HUNTING AND TRAPPING INFORMATION
HUNTER ORANGE
• Wearing hunter orange is strongly encouraged, especially during the November firearm deer and January
late deer seasons�
• Camouflage hunter orange patterns are legal if the required minimum of 400 square inches of hunter
orange material displayed on a hunter's head, chest and back is met�
HUNTER EDUCATION
Firearm hunter education is required in Nebraska for all hunters ages 12 through 29 who:
• hunt any game species with a firearm or air gun� Must carry proof of successful completion while
hunting�
Bowhunter education is required in Nebraska for all hunters ages 12 through 29 who:
• hunt deer, elk, antelope or mountain (bighorn) sheep with bow and arrow or crossbow� Must carry proof
of successful completion while hunting�
Certification Options
For hunters ages 11-15:
• Online course (Hunter-ed.com/Nebraska and/or Bowhunter-ed.com/Nebraska) followed by
participation in a two-hour Hunt Safe Session – Fee paid to online vendor
• Traditional 10-hour classroom course – No cost
For hunters ages 16 and older:
• Online course (Hunter-ed.com/Nebraska and/or Bowhunter-ed.com/Nebraska) with no other
requirements� – Fee paid to online vendor
• Traditional 10-hour classroom course – No cost
For more information, visit: huntsafenebraska.org� Those who have not completed a hunter education
course may obtain an Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption Certificate�
APPRENTICE HUNTER EDUCATION EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE
The $5 Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption Certificate provides the novice hunter age 12 and older
an opportunity to try hunting and receive training from an experienced hunter before completing Hunter
Education� A hunter using this certificate must be accompanied* at all times while hunting� This certificate
may be obtained once in each person's lifetime, expires on Dec� 31 and may be renewed once for a
consecutive year� It may be purchased at OutdoorNebraska.org�
*Accompanied is defined as: in the presence of a licensed, experienced hunter age 19 or older� There may be
no more than two hunters using the certificate accompanied by the experienced hunter at any time and the
experienced hunter must at all times be in unaided visual and verbal communication with the child under age
12 and/or the apprentice hunter ages 12 through 29� The experienced hunter must, if age 19-29, be certified in
hunter education�
FIREARM RESTRICTIONS
• During the November firearm deer season, it is unlawful to hunt wildlife other than deer with a centerfire
rifle or centerfire handgun�
EXCEPTION: This does not apply to a holder of a valid unfilled firearm deer permit while hunting in the unit for which
the permit was issued� It also does not apply to a bona fide farmer or rancher who owns, leases, or resides upon
such farm or ranch land or a member of the immediate family of such farmer or rancher while hunting on such farm
or ranch land�
It is illegal to have or carry a loaded shotgun in or on any vehicle on any highway or roadway� A shotgun is
considered loaded if there is a shell or shells in the chamber, receiver or magazine�
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