Vets, active duty get bonus hunt weekend added to waterfowl season

Nebraska’s veterans and activity-duty military will have two additional days to hunt waterfowl starting with the 2024-25 hunting season.

The special season is open to qualifying residents and nonresidents and runs in conjunction with the youth waterfowl hunting days. The special season dates:

Zone 1: Oct. 5-6

Zone 2: Sept. 28-29

Zone 3: Oct. 19-20

Zone 4: Oct. 19-20

Participating hunters must have secured veteran status, reflected in their customer profile within the Nebraska Game and Parks permit system, or have one of the following with them during the hunt:

• a state-issued driver’s license noting veteran status;

• a Department of Defense-issued ID, such as an Active Duty or Retired Active Military identification card;

• other military government-issued ID cards indicating military service, such as a Veterans Affairs ID or Veteran Benefit Card; or

• a copy of DD214 or DD215 discharge paperwork; only honorable discharges qualify.

Those who have secured veteran status within the permit system will see “Approved Veteran Status” on the first line of their printed hunting (small game) permit.

The daily bag and possession limits and the shooting hours are the same as during Nebraska’s regular season for ducks, mergansers, coots and geese. Find details at OutdoorNebraska.gov/hunt/hunting-seasons.

All participating hunters must possess a Nebraska hunt (small game) permit, a Harvest Information Program number, a Federal Duck Stamp, and Nebraska Waterfowl and Habitat stamps, unless otherwise exempt. Learn more or buy them online at OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Veterans or active military will not be required to have a vehicle park entry permit for Nebraska state park properties during this special season.