Nebraska reducing tags again

[fulldraw1972]

There is lots of talk about the possible changes in Michigan lately.
Another state that is considering changing to a 1 buck state is Nebraska. Another change this year is a reduction of nonresident tags from 10,000 to 9,000 tags for non residents.

 

[SGR]

This is great info, fulldraw. Thanks. Nebraska is still one of the more accessible states for nonresident bowhunters, thankfully. I grew up in Nebraska and like to get back there for bow season. That's about impossible in some states, but Nebraska thankfully is not too bad, price-wise and availability of nonresident permits.

 

[partsunavailable]

Some units of Nebraska are in desperate need of tag reduction.

 

[Laramie]

There is lots of talk about the possible changes in Michigan lately.
Another state that is considering changing to a 1 buck state is Nebraska. Another change this year is a reduction of nonresident tags from 10,000 to 9,000 tags for non residents.

No longer being considered - it is a done deal. Nebraska is now a 1 buck state.

 

[The_Jim]

No longer being considered - it is a done deal. Nebraska is now a 1 buck state.

I was under the impression that would happen next year - did I miss something?

 

[Bearded Bowhunter]

As someone who was a resident for 12 years, this is long overdue and necessary.

 

[Plainsman79]

No longer being considered - it is a done deal. Nebraska is now a 1 buck state.

Do you have a reference?

I’m asking, not doubting your statement.

 

[fulldraw1972]

No longer being considered - it is a done deal. Nebraska is now a 1 buck state.

When did it change? Is there any information out there on it?
The 2026 big game brochure mentions a June 2026 meeting to decide. It’s only May.
It’s right in the printing in my attached picture.
It also says 2 buck limit.

 

[Glendon Mullins]

As someone who was a resident for 12 years, this is long overdue and necessary.

as someone who is a non resident and hunted there one time I AGREE!! lol

 

[wildwilderness]

any move to make the Non-resident tags a draw? Unit specific?

 

[fulldraw1972]

any move to make the Non-resident tags a draw? Unit specific?

Archery and muzzleloader non resident tags are by draw and have been for a couple of years now.
There are certain gun zones that are draw and certain zones are otc for non residents.
I have included a link to the 2026 big game hunting guide.

https://outdoornebraska.gov/guides-maps/

 

[fulldraw1972]

I did some more research and found this.
There is a hearing date of June 12th for the proposed changes.
In the proposed changes they call out a 1 buck permit personal limit. I am assuming if it passes it goes into effect 2/1/2027 per the attachment I provided.
So Ne is Not a 1 buck state yet and if it does pass this year it won’t go into effect till next year.

https://outdoornebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-CO3-Deer-Antelope-Elk-35-Day.pdf

 

[Laramie]

Do you have a reference?

I’m asking, not doubting your statement.

Luke Meduna, NE big game coordinator posted that it was just formalities from this point forward and that it had all necessary approval.

 

[cnelk]

It’s been a few years since I hunted NE and even back then tags needed to be reduced.

I even mentioned that on a few post hunt surveys

All govt agencies are on drugs, but speed ain’t one

 

[Kurts86]

As much as I don’t love losing Nonresident opportunities this is at least half a decade overdue.

 

[Coveyleader]

Push the rifle seasons back, and look out. Until then, eh, not worth the squeeze.

 

[wildwilderness]

Archery and muzzleloader non resident tags are by draw and have been for a couple of years now.
There are certain gun zones that are draw and certain zones are otc for non residents.
I have included a link to the 2026 big game hunting guide.

https://outdoornebraska.gov/guides-maps/

I looked in it a bit and see there were leftover NR archery tags after the draw. I guess like all places that will go away with time as more people put in, and deer decline.

 

[Kurts86]

Push the rifle seasons back, and look out. Until then, eh, not worth the squeeze.

Even moving the season start back a week would minimize the heavy draw for MN, WI and East River SD nonresidents. Nebraska starts a week before their gun hunts most years. MO is the only firearm deer state that is a conflict for Nebraska in a neighboring state. KS and IA open in December and Colorado Wyoming deer hunts are mostly over when Nebraska deer season opens.

 

[fulldraw1972]

Even moving the season start back a week would minimize the heavy draw for MN, WI and East River SD nonresidents. Nebraska starts a week before their gun hunts most years. MO is the only firearm deer state that is a conflict for Nebraska in a neighboring state. KS and IA open in December and Colorado Wyoming deer hunts are mostly over when Nebraska deer season opens.

MN gun season is before Nebraska’s gun season, it typically closes the weekend Nebraska’s begins.
This year MN opens on Nov 7th.

By moving the gun season back 2 weeks you get it out of the rut. When Nebraska’s gun season opens it’s in the heart of peak lock down. Bucks in NE are easily seen in open country locked down with a doe.

MN struggles with doe harvest. They even have an early doe season in certain units. If they moved their gun season back the does would be on a more bed to feed routine. The does are laying low because the little bucks harassed them so bad at the beginning of the rut.

 

[Sandhills]

Some units of Nebraska are in desperate need of tag reduction.

As in the whole state.