Access digital copies of guides and regulations publications from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Issue link: https://digital.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1544968
4 | Big Game Info: 402-471-0641 New for 2026 Deer Unit Buck Permits Season Choice Format – Permits that previously were titled November Firearm permits have been converted to Season Choice format and are valid for the open season with the legal weapons and are now called Unit Buck Permits. Bag limits vary by permit and include buck only and either sex. See the Unit Buck permit table for details. See page13. River Antlerless – The boundaries and the format of the River Antlerless permit has changed considerably. Instead of a single unit, River Antlerless has been divided into four units to distribute permit use as deer populations have declined. See pages 15-16. Pine Ridge-Plains Unit Boundary Change – The boundary between the Pine Ridge and Plains deer management units at Box Butte Reservoir Wildlife Management Area/State Recreation Area has changed. The new boundary follows the northern boundary of the WMA/SRA, so now the entire area is included in the Plains unit and those who hunt Box Butte Reservoir WMA will need a Plains permit. Pine Ridge permits are no longer valid on the area. Permit Quotas – There were minor adjustments to deer permit quotas and bag limits. See pages 12-17. Nonresident Permit Limits – The nonresident buck permit quota was reduced from 10,000 to 9,000 to keep pace with overall permit reductions. Statewide Archery and Statewide Muzzleloader Bag Limits – The bag limit for both residents and nonresidents with archery and muzzleloader permits is Any Deer², which prohibits antlerless mule deer harvest. Elk Unit Boundary – The boundary between units 4 and 10 was adjusted to account for elk movement across that boundary. See the Elk unit map on page 22 for details. Permit Quotas – There are minor adjustments in permit quotas. See pages 23 and 24. Bull Season – The bull season is expanded to include Dec. 16-31. The general draw is moving to a bonus point squared system. Antelope Permit Quotas – There are fairly significant adjustments in antelope permit quotas. See page 26. Weapons Muzzleloaders – For muzzleloaders used during muzzleloader season, the bullet or sabot must be loaded through the muzzle. The powder charge now may be loaded through the breech. Change in Deer Permit Limit Considered A recommendation was made at the June 2026 meeting of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to lower the annual personal limit of deer permits that allow the harvest of a buck from two to one. See updates at OutdoorNebraska.gov.