The rolling hills, vibrant grasslands, and lush forests of Nebraska offer a haven for wild turkeys, making it a prime destination for turkey hunting enthusiasts. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or a curious newcomer, this guide will provide you with all the essential information you need to plan your successful turkey hunt in the Cornhusker State.
Turkey Hunting Seasons in Nebraska:
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission meticulously manages the state’s wild turkey population and sets the hunting seasons accordingly. Here’s a breakdown of the 2024 turkey hunting seasons:
Spring Season:
- Dates:
- Archery: March 25 – May 31, 2024
- Youth Shotgun: April 6 – May 31, 2024
- Shotgun: April 13 – May 31, 2024
- Hunting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
- Bag Limit: One (1) turkey per calendar day
Fall Season:
- Dates: October 1 – November 30, 2024
- Hunting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
- Bag Limit: One (1) turkey per calendar day
Additional Information:
- Permits: A valid hunting permit and a turkey permit are required.
- Telecheck: All turkey harvests must be reported via Telecheck.
- Baiting: It is illegal to create a baited area on lands owned or controlled by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
- Nonresident Permit Increase: The base fee for nonresident turkey permits has increased from $125 to $140 (plus $3 issue fee) starting January 1, 2024.
- Nonresident Permit Quota: The nonresident quota for spring turkey permits is 10,000.
Planning Your Turkey Hunt:
- Research: Familiarize yourself with the regulations, bag limits, and season dates before heading out.
- Scouting: Locate areas with turkey sign, such as tracks, droppings, and feathers.
- Gear Up: Ensure you have the necessary license, permit, weapon, and appropriate clothing for the weather conditions.
- Practice: Hone your shooting skills and calling techniques before the season starts.
- Respect the Resource: Follow ethical hunting practices and leave the environment undisturbed.
Essential Gear and Regulations:
- Weapon: Legal options include shotguns with #4 or smaller shot, crossbows, bows and arrows, and certain handguns.
- Hunting Report: Hunters must report their turkey harvests via Telecheck.
- Evidence of Sex: It is illegal to possess or transport a wild turkey without the fully feathered head and beard (if present) attached until the carcass is processed.
- Restrictions: Using dogs, electronic calls, or electronic decoys is prohibited.
Additional Resources:
- Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Turkey Hunting Page: https://outdoornebraska.gov/hunt/game/turkey/
- Nebraska eRegulations Turkey Hunting Seasons: https://www.eregulations.com/nebraska/hunting/turkey-hunting-seasons
- Nebraska Hunting Permits: https://outdoornebraska.gov/permits/
- Nebraska Telecheck: https://outdoornebraska.gov/telecheck/
With careful planning, preparation, and adherence to regulations, you can have a successful and rewarding wild turkey hunting experience in Nebraska. Remember to prioritize safety, respect the resource, and enjoy the thrill of the chase!
Waterfowl Seasons & Daily Bag Limits
View the waterfowl zones in Nebraska here, and see additional information and regulations in the Waterfowl Guide on our guides page.
- North Central unit: Oct. 5, 2024–Jan. 17, 2025
- Platte River unit: Oct. 28, 2024–Feb. 9, 2025
- Niobrara unit: Oct. 28, 2024–Feb. 9, 2025
- Daily bag limit: 5; possession limit: 15
- Statewide: Oct. 12–Dec. 22, 2024; Jan. 25–Feb. 9, 2025
- Daily bag limit: 2; possession limit: 6
- Statewide: Oct. 12, 2024–Jan. 8, 2025; Jan. 25–Feb. 9, 2025
- Daily bag limit: 50; possession limit: none
- East zone: Feb. 10-Apr. 15, 2025
- West zone: Feb. 10-Apr. 5, 2025
- Rainwater Basin zone: Feb. 10-Apr. 5, 2025
- Daily bag & possession limits: none
*For special regulations see the Waterfowl Guide
- Low plains: Sept. 1–16, 2024
- High plains: Sept. 1–9, 2024
- Daily bag limit: 6; possession limit: 18
- Zone 1: Oct. 12–Dec. 24, 2024
- Zone 2: (High Plains) Oct. 5–Dec. 17, 2024 and Jan. 8-29, 2025.
- Zone 3: (High Plains) Oct. 26, 2024–Jan. 7, 2025 and Jan. 8–29, 2025.
