18 | Turkey Hunting Information: 402-471-0641
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 2024-2025, the
program provided public access
opportunities on 435,625 land
acres, 39 ponds and lakes,
and nearly 41.84 stream miles
across Nebraska. Visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/OFW 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 wild turkey in, unless otherwise posted, state wayside areas, hatcheries,
reserves, the Garden County Refuge, Lincoln County Refuge, Boyd-Holt County Refuge,
Dodge-Saunders County Refuge or any roadway or highway, including the right-of-way.
A hunter sets out turkey decoys in an alfalfa field along
Frenchman Creek in Hayes County.
RED PAINT MARKS INDICATE CLOSED TO HUNTING
The landowner or tenant who is the principal operator of a farm or ranch may post such
property to allow for hunting, by written permission only, by placing identifying red
paint marks on trees or posts in the following manner:
• The marks must be vertical lines at least 8 inches long and 3 inches wide on trees
or posts that are not metal. If metal posts are used, the marks must completely
surround the post and extend down at least 8 inches from the top of the post. The
bottom edge of the marks must be at least 3 feet and no more than 5 feet off the
ground;
• The marks must be readily visible to any person approaching the property; and
• The marks must be placed at each field entrance and not be more than 100 yards
apart.
