The following regulations are prescribed by the Game and Parks Commission, State of Nebraska in accordance with Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 37-301, 37-303 through 37-310, 37-312 through 37-314, 37-317, 37-330, 37-336, 37-447, 37-701, 37-703 through 37-709, 60-677, 60-678, 60-680. For purposes of these regulations, unless context otherwise requires, the definitions found in Chapter 37, sections 202 through 247 of the Game Law, are used.
Legal descriptions of areas referenced in this section are provided in Appendix A, unless otherwise noted.
019.01 Lake Babcock Waterfowl Refuge 019.01A Lake Babcock, Lake North and adjoining lands in Platte County, Nebraska, are hereby designated and established as a refuge, within, on and over the specific area posted or to be posted.019.01B All hunting is hereby prohibited within such posted area.019.01C The operation of all vessels is hereby prohibited upon the waters of the refuge during the open waterfowl season, except that portion of the refuge known as Lake North where vessels may be operated at any time during the year for the purpose of pleasure or fishing.019.01D Representatives of the Loup River Public Power District may operate a vessel in any of the posted waters at any time for essential maintenance or operation of the reservoir.019.01E The Platte Valley Bowmen Archery Club is hereby granted permission to establish and operate a field archery range in the N 1/2, NW 1/4 of Section 36, T18N, R1W, Platte County, Nebraska.019.01F Fish may be taken by any otherwise legal means during the entire year in Lake North, but shall be prohibited in Lake Babcock during an open waterfowl season.019.02 Bufflehead Wildlife Management Area 019.02A Public Hunting Regulations: It shall be unlawful to carry, possess or discharge firearms, or by any manner to take or disturb any wild birds or wild mammals at any time within the posted boundaries of the Bufflehead Wildlife Management Area in Buffalo County.019.03 Burchard Lake Wildlife Management Area019.03A It shall be unlawful to carry or possess firearms, or by any manner to take, injure, molest or disturb any wild birds or wild mammals at any time within the posted boundaries of the Burchard Lake Wildlife Management Area in Pawnee County.019.03B The posted sanctuary portion of the Burchard Lake Wildlife Management Area shall be closed to boating and all other activities from October 15 through January 14, except that fishing from the bank along the entire perimeter of the lake, including ice fishing on the lake surface, is permitted throughout the year.019.03C Camping and the use of trailers or other camping units is permitted only at designated locations.019.04 Chat Canyon Wildlife Management Area019.04A Area Regulations: All Chapter 4, Section 018, General Regulations Governing Administration and Use of Property - Wildlife Management Area regulations shall apply except as noted in 019.04A1.019.04A1 All hunting is restricted to special hunts officially sanctioned by the Commission and elk hunting by those holding valid permits. An access permission form, provided by the Commission, shall be required for all officially sanctioned hunts. These permission forms must be signed and accompany person utilizing this area and shall restrict hunting access to the dates, times, species and specific locations on this area.019.05 Clear Creek Wildlife Management Area 019.05A Establishment of the Clear Creek Wildlife Management Area: The Clear Creek Wildlife Management Area is defined as all of that land owned by the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District, and leased by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, located in portions of Sec. 36, T16N, R42W; Sec. 31, T16N, R41W; Sec. 1, T15N, R42W, Sec. 6 and 7, T15N, R41W; all in Garden County, and Sec. 32 and 33, T16N, R41W; Sec. 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14, T15N, R41W; all in Keith County, all located on the upper portion of Lake McConaughy and the North Platte River as posted.019.05B Clear Creek Refuge: 019.05B1 That portion of the Clear Creek Wildlife Management Area so posted as a seasonal refuge and contained in Garden County and portions of Section 32, T16N, R41W; Sec. 5, 8, T15N, R41W in Keith County shall have the following special regulations:019.05B2 From the Monday before Thanksgiving through February 15 of the following year, no unauthorized entry is allowed within the boundaries of the Clear Creek Refuge except for foot traffic by persons without weapons retrieving game.019.05B3 From the Monday before Thanksgiving through February 15 of the following year, it shall be unlawful to take, molest, or disturb any wild