 2026 | Closed closed |
Snipe Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 to Dec 16, 2026 | Open open, closes in 32 days |
Woodcock Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 to Nov 16, 2026 | Open open, closes in 2 days |
Quail Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026 | Closed closed |
| General season | Statewide | Oct 31, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 | Open open, closes in 78 days |
Grouse Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 | Open open, closes in 78 days |
Partridge Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026 | Closed closed |
| General season | Statewide | Oct 31, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 | Open open, closes in 78 days |
Pheasant Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026 | Closed closed |
| General season | Statewide | Oct 31, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 | Open open, closes in 78 days |
Squirrel Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Aug 1, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
Rabbit Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
| General season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
Badger Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Nov 1, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
Beaver Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Nov 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027 | Open open, closes in 137 days |
Bobcat Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Running; no harvest | Statewide | Mar 1, 2026 to Nov 30, 2027 | Open open, closes in 381 days |
| Hunt and trap | Statewide | Dec 1, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Upcoming opens in 17 days |
Fox Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Running, no harvest | Statewide | Mar 1, 2026 to Oct 31, 2026 | Closed closed |
| Hunt and trap | Statewide | Nov 1, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
| General season | Statewide | Nov 1, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
Mink Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Nov 1, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
Muskrat Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Nov 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027 | Open open, closes in 137 days |
Opossum Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunt only | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 to Oct 31, 2026 | Closed closed |
| Hunt and trap | Statewide | Nov 1, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
River otter Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Nov 1, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
Raccoon Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunt only | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 to Oct 31, 2026 | Closed closed |
| Hunt and trap | Statewide | Nov 1, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
Skunk Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Jan 1, 2026 to Dec 31, 2026 | Open open, closes in 47 days |
Weasel Open
| Season | Zone | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| General season | Statewide | Nov 1, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027 | Open open, closes in 106 days |
Questions
Is deer season open in Nebraska right now?
Yes. 4 deer seasons are open in Nebraska on November 14, and the last of them closes Jan 15, 2027.
Is wild turkey season open in Nebraska right now?
Yes. 2 wild turkey seasons are open in Nebraska on November 14, and the last of them closes Nov 30, 2026.
Is dove season open in Nebraska right now?
Yes. 1 dove season is open in Nebraska on November 14, and the last of them closes Dec 31, 2026.
When does the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission publish next year's season dates?
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has posted the coming year's dates between April and August in recent years. This page updates the day the agency's page changes.
Source: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Nebraska Game and Parks hunting seasons. Read today.