Nebraska Bird Hunting

Seasons Span October 25 – January 31, 2026

State Drought Monitor – Upland hunting conditions are often highly dependent upon moisture for both habitat production and bird survival.

Season Dates

  • Pheasant, Quail, and Partridge:
    • Regular Season: October 25, 2025 – January 31, 2026
    • Youth Season (ages 15 and under): October 18–19, 2025
  • Prairie Grouse (Prairie Chicken and Sharp-tailed Grouse):
    • September 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026 (split into Eastern and Western zones)
  • Woodcock: October 4 – November 17, 2025

Required Licenses and Costs

  • Residents:
    • Small Game Hunt Permit: Required for hunters aged 16 and older to hunt upland game birds, rabbits, squirrels, doves, and other webless migratory birds. Cost: Approximately $18 (based on 2024 data; confirm with Nebraska Game and Parks for 2025 updates).
    • Habitat Stamp: Required for all hunters pursuing small game (with exemptions for certain landowners, veterans, or seniors). Cost: $25 (2024 data; confirm for 2025).
    • Youth (under 16): No small game permit required for residents, but youth aged 12–15 need Hunter Education or an Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption Certificate ($5, valid for two years).
    • Exemptions: Resident farmers, ranchers, and their immediate family living on the land they own or lease are exempt from needing a small game license or habitat stamp for certain species (e.g., jackrabbit, squirrel, cottontail, prairie grouse [special permit required east of US 81], partridge, pheasant, quail).
  • Nonresidents:
    • Small Game Hunt Permit: Required for all nonresident hunters. Cost: Approximately $97 (2024 data; confirm for 2025).
    • Habitat Stamp: Required, $25 (2024 data; confirm for 2025).
  • Hunter Education:
    • Required for hunters aged 12–29 using firearms or airguns. Cost: Varies by course provider (often $10–$20 for in-person or online courses). An Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption Certificate ($5) is available for two consecutive years for those who haven’t completed hunter education, but they must be accompanied by a licensed hunter aged 19 or older.
  • Purchase Options: Licenses and stamps can be purchased through the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s online system (GoOutdoorsNE.com), at Game and Parks offices, or via authorized vendors. Mobile permits are available for some species.

Daily Bag and Possession Limits

  • Pheasant:
    • Daily Bag Limit: 3 (roosters only)
    • Possession Limit: 12
  • Quail:
    • Daily Bag Limit: 6
    • Possession Limit: 24
  • Partridge:
    • Daily Bag Limit: 3
    • Possession Limit: 12
  • Prairie Grouse (Prairie Chicken and Sharp-tailed Grouse):
    • Daily Bag Limit: 3 (combined for both species)
    • Possession Limit: 12 (combined)

Additional Notes

  • Regulations:
    • Hunters must leave the head or one leg attached to pheasant or grouse for species identification.
    • Blaze orange (400 square inches on head, chest, and back) is strongly recommended during big game rifle seasons, though not required for upland hunters.
    • It is illegal to hunt from vehicles, use live decoys, bait, or electronically amplified bird calls, or carry a loaded shotgun in a vehicle.
    • Dog training allows taking up to 2 hen pheasants and 5 quail (partridge and mallards unlimited) with pen-raised birds, subject to specific rules.
  • Public Access: Nebraska offers over 1.2 million acres of public hunting lands and additional private lands through the Open Fields and Waters program.
  • Youth Opportunities: Youth-only seasons and mentored hunt programs (e.g., Pheasants Forever’s Next Steps Hunt Program) are available.
  • Game Bird Releases: Approximately 16,500 pen-reared pheasants are released on 19 public areas before the regular season and Thanksgiving.

Note: Costs and regulations are based on 2024 data where 2025 specifics were unavailable. Confirm with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (GoOutdoorsNE.com) for the most current information before hunting, as prices and rules may change.