birds or wild mammals within the boundaries of the seasonal refuge. During the remainder of the year, the Wildlife Management Area Regulations as contained in Chapter 4, Section 018 shall apply, provided that the portion of the Clear Creek Refuge contained within the Garden County State Game Refuge, described in 37-706, shall be open to hunting deer during all established deer seasons from September 1 through the Sunday before Thanksgiving.019.05B4 It shall be unlawful to construct seasonal blinds for waterfowl hunting. Portable waterfowl hunting blinds may be used on this area and shall be removed at the end of the hunting day.019.05B5 Portable tree stands shall not be installed, utilized or left in place from the Monday before Thanksgiving through August 15. In addition, portable tree steps that attach to the tree with chains or ropes, or that screw into the tree are permitted on this area.019.05C That portion of the Clear Creek Wildlife Management Area not designated as refuge shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 4, Section 018 and have the following special regulation:019.05C1 Seasonal blinds for waterfowl hunting may be constructed or placed on lands or waters described above. Above structures must be removed by May 1 and the site restored to its original condition.019.06 Cornhusker Farm Wildlife Management Area and Loup Public Power District Lands 019.06A It shall be unlawful to take game using centerfire, rimfire, or muzzleloading rifles or handguns, or to discharge those weapons for any other purpose, within the posted boundaries of the Cornhusker Farm Wildlife Management Area in Hall County, and the Loup Public Power District Lands in Nance and Platte counties.019.07 Enders Reservoir Wildlife Management Area and State Waterfowl Refuge019.07A The Enders Reservoir Wildlife Management Area in Chase County, contains land and water designated as a waterfowl refuge as posted. All Chapter 4, Section 018, General Wildlife Management Area Regulations apply to this Wildlife Management Area provided specific public use restrictions apply to the State Waterfowl Refuge as outlined below.019.07B Enders Reservoir State Waterfowl Refuge: It shall be unlawful: 019.07B1 to take or disturb any waterfowl within the posted boundaries of the Enders Reservoir State Waterfowl Refuge. Hunting and trapping of other species (except waterfowl) is allowed in accordance with regular hunting season dates and regulations as specified in federal and state law. Additional restrictions apply to those areas designated as Cow Beach Recreation Access at Enders State Recreation Area (see Chapter 5, State Park Regulations, Section 008).019.07B2 to boat, or operate a motorized vehicle within the posted boundaries of the Enders Reservoir State Waterfowl Refuge, beginning October 1 through the last day of February of each year. During the period of March 1 through September 30 of each year, vehicle traffic is allowed on roads and trails designated as open in accordance with regulations 018.07 (Chapter 4). Nothing in this section shall prohibit Commission personnel from entering the area for management, law enforcement or emergency purposes.019.07B3 to allow dogs to run within the posted boundaries of the Enders Reservoir State Waterfowl Refuge except when used for lawful hunting or while on a leash under the control of a handler.019.08 Flathead Wildlife Management Area 019.08A It shall be unlawful to take game using centerfire or rimfire rifles or handguns, or to discharge those weapons for any other purpose, within the posted boundaries of the Flathead Wildlife Management Area in Jefferson County.019.09 Gifford Point Wildlife Management Area 019.09A General Regulations 019.09A1 Except as provided in 019.09B, all general regulations governing administration and use of property in accordance with Chapter 4, Wildlife Regulations, Section 018, will be in effect on this area.019.09A2 From August 15 to the end of all valid deer seasons, the area is closed to all activities except deer hunting conducted by persons holding authorizations for the special deer hunt (019.09B).019.09A3 No motorized vehicles are allowed on this area, except persons holding proof of special hunt authorizations may use motorized vehicles which are restricted to rocked or graveled roadways or parking lots as provided in 019.09A4.019.09A4 Motorized vehicles may not be operated on other than rocked or graveled roadways or parking lots.019.09B Hunting and Target Shooting019.09B1 Deer hunting, during all valid deer seasons, will be conducted as a special hunt in accordance with general special hunt regulations (018.13). 