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Issue link: http://digital.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1520361
20 | Big Game Info: 402-471-0641 Elk 2024 FORECAST Elk populations have declined from recent highs, but numbers are still good across much of their range. They have expanded their range in recent years, as well. In response, management units have been recently restructured to help distribute permits and hunters appropriately. SEASON DATES • Bull Archery: Sept. 1 – Oct. 31, 2024 • Firearm: Sept. 21 – Oct. 31, 2024 • Antlerless: Aug. 1, 2024 – Jan. 31, 2025 • Early Antlerless: Aug. 1 – Oct. 31, 2024 • Late Antlerless: Nov. 1, 2024 – Jan. 31, 2025 • State and federally owned land closed to Antlerless Elk permits from Aug. 1 – Sept. 20, 2024 LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF AN ELK • Bull – A male with antlers 6 inches or more in length. • Antlerless – No antlers or antlers less than 6 inches in length. PERMIT MAXIMUMS • Individuals may only have one elk permit per year and may only submit one application per year. • General Cow: No more than one in five years. • General Bull: No more than one in five years; bull harvest limit of once in a lifetime. • Landowner Cow: One per year. • Landowner Bull: No more than one in three years. PERMIT DRAWING • General Bull permits are drawn based on a bonus-point system. Unsuccessful applicants are given a point, which is applied to future drawings. Applicants have an additional chance in the drawing for each point that they accumulate. Bonus points only are awarded for first-choice bull permits. • General Antlerless permits are drawn on a lottery system following the completion of the Bull permit drawing from the same application. Applicants have one chance in the antlerless drawing. • Landowner Bull permits are drawn on a preference point-based system. Unsuccessful applicants are given a point that is applied to future drawings; nonresident landowners receive 0.9 points instead of 1. Applicants with the most points are given preference in the drawing. • Landowner Antlerless permits are drawn on a lottery system following the completion of the Bull permit drawing from the same application. Applicants have one chance in the antlerless drawing. • All points are lost when a bull permit is issued from the drawing. Scan the QR code to get more online elk hunting resources.