OutdoorNebraska.gov | 17
State Parks and State Historical Parks
• Some SP and SHP lands allow limited managed hunting opportunities.
• Special regulations apply and hunting access permits often are required.
• Parks with managed hunting have several safety requirements in place, including distancing
requirements from campgrounds, parking lots and other areas, hunter check-ins and signs
posted at designated hunting areas.
• Trapping is authorized by special permit and only when depredation is occurring.
• A park entry permit is required for each vehicle entering a state park or historical park.
Other Publicly Accessible Lands:
Waterfowl Production Areas
• These federal lands are purchased with Federal Duck stamp revenue.
• They are open to public recreation, but camping is prohibited. Nontoxic shot is required
and other special regulations may apply; visit FWS.gov/Refuge/Rainwater_Basin_wmd.
U.S. Forest Service
• These are federally managed lands; special regulations may apply.
• Most national forests and grasslands managed by the U.S. Forest Service are open to
hunting, unless otherwise posted.
• The U.S. Forest Service restricts motorized travel on the Nebraska National Forest and
Grassland to designated roads or trails. Routes are designated "open" or "closed" for
motorized travel. Cross-country or off-road uses of motorized vehicles are prohibited,
unless routes or areas are designated open. Motor vehicle use for big game retrieval
and dispersed camping is allowed within 300 feet of most roads and trails that are
designated open. Areas in Nebraska include Bessey Ranger District near Halsey,
McKelvie National Forest near Valentine, Pine Ridge Ranger District near Chadron, and
Oglala National Grasslands near Crawford. Refer to the Motor Vehicle Use Maps issued
by the U.S. Forest Service. They may be obtained at all Forest Service District offices,
by request at U.S. Forest Service, 125 N. Main St., Chadron, NE 69337, 308-432-0300 or
by visiting FS.USDA.gov/Nebraska.
National Wildlife Refuges and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• These are federally managed lands. Check with these agencies for special regulations
that may apply.
• In an effort to expand existing hunting opportunities, the USFWS listed new rules for
NWR lands during the fall of 2020. Visit the refuge websites for the most up-to-date
information.
Natural Resources District
• These lands are owned by local government entities; special regulations apply.
• Some NRD-owned lands are managed by the NRDs and some are managed by Game
and Parks as WMAs.
• Contact the nearest NRD office for more information about these lands.
