28 | Hunting Info: 402-471-0641
General Information
HUNTER ORANGE
• Wearing hunter orange is not required for upland game hunting or trapping but is strongly
encouraged, especially during the November firearm deer and January late deer seasons.
• Camouflage hunter orange patterns are legal if the required minimum of 400 square inches
of hunter orange material displayed on a hunter's head, chest and back is met.
HUNTER EDUCATION
Firearm hunter education is required in Nebraska for all hunters ages 12 through 29 who:
• hunt any game species with a firearm or air gun. Must carry proof of successful completion
while hunting.
Bowhunter education is required in Nebraska for all hunters ages 12 through 29 who:
• hunt deer, elk, antelope or mountain (bighorn) sheep with bow and arrow or crossbow.
Must carry proof of successful completion while hunting.
Certification Options
For hunters ages 11-15:
• Online course followed by two-hour Hunt Safe Session – Fee paid to vendor
• Traditional 10-hour classroom course – No cost
For hunters ages 16 and older:
• Online course with no other requirements – Fee paid to vendor
• Traditional 10-hour classroom course – No cost
For more information or to find courses, visit HuntSafeNebraska.org. Those who have not
completed a hunter education course may obtain an Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption
Certificate.
LEARNING TO HUNT
Adults aged 19 and older interested in learning to hunt or helping others learn to hunt can visit
LearnHunting.org to take the first step and learn more. Hunting is complicated, and the best way
to learn it is by going hunting with someone else.
APPRENTICE HUNTER EDUCATION EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE
The $5 Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption Certificate provides the novice hunter age 12
and older an opportunity to try hunting and receive training from an experienced hunter before
completing Hunter Education. A hunter using this certificate must be accompanied* at all times
while hunting. This certificate may be obtained once in each person's lifetime, expires on Dec. 31
and may be renewed once for a consecutive year. It may be purchased at OutdoorNebraska.gov.
*Accompanied is defined as: in the presence of a licensed, experienced hunter age 19 or older.
There may be no more than two hunters using the certificate accompanied by the experienced
hunter at any time and the experienced hunter must at all times be in unaided visual and verbal
communication with the child under age 12 and/or the apprentice hunter ages 12 through 29.
The experienced hunter must, if age 19-29, be certified in hunter education.
