Access digital copies of guides and regulations publications from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Issue link: http://digital.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1520361
OutdoorNebraska.gov | 11 Deer 2024 FORECAST Deer populations and harvests have declined in recent years. In 2023, statewide mule deer buck harvest was the lowest since 1977 and whitetail buck harvest was the lowest since 1994. SEASON DATES • Archery: Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2024 • Special Landowner: Nov. 9 – 11, 2024 • November Firearm: Nov. 16 – 24, 2024 (starts on Saturday closest to November 13) • Muzzleloader: Dec. 1 – 31, 2024 • October River Antlerless Firearm: Oct. 1 – 15, 2024 • Late Antlerless Only Firearm: Jan. 1 – 15, 2025 LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF DEER • Buck – A deer having at least one antler 6 inches or more in length. • Antlerless – A deer with no antlers or antlers less than 6 inches in length. PERMIT MAXIMUMS Individuals may only have two permits that allow the harvest of a buck per year. Beyond unit quotas, there is no individual limit to the number of antlerless permits. They are allowed one unit permit that allows the harvest of a mule deer buck in each of these units: Buffalo, Calamus West, Frenchman, Loup West, Pine Ridge, Plains, Platte, Republican, Sandhills, Upper Platte. While they may not have two permits in any one of these units, they may have permits in different units and/or statewide permits. "SEASON CHOICE" EXPLAINED Many permits use a "season choice" format. These are valid for the entire season and the method of take is open to the legal method of the current open season, which includes Archery, November Firearm, Muzzleloader and may include Late Antlerless Firearm. The Special Landowner Season is not considered an "open" season for permits of this format. Follow the season dates on the permit. PERMIT DRAWING • The following are DRAW permits: For residents, Platte Any Deer and Frenchman Any Deer. For nonresidents, Sandhills Any Deer, Upper Platte Any Deer, Plains Any Deer, Calamus West Any Deer, Pine Ridge MDCA, Frenchman MDCA, Platte MDCA, Republican MDCA, Buffalo MDCA, Loup West Any Deer, Archery Deer, and Muzzleloader Deer. • The deer drawing is a preference point-based system, and those applicants who are unsuccessful are given a preference point toward future drawings. • In lieu of participating in the draw, hunters may purchase one deer preference point per year during the application period. • Permits are awarded to applicants with the highest number of points first until the permit quota is filled. • All points are lost once a permit is awarded during the drawing, whether first or second choice. • Draw results from previous years can be found at OutdoorNebraska.gov (Search Draw Results). • Any forfeited permits may be made available to the next unsuccessful applicant(s), then may go on sale Aug. 7, 2024. Scan the QR code to get more online deer hunting resources.