Nebraska Hunting Laws

What makes land legally posted in Nebraska?

You need the owner's permission to hunt any private land in Nebraska, posted or not. Landowners can also post land as "Hunting By Written Permission Only": signs at least 11 x 14 inches with 1.5-inch letters and the owner's name and address, placed at each field entrance, every 440 yards and at all corners.

General criminal trespass (Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-521) also covers land posted in a manner reasonably likely to come to intruders' attention, or fenced to keep people out.

Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. 37-722; 37-724 · official source

Does Nebraska have a purple paint law?

Nebraska does not use purple paint. Its paint option is red: vertical red marks at least 8 x 3 inches on trees or non-metal posts (or fully around the top 8 inches of metal posts), 3-5 feet off the ground, at each field entrance and no more than 100 yards apart. Red-painted land means written permission only.

Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. 37-724(2) · official source

Do you need written permission to hunt private land in Nebraska?

Verbal permission is enough on most private land. On land posted "Hunting By Written Permission Only" (signs or red paint), you need written permission dated and signed by the farm or ranch operator unless you are a family member.

The operator sets how long each written permit lasts.

Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. 37-722; 37-725 · official source

What is the penalty for hunting trespass in Nebraska?

Hunting private land without permission, or violating the written-permission posting law, is a Class III misdemeanor with a minimum $200 fine. On legally posted land, an officer can arrest you without the landowner signing a complaint.

The landowner can also recover (replevin) any animals or pelts taken without permission (37-722). A Class III misdemeanor carries up to 3 months in jail and/or a $500 fine.

Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. 37-727; 37-726 · official source

Can you hunt from or near a road in Nebraska?

It is illegal to shoot at any wildlife from a highway or roadway. This covers the area from the center of the traveled surface out to the right-of-way on either side. You also may not shoot big game from a moving vehicle.

Class III misdemeanor with a fine of at least $500. Carrying a loaded shotgun in a vehicle on a highway is also illegal (37-522).

Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. 37-513(1); 166 NAC 1-001.01B6 · official source

What are legal shooting hours in Nebraska?

Big game may be hunted from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.

Turkey may not be taken while perched in a tree before sunrise (166 NAC 1-001.01B8). Check the current Big Game Guide for season-specific details.

Source: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2026 Big Game Guide, p. 37 (Shooting Hours) · official source

What are the blaze orange requirements in Nebraska?

Anyone hunting deer, antelope, wild turkey, elk or bighorn sheep during a firearm season must wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange, displayed on the head, chest and back.

Archers are exempt during non-centerfire firearm seasons and where no centerfire season is open (37-527(4)), and during antelope, elk and bighorn sheep firearm seasons (166 NAC 1-001.01C). Violation: Class V misdemeanor.

Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. 37-527 · official source

Is night hunting legal in Nebraska?

It is illegal to hunt wildlife by shining a spotlight, headlight or other light from a vehicle or boat while you have a firearm or bow. While hunting game animals or game birds you may not have night-vision (light-amplifying or infrared) scopes or sights that project a visible beam onto the target attached to any gun, crossbow or bow; illuminated red-dot sights are allowed. Raccoon may be hunted on foot with a handlight.

Landowners, operators and their employees may use lights to take unprotected species on their own land to protect property. Violation: Class III misdemeanor, minimum $250 fine.

Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. 37-514; 166 NAC 1-001.01B3 · official source

Do you need a hunting license to hunt your own land in Nebraska?

Partly. A person who owns or operates a farm or ranch and lives on it, with their spouse and children living there too, can hunt small game and upland birds on that land without a permit or habitat stamp. Deer, elk, antelope, wild turkey, bighorn sheep and migratory waterfowl still need permits.

Discounted limited landowner permits are available for deer, antelope, turkey, elk and mountain lion (37-455). Resident children under 16 need no hunting permit (37-410).

Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. 37-403 · official source

Who needs hunter education in Nebraska?

Hunters aged 12 through 29 must carry proof of a firearm hunter education course to hunt with a firearm or air gun. Bowhunter education is required for ages 12-29 hunting deer, antelope, elk or bighorn sheep with a bow or crossbow. Kids under 12 may hunt when accompanied.

An apprentice exemption certificate ($5, once in a lifetime with one renewal) lets ages 12-29 hunt without the course while accompanied by a permitted adult 19+.

Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. 37-413; 37-414 · official source

Is Sunday hunting legal in Nebraska?

Nebraska has no Sunday hunting restriction. Hunting is allowed every day of the open season.

Source: official source

Is it legal to bait deer in Nebraska?

Baiting is legal on private land with limits. You may not hunt big game or turkey within 200 yards of a baited area (grain, fruit, vegetables, nuts, hay, minerals including salt, or other food attractants); the hunter and the animal must both be outside that radius. Creating a baited area on land owned or controlled by Game and Parks is illegal at any time.

An area stays baited for 10 days after all bait is completely removed. The 200-yard restriction applies only to property under the same ownership, control or lease as the bait. Baiting game birds is illegal (Neb. Rev. Stat. 37-537). Nebraska's wildlife rules were renumbered from Title 163 to Title 166 NAC (Game and Parks Commission, chapter 1 effective Jan. 3, 2026).

Source: 166 NAC 1-001.01B9 · official source

Can you use a crossbow during archery season in Nebraska?

Yes. Crossbows are legal archery equipment for deer, antelope, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain lion and turkey. They need a draw weight of at least 125 pounds, must be designed to be fired from the shoulder, and cannot be electronically loaded, cocked or fired.

Source: 166 NAC 1-001.01B2 · official source

Can you use a drone to scout or recover game in Nebraska?

From one day before through the end of an open season, you may not use an aircraft (including a drone) or any vehicle to spot or locate game and relay its location to hunters by radio or other electronic device. Shooting from or harassing animals with an aircraft is also illegal.

Flying a drone over someone's property to watch them without consent is criminal trespass (28-521(2)).

Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. 37-517; 37-509 · official source

Is a landowner liable if someone gets hurt hunting on their land in Nebraska?

Yes. Landowners owe no duty to keep land safe or to warn of hazards for people using it for recreation, including hunting. The protection does not apply to willful or malicious failure to warn or guard, or when the owner charges for entry.

Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. 37-731; 37-734 · official source