Nebraska

Sub-species: Eastern, Rio Grande, Merriam’s

Tags: Over the counter but nonresident spring turkey permits limited to 10,000

Application Period:  **application not required but nonresident permits are limited to 10,000.  Permits go on sale Jan 13 at 1pm CST.  Hunters may purchase up to 2 spring permits.

Electronic of Print at Home Fulfillment: YES

Hunter Education Required: Yes for any hunter age 12 through 29

Bag Limit: One bearded bird per permit, up to 2 per season.  Only one per day.  

2026 Spring  Season Dates:

Archery – March 25 – May31

Shotgun – April 18 – May 31 

2026 Fall Season Dates: Oct 1 – Nov 30

Special Youth Hunt: April 11-May 31

Special Disabled Hunt: No

Decoys Allowed: Yes

Tagging Instructions: Hunters must punch or notch their tags (or cancel mobile      tags) immediately after harvest, showing the date of kill.  If a mobile tag is      used, the hunter should create a paper tag showing name, permit number, and time / date of kill to be left with an unattended carcass. All turkey harvests must be reported via Telecheck. Turkeys must be checked in by internet at Outdoornebraska.gov/telecheck or by phone (844-279-4564) within 48 hours
of time of kill and no later than 1 p.m. the day after the season closes and before the carcass leaves the state of Nebraska.

Noteworthy Restrictions: Hunting hours end at official sunset.  Shotguns with #2 shot and smaller are legal.  The following are unlawful acts: hunting private land without permission, hunting turkeys within 100 yards of an occupied dwelling or feedlot without specific permission, shooting from the right of way of a public road, and having a loaded shotgun in a vehicle while on a public road.  To be legal, both the hunter and turkey must be over 200 yards from a  baited area.  Total nonresident spring permits limited to 10,000.

Nebraska Game and Parks

 402-471-0641

Purchase License Online   

Licenses Needed to Hunt Turkeys