In Nebraska, hunters eagerly await the spring and fall turkey seasons; the 2024 season is no exception. Hunting enthusiasts should be aware of the adjustments made to deal with a recent population reduction in Nebraska as they prepare for the next pursuing season. The creation of baited zones is not permitted on territories the state owns or controls, and all turkey harvests must now be reported through Telecheck. To prepare hunters for a productive and lawful hunt, we will go into depth on this page, including season dates, rules, and commonly asked questions.
Nebraska Turkey Season 2024
In 2023, Nebraska will alter its wild turkey shooting season in response to a population drop over the previous ten years. Instead of three licenses, hunters may now purchase up to two, and they must record all harvests. Ten thousand non-resident visas are available. On state-owned or government-controlled property, it is prohibited to establish a baited area. Hunting should be done safely, and success may be increased by scouting ahead of the season’s start. The juvenile turkey season begins on April 22 and 23 and extends from April 26 to May 14. These modifications are intended to encourage sustainable populations and ethical methods.
Spring
| Archery | 25-Mar – 31-May |
| Youth Shotgun | 6-Apr – 31-May |
| Shotgun | 13-Apr – 31-May |
Fall
| Youth Archery/Shotgun | 1-Oct – 30-Nov |
| Archery/Shotgun | 1-Oct – 30-Nov |
Youth
Youth Spring Hunt
| Youth Shotgun | 6-Apr – 31-May |
Youth Fall Hunt
| Archery/Shotgun | 1-Oct – 30-Nov |
Bag Limits
| Nebraska Turkey Season | Bag Limit |
|---|---|
| Spring | One male or bearded female turkey per permit |
| Fall | Two turkeys of either sex per permit |
Tagging & Transportation
The hunter must punch or notch the permit tag with the date the bird was captured to cancel it. The turkey or permit holder must always carry it. The permission must be affixed to the bird if the permit holder is absent. After harvesting, mobile permit holders may terminate the permit. If a turkey is left unattended, the hunter’s name, permission number, and permit revocation date must be preserved with the corpse.
Unless received as a gift with the giver and recipient’s details, only the permit holder may possess any bird or part of it during the spring and fall seasons. Turkey’s legs, thighs, and breasts must be kept together until eaten or moved. Remove the breast flesh in two halves. The bird must have legs with spurs, a beard naturally connected to the breast, or a detachable beard with at least a quarter-inch of skin at the attachment location to prove sex.
Hunting Regulations
- The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission revised baiting rules. Hunting large game or turkeys within 200 yards of baited areas is forbidden. Ten days following bait removal, an area is baited. Any place with natural or manufactured food items or byproducts that may attract large game is a baited area. Scents alone, farming and ranching, and animal food crops are not baiting.
- Hunters using bows or muzzleloaders may carry a pistol with a 5-inch barrel. Using a pistol to kill animals is illegal except to save a life.
- Hunters must use shotguns with 2 or smaller shots during shotgun season. Archery hunters must employ a long bow, recurve bow, compound bow, crossbow, or hand-thrown spear. Archery season arrows and spears must have a sharpened hunting head with a blade of at least a 7/16-inch radius or a blunt (bludgeon) head of at least 9/16-inch.
- Unless otherwise approved, hunting seasons are valid across the state. Thus, hunters should carefully examine local laws to avoid infractions.
- Hunters need a shotgun or archery bow permit to shoot turkeys with a shotgun during spring season. One landowner permit and three spring permits are allowed per individual. The permit holder must sign non-transferable permits. The permittee may sign two statewide fall permits. Permits cannot be shared or lent.
- Turkey hunting is allowed from 30 minutes before dawn until sundown. However, taking it in trees before daybreak is illegal.
- Hunting with slugs in shotguns, electronic calls, visible laser or light-projecting sights, or live decoys is illegal. Hunters must follow all laws to prevent these offences.
Note: For complete regulations, you review the Outdoor Nebraska website
FAQ
When does the spring turkey season begin in Nebraska?
Beginning on March 25, 2024, Nebraska will have spring season. Archery and shotgun hunting for spring turkeys are also options. Spring shotgun season starts on April 15 and concludes on May 31, 2024, while spring archery season lasts from March 25 to May 31, 2024. Additionally, with various start dates, particular youth game opportunities are available for both shotgun and archery game. Pursuing with youth bows and arrows starts on March 25 and finishes on May 31, 2024. On the other side, youth shotgun begins on April 8, 2024, and finishes on May 31, 2024.
When does the fall turkey season begin in Nebraska?
On October 1, 2024, Nebraska opens its annual turkey season. Fall youth hunting opportunities are provided using shotguns and archery. Youth shotgun hunt and fall youth archery start on October 1 and conclude on November 30. Similarly, adults may hunt fall turkey with either a shotgun or archery. Adult fall archery and shotgun seasons start on October 1 and finish on November 30 of the same year.
How many turkeys can a hunter harvest per day during the spring season?
During the spring season, a hunter can only harvest one turkey every calendar day.
Are there any restrictions on hunting near baited areas?
Yes, hunting within 200 yards of a baited area is illegal. To be lawful, the hunter and the animal must be outside a baited area.
Do hunters need to report their turkey harvests?
Yes, beginning with the spring harvest, Telecheck must be used to record all harvests.
