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Issue link: https://digital.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1544968
OutdoorNebraska.gov | 11 Deer 2026 FORECAST Deer populations and harvests have declined in recent years. Recent mule deer buck harvests have rebounded slightly from 45-year lows and whitetail buck harvests are at 30-year lows. As a result, antlerless deer harvest has been reduced significantly and many buck permits have been limited (see permit tables below). Unit maps are available on the deer page. SEASON DATES Archery: Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2026 Special Landowner: Nov. 7 – 9, 2026 November Firearm: Nov. 14 – 22, 2026 (starts on Saturday closest to Nov. 13) Muzzleloader: Dec. 1 – 31, 2026 October River Antlerless Firearm: Oct. 1 – 15, 2026 Late Antlerless Only Firearm: Jan. 1 – 15, 2027 LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF DEER • Buck – A deer having at least one antler 6 inches or more in length. • Antlerless – A deer with no antlers or antlers less than 6 inches in length. PERMIT MAXIMUMS Individuals may only have two permits that allow the harvest of a buck per year (The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission was to consider changing that limit from two to one at its June 2026 meeting.). Beyond unit quotas, there is no individual limit to the number of antlerless permits. While individuals may not have two permits in any one of the units in the table to the right, they may have permits in different units and/or statewide permits. 'SEASON CHOICE' EXPLAINED Many permits use a "season choice" format. These are valid for the entire season and the method of take is open to the legal method of the current open season, which includes Archery, November Firearm, Muzzleloader and may include Late Antlerless Firearm. The Special Landowner Season is not considered an "open" season for permits of this format. Follow the season dates on the permit. PERMIT DRAWING • The deer drawing is a preference point-based system, and those applicants who are unsuccessful are given a preference point toward future drawings. • In lieu of participating in the draw, hunters may purchase one deer preference point per year during the application period. • Permits are awarded to applicants with the highest number of points first until the permit quota is filled. ONE PERMIT ONLY Individuals are allowed one unit permit that allows the harvest of a mule deer buck in each of these units: Buffalo Plains Calamus West Platte Frenchman Republican Loup West Sandhills Pine Ridge Upper Platte