General Hunting Information

Nontoxic Shot

It is unlawful to use or possess shotgun shells loaded with or containing shot other than nontoxic shot while hunting, taking or attempting to take waterfowl. Nontoxic shot is required for all shotgun hunting on federal Waterfowl Production Areas, National Wildlife Refuges and some state Wildlife Management Areas, as posted.

For information on current legal shot and shooting nontoxic shot, write to the Wildlife Division, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, P.O. Box 30370, Lincoln NE 68503, or call (402) 471-0641.
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Legal Methods of Taking

• SHOTGUN: Only 10 gauge or smaller may be used for game birds. For waterfowl and other migratory game birds, including mourning doves, shotguns must be plugged to limit shell capacity to no more than three shells in the chamber and magazine combined. No plug is required for upland game birds. No plug or gauge restriction exists for cottontail rabbits and squirrels.

• RIFLE or PISTOL: Illegal for all game birds.

• BOW AND ARROW: Legal for rabbits, squirrels, and upland game birds. Legal for turkey, deer, elk, antelope and bighorn sheep with a special permit.

• CROSSBOW: Legal for all game species, except prohibited for waterfowl and other migratory game birds. Special authority required to hunt deer, antelope or turkey.

• TRAPPING: Legal for furbearers, cottontail, jackrabbit and squirrel during open season. Legal for unprotected species.
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