- Zone 4: Oct. 26, 2024–Jan. 7, 2025
- Three times the daily bag limit is the possession limit. Six ducks per daily bag are the Tier I restriction; three ducks of any species and sex are the Tier II restriction.
- Zone 1: Oct. 5–6, 2024
- Zone 2: Sept. 28–29, 2024
- Zone 3: Oct. 19-20, 2024
- Zone 4: Oct. 19-20, 2024
- Three times the daily bag limit is the possession limit. Six ducks per daily bag are the Tier I restriction; three ducks of any species and sex are the Tier II restriction.
- Zone 1: Oct. 5-6
- Zone 2: Sept. 28-29
- Zone 3: Oct. 19-20
- Zone 4: Oct 19-20
- Daily Bag: Triple the daily bag limit applies to Tier I, which is restricted to six ducks per day, and Tier II, which is unrestricted to three ducks of any species or sex.
- Concurrent with teal, youth and regular duck season dates, plus:
- Zone 1: Feb. 25 – March 10, 2025
- Zone 2 Low Plains: Feb. High Plains: From March 25, 2025, to March 10, 2025: corresponding with the dates of the High Plains Zone duck season
- Zone 3: High Plains: corresponding with each date of the duck season in the High Plains Zone
- Zone 4: Feb. 25 – March 10, 2025
- Muskrat, beaver: Trap only: Nov. 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025.
- Badger: Hunt and trap: Nov. 1. 2024 – Feb. 28, 2025.
- Mink: Hunt and trap: Nov. 1 , 2024– Feb. 28, 2025.
- Bobcat Hunt and trap: Dec. 1 , 2024 – Feb. 28 2025 Operating; March 1–November 1, 2024–October 30, 2024; no harvest
- Raccoon Hunt only: Sept. 1 – Oct. 31, 2024 Hunt and trap: Nov. 1, 2024 – Feb. 28, 2025 Running, no harvest: March 1, 2024 – Aug. 17, 2024 .
- Virginia opossum Hunt only: Sept. 1 – Oct. 31, 2024 Hunt and trap: Nov. 1, 2024 – Feb. 28, 2025 Running, no harvest: March 1 – Aug. 17, 2024 .
- Striped skunk: Hunt and trap: year-round
- Long-tailed weasel: Hunt and trap: Nov. 1, 2024 – Feb. 28, 2025.
- Red fox Hunt and trap: Nov. 1, 2024 – Feb. 28, 2025 Running, no harvest: March 1, 2024 – Oct. 31, 2024 .
- Gray fox: Hunt and trap: Nov. 1, 2024 – Feb. 28, 2025.
- River otter: Trap only: Nov. 1, 2024, though Feb. 28, 2025. A legitimate permit holder is only allowed to harvest one river otter in a given season. Learn more.
- Spring youth shotgun: April 6–May 31, 2024
- Fall youth archery and shotgun: Oct. 1–Nov. 30, 2024
- Youth pheasant, quail and partridge: Oct. 19–20, 2024
- Zone 1: Oct. 6-8, 2024
- Zone 2: Sept. 28-29, 2024
- Zone 3: Oct. 19-20, 2024
- Zone 4: Oct. 19-20, 2024
- Three times the daily bag limit is the possession limit. Six ducks per daily bag are the Tier I restriction; three ducks of any species and sex are the Tier II restriction.
Because of its varied wildlife, Nebraska is among the best states in the union for hunting and exploration.
Nebraska TURKEY Hunting – What you need to KNOW before you GO
FAQ
Is turkey season open in Nebraska?
The fall turkey season is Oct. 1-Nov. 30.
How much is a turkey tag in Nebraska?
Spring season changes The base fee for nonresident turkey permits has increased from $125 to $140 (plus $3 issue fee) starting Jan. 1, 2024. The base fee for nonresident landowner turkey permits has increased from $62.50 to $70 (plus $3 issue fee) starting Jan. 1, 2024.
Which state has no turkey season?
Thanks to this conservation, every state except Alaska has a spring hunting season for turkey. And that’s simply because the turkey range doesn’t extend into Alaska. After deer, turkey is the most common animal hunters choose to hunt. There are a few key things to know before heading out for your spring turkey season.
What kind of turkey is in Nebraska?
Nebraska is home to three subspecies of wild turkeys – the Merriam’s, which is the most common, the eastem, and a hybrid of the two. Most nesting by wild turkeys in Nebraska occurs between April I 5 and July I. In most years, 75 to 100 percent of adult 11ens will attempt to nest.