019.09B1a Participation in special hunts shall be limited to 200 participants in total for all segments of the current deer hunting seasons. No access is allowed from August 15 through the end of all valid deer seasons except persons holding proof of special hunt authorization may access the area. Special hunt authorization is non-transferable.019.09B1b Eligibility: Persons who have been issued a current statewide archery, statewide muzzleloader, statewide youth or applicable Season Choice Area deer permit are eligible to request authorization for participation in this special hunt.019.09B1c Applications for special hunt participation will be accepted in the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Lincoln and Omaha offices during the period beginning August 1 through August 115.019.09B1c(1) Persons requesting authorization shall provide the following information: name, mailing address, email address, date of birth, type of deer permit possessed and associated permit number.019.09B1d Should requests exceed 200, a drawing will be held in the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission Lincoln office on the third weekday after August 15 at 3:00 p.m. 019.09B1d(1) In the absence of the necessity for a drawing, requests will be processed for participation on a first come, first served basis (018.13D).019.09B1e Buddy Requests: Two hunters who wish to ensure that both or neither will draw a Special Hunt Authorization may apply as buddies. Both requests must be submitted on the same application.019.09B1f Hunters drawn for the special hunt will be sent proof of hunt authorization to allow access as provided for in 019.09B1a.019.09B2 Turkey hunting is allowed during the Spring season in accord with statewide regulations. Turkey hunting is prohibited during all other seasons.019.09B3 The use or possession of centerfire or rimfire rifles or handguns is prohibited.019.09B4 Target shooting is prohibited.019.10 Kea Lake Wildlife Management Area 019.10A Public Hunting Regulations. It shall be unlawful to carry or possess firearms, or by any manner to take or disturb any wild birds or wild mammals at any time within the posted boundaries of the Kea Lake Wildlife Management Area in Buffalo County.019.11 Kiowa Wildlife Management Area 019.11A That portion of the Kiowa Wildlife Management Area in Scotts Bluff County that is located in Section 33 and north of the Mitchell and Gering Canal shall be closed to all activities and all access from October 1 until the close of the Dark Goose Hunting Season each year.019.12 Oak Glen Wildlife Management Area019.12A It shall be unlawful to use rifles or handguns, except for .22 rimfire rifles, to take game, or to discharge rifles or handguns for any other purpose, within the boundaries of the Oak Glen Wildlife Management Area in Seward County, providing that it shall not be unlawful to take game by either a muzzleloading rifle or a shotgun using a single ball or slug, or shot.019.13 Platte Valley Wildlife Management Areas019.13A Overnight camping on Bassway Strip, Big Springs, Bittersweet, Blue Heron, Blue Hole, Brady, Chester Island, Coot Shallows, Cornhusker Farm, Cozad, Darr, Darr Strip, Deep Well, Dogwood, East Cozad, East Darr, East Gothenburg, East Hershey, East Odessa, East Sutherland, East Willow Island, Hershey, Jeffrey Lake, Loch Linda, Martin's Reach, Muskrat Run, North River, Ogallala Strip, Overton, Pawnee Slough, Platte, Pintail West Brady, West Cozad, West Gothenburg, West Hershey, West Maxwell, Willow Island, and Wood River West Wildlife Management Areas is restricted to three consecutive nights in a six day time period at any one Wildlife Management Area.019.13B Overnight camping on Birdwood Lake, Bufflehead, Fremont Slough, Kea Lake, and Kea West Wildlife Management Areas is prohibited.019.14 Randall W. Schilling Wildlife Management Area The Randall W. Schilling Wildlife Management Area is hereby defined as all that tract of land owned by the State of Nebraska, Game and Parks Commission, located in Cass County, together with and including any and all accretion land along the Missouri and Platte River frontages of the deeded land. Accretion acreage is specifically included within the boundary of the area referred to in these regulations, and the water line of the Platte and Missouri rivers at and on land accreting to the deeded acreage shall be the boundary of the Randall W. Schilling Wildlife Management Area as referred to in these regulations. The Schilling Wildlife Management Area consists of two subdivisions, the Controlled Hunting Area and the Public Hunting Area, as posted.
All Chapter 4, Section 018, General Wildlife Management Area regulations shall apply except those specifically listed under 019.14A and 019.14B.
