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Small Game and Waterfowl Guide 2025-26 web

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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, there is an online course followed by two-hour Hunt Safe Session (fee paid to vendor) or a traditional 10-hour classroom course (free). • For hunters ages 16 and older, there is an online course with no other requirements (fee paid to vendor) or a traditional 10-hour classroom course (free). Find more information and courses at 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. 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. FIREARM RESTRICTIONS • During the November firearm deer season, it is unlawful to hunt wildlife other than deer, elk or antelope with a centerfire rifle or centerfire handgun. EXCEPTION: This does not apply to a holder of a valid unfilled firearm deer, elk or antelope permit while hunting in the unit for which the permit was issued. It also does not apply to a bona fide farmer or rancher who owns, leases, or resides upon such farm or ranch land or a member of the immediate family of such farmer or

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