Nebraska hunting
Public hunting land in Nebraska
Caliber maps 331 public hunting areas in Nebraska, with Nebraska Game and Parks Commission's license fees, hunter education rules and official links in one place. Find the closest land to you on a list or a map, free.
Nebraska · 331 areas
Valentine National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife refuge · 144,700 acres
Nebraska National Forest
National forest · 140,857 acres
Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest
National forest · 115,772 acres
Oglala National Grassland
National grassland · 94,527 acres
Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife refuge · 92,597 acres
Largest areas shown. Caliber sorts all 331 by distance from you.
- 314
- State wildlife areas
- 2
- National forests
- 2
- National grasslands
- 1
- BLM land
- 12
- National wildlife refuges
Nebraska hunting licenses and rules
- Wildlife agency
- Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
- Phone
- 402-471-0641
- Resident license
- $20 — Resident Small Game Hunt Permit (age 16+); Habitat Stamp $25 also required
- Nonresident license
- $128 — Nonresident Small Game Hunt Permit (age 16+); 2-day $89; Habitat Stamp $25 also required
- Hunter education
- Hunters ages 12 through 29 must carry proof of hunter education (or buy a $5 apprentice exemption certificate).
- Good to know
- Habitat Stamp ($25, resident and nonresident) is required to hunt; residents 69+ and qualifying veterans are exempt.
Fees and rules as published by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, checked Oct 31, 2026. They change, so confirm on the agency's site. This isn't legal advice.
Official links
- Hunting licenses
- Season dates
- Regulations
- Public hunting lands
- Nebraska Game and Parks Commission website
Practicing for hunter ed?
Caliber has unofficial hunter education practice questions with explanations.
Try sample questions →Largest public hunting areas in Nebraska
The 12 biggest of 331 areas. Caliber has every one, with a map, and sorts them by distance from you.
| Area | Type | Acres | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valentine National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 144,700 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Nebraska National Forest | National forest | 140,857 | Open |
| Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest | National forest | 115,772 | Open |
| Oglala National Grassland | National grassland | 94,527 | Open |
| Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 92,597 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 38,186 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Lake Mcconaughy State Recreation Area And Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 33,184 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Desoto National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 8,635 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Buffalo Creek Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 8,171 | Open |
| Ponderosa Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 8,013 | Open |
| Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge | Wildlife refuge | 7,936 | Restricted: permit, reservation or special rules |
| Metcalf Wildlife Management Area | State wildlife area | 6,554 | Open |
State wildlife areas · 314
Run for wildlife and, usually, hunting. Many need a state license plus a land-use permit or have their own season dates, draw hunts or weapon limits.
National forests · 2
Hunting is generally allowed under state hunting laws, except near developed sites and where posted. Some areas close for fire or wildlife.
National grasslands · 2
Hunting is generally allowed under state hunting laws. Grasslands are often mixed with private land, so know the boundaries.
BLM land · 1
Hunting is generally allowed under state hunting laws. BLM land is often scattered between private parcels, so legal access can be the hard part.
National wildlife refuges · 12
Refuges allow hunting only where and when each refuge opens it, often with its own permit and rules. Check the refuge's hunt page before you go.
Nebraska hunting FAQ
Where can I find public hunting land in Nebraska?
Caliber lists 331 public hunting areas in Nebraska: 314 state wildlife areas, 2 national forests, 2 national grasslands, 1 blm land, 12 national wildlife refuges. Open Caliber, enter your ZIP and see the closest areas on a list or a map. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission also publishes its own public hunting land information on its website.
How much is a hunting license in Nebraska?
As published by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (checked Oct 31, 2026): resident, $20 — Resident Small Game Hunt Permit (age 16+); Habitat Stamp $25 also required; nonresident, $128 — Nonresident Small Game Hunt Permit (age 16+); 2-day $89; Habitat Stamp $25 also required. Fees change, so confirm on the agency's licensing page before you buy.
Do I need hunter education to hunt in Nebraska?
Hunters ages 12 through 29 must carry proof of hunter education (or buy a $5 apprentice exemption certificate). Check Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for exemptions and current rules.
When is hunting season in Nebraska?
Seasons vary by species, zone and year, so Caliber links to Nebraska Game and Parks Commission's official season-date page instead of listing dates. Always check current regulations before you hunt.
Find Nebraska hunting land near you
All 331 Nebraska areas on a list or a map, sorted by distance, plus a free bullet drop calculator and DOPE book. Free on iPhone.
Free download · Optional Caliber Pro upgrade · iPhone and iPad
Public hunting land in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
More in Caliber
Public hunting land
Public hunting land in all 50 states, with each state's license fees and official links.
Learn more →
Ballistic calculator & shooting tools
Free bullet drop calculator, DOPE book, scope clicks, distance estimating and more.
Learn more →
Shooting range finder
5,600+ shooting ranges nationwide, on a list or a map, with filters.
Learn more →
Area data: USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1, public domain. Access as recorded in PAD-US. Always check current regulations, seasons and access rules with Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the managing agency before you hunt.
CaliberBecome a safer, more skilled firearm owner. Free on iPhone and iPad.
Download on the App StoreFeatures
Guides & directories
- The four firearm safety rules
- California FSC practice test
- Texas LTC practice test
- Hunter education practice test
- Shooting range directory
- Public hunting land in Colorado
- Public hunting land in Florida
- Public hunting land in Georgia
- Public hunting land in Michigan
- Public hunting land in Minnesota
- Public hunting land in Pennsylvania
- Public hunting land in Texas
- Public hunting land in Wisconsin
Caliber is an educational and tracking tool for lawful, responsible ownership. It is not legal advice and not a substitute for in-person instruction. Caliber doesn't sell firearms, ammunition or accessories. Always follow the four safety rules and your local laws. Caliber is made by Norbrook Media LLC. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.