019.14A Controlled Hunting Area Regulations:019.14A1 Overnight camping shall not be allowed.019.14A2 No motorized vehicles will be allowed on the Area between October 16 and April 1 unless approved by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission personnel.019.14A3 Only shotguns using shot, bow and arrow, and crossbows shall be allowed.019.14A4 Archery deer hunting is allowed on the Area unless posted.019.14A5 The Area Manager shall have the authority to limit the number of hunters upon the Area.019.14A6 Nothing in 019.14A shall prevent the Commission from conducting a special hunt as authorized by 018.13.019.14B Public Hunting Area Regulations: 019.14B1 Only shotguns using shot, bow and arrow and crossbows shall be allowed.019.15 Rock Glen Wildlife Management Area 019.15A All Chapter 4, Section 018, General Wildlife Management Area Regulations apply to Rock Glen Wildlife Management Area in Jefferson County with the exception(s) listed below: 019.15A1 Horses and horseback riding are prohibited on Rock Glen Wildlife Management Area, provided horseback riding may occur on trails designated for this use and only during the riding season beginning May 10 and running through October 22; during that portion of the riding season coinciding with turkey or deer season open on-site, riding is prohibited except for a period starting at 9:30 a.m. and ending at 3:30 p.m.019.15A2 Horseback riding trails will be designated with a sign located on either edge of the trail; all horses must be within the corridor defined by signs. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission area managers may, at any time during the riding season, limit or suspend the use of trails for the purpose of land or wildlife management activities, or in the event that natural or unnatural events degrade the trail beyond acceptable limits. Groups of more than five (5) riders must obtain a special use permit as described at 018.12.019.16 Sacramento-Wilcox Wildlife Management Area All public use activities on the Sacramento-Wilcox Wildlife Management Area in Phelps County are subject to provisions of appropriate State or Federal Statutes and Regulations. The area is open to public hunting of all game species except on those areas that are posted with signs, and with the following provisions and exclusions.
019.16A Waterfowl Hunting Regulations 019.16A1 Duck and goose hunting on the area is limited to existing blinds and to such jump or pass shooting available when stationed at least 200 yards from any other party.019.16A2 No more than four persons (including non-hunters), may occupy a blind or pit at any time, and construction or use of blinds other than those provided by the Commission is prohibited.019.16B Refuge Regulations It is unlawful to trespass on the refuge portion of the area from the beginning of the early teal hunting season (Commission Order C06. 01F) through the end of the spring turkey shotgun season (C 02.01C) except to retrieve lawfully taken game birds, or to participate in hunting activities allowed during hunting seasons restricted to youth (C 05.01F1, C 05.01G1, C 05.01H1, C 02.01B, Commission Order C 06.01E).
019.16C Other Public Use Regulations 019.16C1 Hunting is prohibited within those areas designated and posted as closed to hunting.019.16C2 Fishing is permitted unless posted against that activity.019.16C3 Camping on the area is restricted to the designated camping area.019.16C4 Fires are permitted only in fireplaces, grills, or fire rings where provided by the Commission, or in privately owned devices, such as gasoline or propane stoves, charcoal grills, or similar devices.019.16C5 Dogs are permitted on the area, but must be accompanied by the handler, and under control at all times.019.16C6 Motor vehicles are restricted to graveled or paved roads only.019.17 Salt Valley Reservoirs019.17A For the purpose of these regulations, the Salt Valley Reservoir Areas include: Bluestem State Recreation Area (SRA), and Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Branched Oak SRA/WMA, Conestoga SRA/WMA, Hedgefield WMA, Killdeer WMA, Olive Creek SRA/WMA, Pawnee Lake SRA/WMA, Stagecoach SRA/WMA, Teal WMA, Wagon Train SRA/WMA, and Yankee Hill WMA in Lancaster County, and Twin Lakes WMA in Seward County.019.17B Waterfowl hunting is hereby prohibited on and over the following Salt Valley area as designated and posted: Conestoga Lake.019.17C It shall be unlawful to take, molest, or disturb or attempt to take, molest, or disturb or have in possession any migratory waterfowl within areas posted with No Waterfowl Hunting signs.019.17D Twin Lakes shall be closed to all access and public use