46 | Hunting Info: 402-471-0641
• The U�S� Forest Service restricts motorized travel on the Nebraska National Forest and Grassland
to designated roads or trails� Routes are designated "open" or "closed" for motorized travel�
Cross-country or off-road uses of motorized vehicles are prohibited, unless routes or areas are
designated open� Motor vehicle use for big game retrieval and dispersed camping is allowed
within 300 feet of most roads and trails that are designated open� Areas in Nebraska include
Bessey Ranger District near Halsey, McKelvie National Forest near Valentine, Pine Ridge Ranger
District near Chadron, and Oglala National Grasslands near Crawford� Refer to the Motor Vehicle
Use Maps issued by the U�S� Forest Service� They may be obtained at all Forest Service District
offices, by request at U�S� Forest Service, 125 N� Main St�, Chadron, NE 69337, 308-432-0300 or
by visiting FS�USDA�gov/Nebraska�
National Wildlife Refuges and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• These are federally managed lands� Check with these agencies for special regulations that may
apply�
• For more information on National Wildlife Refuge lands (managed by the U�S� Fish & Wildlife
Service), view refuge hunting and fishing brochures or contact a refuge directly�
Natural Resources District
• These lands are owned by local government entities; special regulations apply�
• Some NRD-owned lands are managed by the NRDs and some are managed by the Commission as
WMAs�
• Contact the nearest NRD office for more information about these lands�
Conservation Partners
• These lands are owned or managed by conservation partners such as Platte River Basin
Environments, Pheasants and Quail Forever, and Ducks Unlimited� Check with those organizations
for special regulations�
Open Fields and Waters Program
• These are private lands open to walk-in hunting, trapping and/or fishing� Game and Parks' OFW
program provides financial incentives to private landowners willing to allow access� In 2020-2021,
the program provided public access opportunities on more than 381,000 land acres, 42 ponds and
lakes, and nearly 43 stream miles across Nebraska� Visit OutdoorNebraska�gov/OFW for more
information�
Other Public Access Programs
• The Platte River Recreation Access Program provides limited, walk-in public access on select lands
through an online reservation system� Visit PlatteAccess�org�
• The Passing Along the Heritage Program provides youth and their mentors access on select
lands through an online reservation system� Only youth under the age of 18 may hunt� Visit
OutdoorNebraska�org/PATH�
PRIVATE LANDS
Most hunting and trapping in Nebraska is done on private land, where trespassing is prohibited by law�
Hunters and trappers must get permission before hunting or trapping on private land that is not part of a
public access program, whether it is posted or not�
CLOSED LANDS
You may not hunt in, unless otherwise posted, state wayside areas, hatcheries, reserves, state refuges or
any roadway or highway, including the right-of-way�
