Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
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Public access for recreation
In Nebraska, our lands are 97% privately owned. Recognizing the immense popularity and tradition of
hunting, fi shing and boating in Nebraska, we've worked diligently to enhance these outdoor pastimes by
creating more places for people to go.
Hunting and fi shing lands
In addition to state, federal and conservation partner lands, a record 435,594 acres of private lands were
enrolled in Open Fields and Waters in 2024. OFW is a voluntary program that off ers fi nancial incentives and
liability protection to landowners willing to allow public walk-in access for hunting, trapping, and/or fi shing.
A new innovative partnership, the Nebraska Community Access Partnership — launched in 2024 —
focused on increasing Open Fields and Waters opportunities in the Ogallala area and the southern Panhandle.
The collaboration among Game and Parks, OnX Maps, Pheasants Forever and Keith County communities,
added 43,893 acres of access, 29,901 of them new to OFW.
All of these lands are promoted at OutdoorNebraska.gov and in the annual Public Access Atlas, released
each fall as a way to assist residents and nonresidents in fi nding places to hunt.
In a customer study completed last year, 74% of Nebraskans reported being satisfi ed with Nebraska's
publicly accessible lands.
In addition to state, federal and
conservation partner lands, a record
435,594 acres of private lands were
enrolled in Open Fields and Waters in
2024. OFW is a voluntary program that
off ers fi nancial incentives and liability
protection to landowners willing to
allow public walk-in access for hunting,
trapping, and/or fi shing.
