Information about Nebraska's draw system for big game hunts to help you prepare to apply
Nebraska is home to five big game species: mule deer, whitetail deer, elk, antelope andRocky Mountain bighorn sheep with additional opportunities for turkey. Residents have opportunities to buy or apply for tags for each of these species; however, nonresidents are restricted to deer, antelope and turkey. Mule deer and whitetail deer will be the primary target species for most nonresidents, and both over-the-counter (OTC) and draw opportunities are available. The state is largely composed of private lands, but hunters who are willing to research can still find some excellent public hunting opportunities.
Be sure to check out our Application Strategy articles to learn in-depth research and application tips when it comes time to apply in Nebraska.
In Nebraska, the application process for hunting permits involves bonus, preference and random draws, varying based on the species sought. Hunters can opt to apply solely for points during the application, but each unsuccessful draw also earns a point, where applicable.
Points are applied to first choice applications and successfully drawing a tag will remove the accrued points from your account.
Nonresidents tag allocations vary depending on the tag types on Nebraska. For deer, a set number of nonresident tags are available that can then be purchased through several tag types. Once the quota is met, nonresident licenses will no longer be sold. In most draw instances for both deer and antelope, nonresidents are given their own drawing pool and will not be competing against residents in the draw.
In Nebraska, hunters can apply as "buddies" for permit draws where their applications are pooled together as one entry in the draw. The group's preference or bonus point level will be determined by the lowest point level among the buddies. For instance, if a group of two applies and applicant A has one point while applicant B has four points, the group enters the draw with one point. Buddy applications are capped at six applicants, and all members must share the same residency status.
Learn more information about hunting applications, draw systems, hunt regulations, tag allocations, and more in our State Profile sections:
Deer: Deer permits are drawn using a true preference point system where tags are distributed to those with the highest point values. There are draw options for both resident and nonresident applicants.
Elk: Elk tags are available to residents and resident and nonresident landowners only. Bull permits are drawn using a bonus point system where the higher number of points you holder gives you a statistically better chance of drawing. Antlerless elk permits are drawn through a random lottery that does not use points.
Antelope: Antelope permits are drawn using a true preference point system where tags are distributed to those with the highest point values. There are draw options for both resident and nonresident applicants.
Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep: Bighorn sheep tags are only available to residents through the public lottery. All tags are drawn at random without the use of points.
