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Where to Hunt
PRIVATE LANDS
It is the responsibility of every hunter to get permission to hunt, trail game or retrieve downed game on
private land, whether the boundary is posted or not, including railroad right-of-ways. Hunting without
permission may result in a fine of up to $500, three months in jail and the loss of hunting privileges for up to
three years.
PUBLIC LANDS
The Public Access Atlas lists more than 300
publicly owned areas. Refer to the atlas for area-
specific regulations. Unless otherwise posted,
big game hunting is allowed on all wildlife
management areas. Hunting is allowed on most
state recreation areas beginning the Tuesday
following Labor Day, with hunting prohibited
within 100 yards of any public use facility or
activity area.
Some areas have specific restrictions:
• Nebraska state parks, wayside areas,
hatcheries, reserves, and state refuges are
closed to hunting unless otherwise posted.
• Use of ATVs and UTVs is not allowed on
public lands unless specifically permitted by
the managing agency.
• Most national wildlife refuges managed
by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and
national forests and grasslands managed by the U.S. Forest Service are open to hunting, unless
otherwise posted.
OPEN FIELDS AND WATERS PROGRAM
The Open Fields and Waters Program has opened
more than 380,000 acres of private land to public
walk-in hunting access across Nebraska. This
voluntary program offers financial incentives to
landowners willing to allow public walk-in access
for hunting, trapping and/or fishing.
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides hunting opportunities on many of their refuges. See fws.gov/
program/national-wildlife-refuge-system to see regulations for each specific refuge.
TRAVEL ON U.S. FOREST SERVICE LAND
Visit fs.usda.gov/nebraska for information about traveling on U.S. Forest Service land in Nebraska. This
includes the Pine Ridge and Bessey Ranger Districts of Nebraska National Forest, McKelvie National Forest,
and Oglala National Grasslands.
HUNTING ON NATIONAL PARK SERVICE LAND
Visit nps.gov/mnrr/planyourvisit/hunting.htm for information about big game hunting on National Park
Service land in Nebraska.
PUBLIC ACCESS ATLAS
There are more than a million acres of publicly
accessible lands throughout
Nebraska. The Public Access
Atlas identifies and consolidates
these public access resources
for the benefit of Nebraska's
hunters, trappers and anglers.
The printed atlas is available
wherever hunting and fishing
permits are sold. Scan the
QR code to view the alas.
It also may be viewed at
OutdoorNebraska.gov.
Search "Public Access Atlas."
MOUNTAIN LIONS ON CAMERA
Game and Parks would like anyone who captures
a photo of a mountain lion to contact the nearest
agency district office or Sam Wilson, furbearer
and carnivore program manager, at 402-471-5174
or sam.wilson@nebraska.gov.