from October 15 through December 31; provided archery deer hunting shall be allowed during established seasons as provided in (Commission Order C 03.06).019.17E It shall be unlawful to discharge any firearms at all times on intensively used areas such as boat launching ramps, picnic, parking and camping areas which are posted with appropriate signs.019.17F It shall be unlawful to take game using centerfire or rimfire rifles or handguns, or to discharge those weapons for any other purpose, within the posted boundaries of Pawnee Lake. Target shooting with other weapons is also prohibited on the designated and posted portion of the area.019.17G Firearms may be discharged on specified dog trial and dog training areas, or shooting ranges when designated by signs.019.17H Hunting is prohibited on designated dog trial and dog training areas on the Salt Valley areas while hunting dog trials are in progress.019.17I Overnight camping on Branched Oak, Hedgefield, Killdeer, Teal, Twin Lakes, Wildwood and Yankee Hill WMAs is restricted to three consecutive nights in a six consecutive day time period at any one WMA.019.17J Killdeer WMA regulations - It shall be unlawful to: 019.17J1 target shoot except within the posted boundary of the designated sight-in range.019.17J2 hunt within the posted boundary of the designated sight-in range.019.17J3 Sight-in range regulations - It shall be unlawful to:019.17J3a shoot at this range except from 9:00 am to sunset, unless otherwise posted.019.17J3b shoot unless all shooting is from the bench provided and the firearm muzzle is in the range tube while firing down range.019.17J3c use the range if shooters are 15 years of age or younger without being accompanied by a person age 19 or older.019.17J3d use other than paper targets on this range and targets must be properly positioned only on the provided downrange target backer.019.17J3e use any weapons except centerfire or rimfire firearms .35 caliber or smaller or shotguns 12 gauge or smaller firing a single slug, or muzzleloading rifles or handguns.019.17J3f possess fully automatic firearms to include bump fire or similar weapons; defined as firearms that automatically reload and fire.019.17J3g be under the influence of or consume drugs or alcoholic beverages.019.17J3h use or possess, full metal jacket ammunition, armor piercing bullets, or incendiary ammunition, tracers, or incendiary targets.019.18 Wilkinson Wildlife Management Area 019.18A It shall be unlawful to take game using centerfire, rimfire, or muzzleloading rifles or handguns, or shotguns using a single ball or slug, or to discharge those weapons for any other purpose, within the boundaries of the Wilkinson Wildlife Management Area in Platte County.019.19 Bordeaux Creek Wildlife Management Area 019.19A It shall be unlawful to take game using centerfire rifles or handguns, or to discharge those weapons for any other purpose, along the portion of this area between Bordeaux Road and Pineview Road, (in W 1/2 of Section 24 & NW 1/4 Section 25, T33N, R48W), of Bordeaux Creek Wildlife Management Area in Dawes County.019.20 Cedar Valley Wildlife Management Area- It shall be unlawful to: 019.20A target shoot except within the posted boundary of the designated sight-in range.019.20B hunt within the posted boundary of the designated sight-in range.019.20B1 shoot at this range except from 9:00 am to sunset, unless otherwise posted.019.20B2 shoot unless all shooting is from the bench provided.019.20B3 use the range if shooters are 15 years of age or younger without being accompanied by a person age 19 or older.019.20B4 use other than paper targets on this range and targets must be properly positioned only on the provided downrange target backer in a manner that directs all bullets fired safely into the berm.019.20B5 use any weapons except rimfire, centerfire or muzzleloading handguns and rimfire rifles on the 25 yard handgun range; rimfire or centerfire rifles 45 caliber or smaller, rimfire or centerfire handguns or shotguns 12 gauge or smaller firing a single slug, or muzzleloading rifles or handguns on the 100 yard rifle range.019.20B6 possess fully automatic firearms to include bump fire or similar weapons; defined as firearms that automatically reload and fire.019.20B7 be under the influence of or consume drugs or alcoholic beverages.019.20B8 use full metal jacket ammunition (except for handguns on 25 yard range), armor piercing bullets, incendiary ammunition, tracers, or incendiary targets.163 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 4, § 019
Amended effective 12/14/2016.Amended effective 10/31/2017Amended effective 1/29/2018Amended effective 6/27/2022