Are you ready? Hunting seasons return Sept. 1

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission sent this bulletin at 08/17/2021 09:10 AM CDT

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A sharp tailed grouse

Upland hunting season is on the horizon

It's that time of year: Fall hunting season is almost here! A bunch of seasons open Sept. 1, with plentiful opportunity to make lifelong memories — and take home a delicious meal of wild game.

Get ready for these Sept. 1 season openers:

  • Prairie grouse (Sept. 1, 2021 – Jan. 31, 2022)
  • Mourning, white-winged, and Eurasian collared-doves (in aggregate)
    (Sept. 1, 2021 – Oct. 30, 2021)
  • And others: Cottontail, jackrabbit, Virginia and sora rail, and snipe! Don't forget about squirrel season, which opened Aug. 1.

Looking ahead, you can also mark your calendar for the opening day of pheasant season on Oct. 30. And, as you're planning your hunt, here are some resources you might find helpful:

  • The Small Game & Waterfowl Guide: Find regulations, season dates, bag limits, identification tips and much more.
  • The Public Access Atlas: There are over 1.2 million acres of publicly-accessible lands in Nebraska; this guide will show you where.
  • Hunter Education: It's not too late to take a hunter education course and get up to speed on what it takes to hunt safely. Online-only options are available, as well as in-person classes.

The first step to take, though, is making sure you have your permit — head to our website and get one in hand.

Then, get ready for a great season! The opportunities are out there; take your shot this fall.

Buy Permits
Upland Slam graphic

Is THIS the year you achieve an Upland Slam?

The Upland Slam is back! With the opening of grouse season, now's your chance to get started on this fun hunting challenge.

To complete it, you'll need to harvest four birds in Nebraska: a sharp-tailed grouse, greater prairie-chicken, ring-necked pheasant and northern bobwhite quail.

All finishers will receive an official certificate and Nebraska Upland Slam pin. And if you complete the Slam during the 2021-2022 season, you'll also be registered to win one of several great prizes courtesy of Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever.

It makes for good-hearted competition amongst friends, or a challenge you can test your own hunting skills against. Learn more at our website.

Learn More