Hunting in the Nebraska Sandhills

This area is on the bucket list of many hunters all across the country.

Amazing Hunting Land Nearby

Over 70,000 Acres of Public Land in the Nebraska Sandhills are only 3 miles Away.

You can purchase your hunting & fishing permits online at Nebraska Game & Parks before your visit.

Wild Turkey

Some of the best wild turkey hunting opportunities are offered here in Nebraska. View season details and purchase a permit from Nebraska Game and Parks.

  • Spring archery: March 25 – May 31

  • Spring youth shotgun: April 5 – May 31

  • Spring shotgun: April 12 – May 31

  • Fall youth archery and shotgun: Oct. 1 - Nov. 30

  • Fall archery and shotgun: Oct. 1 - Nov. 30

Wild turkey fanning feathers in a grass field

Deer

Nebraska has no lotteries for deer season, and you can buy many different permits over the counter. There is easy access to over 70,000 acres of public land right by your cabin, and you can comb through the sandhills and find trophy-quality deer. View season details and purchase a permit from Nebraska Game and Parks.

  • Archery: Sept. 1 – Dec. 31

  • Special Landowner: Nov. 8 – Nov. 10

  • November firearm*: Nov. 15 – Nov. 23

  • Muzzleloader: Dec. 1 – Dec. 31

  • October River Antlerless Firearm: Oct. 1 – Oct. 15

  • River Antlerless Late Firearm: Jan. 1 – Jan. 31

  • Antlerless Only Season Choice: Sept. 1, 2024-Jan. 15

  • Limited Landowner: Sept. 1, 2024-Jan. 15

  • Late Antlerless Only Firearm: Jan. 1 – Jan. 15

A white tail buck on the prairie

Upland Game Birds

Exploring the sandhills with your trusty bird dog is an exciting experience in the fall. View season details and purchase a permit from Nebraska Game and Parks.

  • Pheasant, quail, and partridge
    Oct. 26 – Jan. 31

  • Prairie Grouse
    Sept. 1 – Jan. 31

    Youth pheasant, quail, and partridge
    Oct. 18 – 19

A sharp-tailed grouse in a grass field

Waterfowl

    • North Central unit: Oct. 5 – Jan. 17

    • Platte River unit: Oct. 28 – Feb. 9

    • Niobrara unit: Oct. 28 – Feb. 9

    • Daily bag limit: 5; possession limit: 15

    • Statewide: Oct. 12 – Dec. 22; Jan. 25 – Feb. 9

    • Daily bag limit: 2; possession limit: 6

    • Statewide: Oct. 12–Jan. 8; Jan. 25–Feb. 9

    • Daily bag limit: 50; possession limit: none

    • Low plains: Sept. 1–16

    • High plains: Sept. 1–9

    • Daily bag limit: 6; possession limit: 18

    • Zone 1: Oct. 12–Dec. 24

    • Zone 2: Oct. 5-Dec. 17 (Low Plains); Oct. 5-Dec. 17 and Jan. 8-29 (High Plains)

    • Zone 3: (High Plains) Oct. 26–Jan. 7, and Jan. 8–29

    • Zone 4: Oct. 26–Jan. 7

    • Daily bag

      • Tier 1: six ducks, with restrictions

      • Tier II: three ducks, any species, any sex;

      • Possession limit: Three times the daily bag limit

    • Zone 1: Oct. 5–6

    • Zone 2: Sept. 28–29

    • Zone 3: Oct. 19-20

    • Zone 4: Oct. 19-20

    • Daily bag

      • Tier 1: six ducks, with restrictions;

      • Tier II: three ducks, any species, any sex;

      • Possession limit: Three times the daily bag limit

    • Zone 1: Oct. 5-6

    • Zone 2: Sept. 28-29

    • Zone 3: Oct. 19-20

    • Zone 4: Oct 19-20

    • Daily Bag – Tier 1: six ducks, with restrictions; Tier II: three ducks, any species, any sex; possession limit – three times the daily bag limit

    • Concurrent with teal, youth and regular duck season dates, plus:

    • Zone 1: Feb. 25 – March 10

    • Zone 2:

      • Low Plains: Feb. 25 – March 10

      • High Plains: Concurrent with all duck season dates in High Plains Zone

    • Zone 3:

      • High Plains: Concurrent with all duck season dates in High Plains Zone

    • Zone 4: Feb. 25 – March 10

A person in camouflage clothing standing in shallow water with a fishing pole, surrounded by ducks, during daytime with a cloudy sky.

Valentine National Wildlife Refuge Hunting Area Map

The refuge is open for hunting from September 1 to March 31.

  • Such a great little piece of quiet paradise and the duck hunting is great

    Andrew Taylor

  • Thank you so much for providing us with a clean and quiet place to stay while hunting in the area. It was so nice to have a comfortable place that felt like home after a long day in the field.

    Aaron & Kara Phillips