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U.S. Forest Service
• These are federally managed lands; special regulations may apply.
• Most national forests and grasslands managed by the U.S. Forest Service are open to hunting,
unless otherwise posted.
• 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 and 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 2022-2023,
the program provided public access opportunities on 372,027 land acres, 42 ponds and lakes, and
41.9 stream miles across Nebraska. Visit OutdoorNebraska.gov 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.gov and search for "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.
