Hunting in Nebraska: Regulations for Hunting With Dogs

Man’s best friend rarely passes up a chance to take a nap next to a fireplace or heater at any time of day. But deep down in dogs’ DNA, they are hunters, and many outdoorsmen hunting in Nebraska take dogs with them when they are tracking game in the state’s open spaces.

It’s not a free-for-all when it comes to hunting with dogs in Nebraska. There are numerous regulations for hunting with dogs in the Cornhusker State. Here are a few from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission:

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1. Regulations Vary
Not all areas of Nebraska are under the jurisdiction of state authorities, and therefore there are different regulations. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the use of dogs to retrieve downed game is encouraged, but hunters may not exercise, run, train or hunt with dogs between May 1 and July 31. These rules apply in the Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District along the Platte River and other wildlife management areas, except on areas designated and specifically posted with "Authorized Dog Training Area" signs.

2. Game Limits
The “2014 Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Hunting Guide” said each dog in a hunting session can bring in no more two hen pheasants and five quail. Partridge and mallards have no limits, though. Regulations may change yearly.

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3. Use of Birds in Training
Hunters who want to train their sporting dogs using pen-raised birds must have a valid Sporting Dog Trial authorization, according to the NGPC. Also, the birds can be held for no more than 14 days from the day of purchase, and a sales tag or receipt must be returned to the Game and Parks Commission within 30 days.

4. Areas for Training
All Wildlife Management Areas in the state are closed to dog training in the months of May, June, and July, with five exceptions: Yankee Hill WMA and Wagon Train Lake SRA dog training areas in Lancaster County, Rakes Creek WMA in Cass County, Red Willow Reservoir WMA in Frontier County and Sherman Reservoir in Sherman County.

5. Private Lands
Hunting with dogs on private lands is allowed as long as the landowner supplies permission and dog training rules are followed.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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