Nebraska Mule Deer Hunting
Plan your Nebraska mule deer hunt with season dates, license options, and hunting opportunities organized by unit. Browse available private-land hunts and book access directly from landowners.
Last updated by Aricin Rotarius
Find Hunts by Unit
Browse private-land mule deer hunts across Nebraska, organized by unit, and book directly with landowners.
Unit Frenchman
This expansive unit is located in the southwestern corner of the state and hosts a robust deer population. While public land is somewhat limited, hunting on private property greatly enhances the chances of a successful hunt. Mule deer are present in healthy numbers throughout the area, and Dundy County, situated in the far southwest corner of the unit, has produced several record-book entries in recent years.
View Unit Frenchman details
Unit Sandhills
This unit is located in the north-central part of the state and boasts a robust deer population along with diverse terrain. While the northwestern edge includes some agricultural activity, most of the area consists of undeveloped lands resembling sand hills. Additionally, lakes and ponds are scattered throughout the landscape, creating marshy conditions nearby.
View Unit Sandhills details
Unit Missouri
The Missouri unit includes Knox County and parts of Antelope, Boyd, Cedar, Dakota, Dixon, Holt, and Pierce counties. Nebraska residents and non-residents can purchase a deer tag over the counter.
View Unit Missouri details
Unit Upper Platte
Situated along the borders of Wyoming and Colorado, this unit boasts impressive deer populations and provides excellent hunting opportunities. The majority of the area consists of private agricultural land, which can pose access challenges but also contributes to strong herd health and antler development. It may be beneficial to seek permission to hunt on private property.
View Unit Upper Platte details
Unit Calamus West
This unit is located in the central part of the state and boasts a strong deer population along with diverse terrain. Compared to many other units, public land is more accessible, but hunters should still conduct thorough research to ensure a successful outing. Mule deer are present in good numbers, particularly in the open prairie, but they can also be found near agricultural areas. Gaining access to private land may be the biggest challenge for hunters; however, hunting on these properties greatly enhances the likelihood of success.
View Unit Calamus West details
Unit Buffalo
Located in the south-central part of the state, this unit is divided by the well-known Platte River. It features healthy deer populations, offering hunters excellent opportunities for pursuing bucks. The private lands surrounding the river primarily consist of agricultural fields, while much of the northern half is characterized by natural rolling grasslands. Securing access to private land is highly recommended in this unit.
View Unit Buffalo details
Unit Loup West
This unit is situated in the central part of the state and offers outstanding deer habitat. Public land options are quite limited, with only a few accessible properties available. Hunters who rely solely on public land may find few opportunities here. Private lands provide the best chances for success, featuring various terrain types suitable for hunters of all experience levels and goals. Mule deer are present in healthy numbers, mainly in the western half of the unit, where open prairie and agricultural areas abound.
View Unit Loup West details
Unit Plains
Situated on the western side of the state, adjacent to Wyoming, this large unit has limited public land access. However, hunters who dedicate time to thorough e-scouting and exploration may discover valuable hunting opportunities. The terrain varies from rugged landscapes to more accessible areas, offering a diverse hunting experience that caters to those looking for both challenges and potential successes. Mule deer are present in healthy numbers throughout the unit. Hunters can engage in traditional spot-and-stalk methods on the prairie as well as pursue herds near agricultural fields.
View Unit Plains details
Unit Pine Ridge
Situated in the northwestern corner of the state, adjacent to South Dakota and Wyoming, this large unit is recognized for its extensive public access. It encompasses a variety of habitats that sustain healthy populations of both Whitetail and Mule Deer. The terrain features a mix of landscapes, from open plains to forested areas, making it a popular choice for deer hunters looking for both accessibility and quality hunting experiences. Predominantly characterized by rolling prairie, the area also includes agricultural zones, but much of it remains untouched, offering excellent hunting opportunities.
View Unit Pine Ridge details
Unit Keya Paha
This unit is located in the north-central part of the state, bordering South Dakota. It features healthy deer populations, although much of the area consists of private lands, many of which are undeveloped. Public land access is limited, but careful research into access options can help hunters achieve success. Mule deer are present in smaller numbers, primarily in the open prairie, but they can also be found near various agricultural zones.
View Unit Keya Paha details
Unit Platte
This expansive unit is located on the western side of the state and supports a robust deer population. It is effectively divided by Interstate 80, with rangeland dominating the northern section and agricultural fields in the south. While the majority of the area consists of private land, which can pose access challenges, it also contributes to strong herd health and impressive antler growth.
View Unit Platte details
Nebraska Mule Deer Seasons
These dates represent the “general” season dates. Check the individual hunting unit regulations for the most accurate season dates and regulations.
Archery
–
Youth hunters
Archery
–
October River Antlerless Firearm
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Special Landowner
–
November Firearm
–
November Firearm
–
Youth hunters
Muzzleloader
–
Muzzleloader
–
Youth hunters
Late Firearm
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Late Firearm Antlerless
–
Youth hunters
Late Firearm Antlerless
–
Nebraska Mule Deer Licenses
Resident Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless Only | — | — | $42.00 |
| AO Blue NW | — | — | $42.00 |
Antlerless Only; 2025 Sell-Out Date: Nov. 12 | |||
| AO Blue SE | — | — | $42.00 |
Antlerless Only; 2025 Sell-Out Date: Nov. 4 | |||
| November Firearm | — | — | $42.00 |
| Restricted Statewide Buck | — | — | $143.00 |
| Season Choice | — | — | $42.00 |
| Statewide Archery | — | — | $42.00 |
| Statewide Buck (either species) | — | — | $198.00 |
| Statewide Muzzleloader | — | — | $42.00 |
| Statewide Whitetail Buck | — | — | $100.50 |
| Youth | — | Youth hunters | $8.50 |
| Youth Whitetail | — | Youth hunters | $8.50 |
| Resident Deer Preference Point | — | — | $22.00Includes $7.00 application fee |
Application fee is nonrefundable. | |||
| Limited LO Deer | — | Landowner | $22.50 |
| Special Landowner Deer | — | Landowner | $8.00 |
| Resident Preference Point | Draw | — | $22.00 |
Purchase Point instead of entering draw | |||
| Restricted Statewide Buck | — | — | $100.50 |
| Statewide Archery | OTC | — | $42.00 |
| Statewide Archery | — | — | $42.00 |
| Statewide Buck | — | — | $198.00 |
| Statewide Buck (either species) | — | — | $198.00 |
| Statewide Muzzleloader | — | — | $42.00 |
| Statewide Muzzleloader | OTC | — | $42.00 |
| Unit Buck | — | — | $42.00 |
| Blue Northwest Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $42.00 |
| Blue Southeast Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $42.00 |
| Buffalo Unit Buck Permit | Draw | — | $42.00 |
15% nonresident permit allocation; draw permit for nonresidents, includes $7 application fee. | |||
| Buffalo WT Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $42.00 |
| Calamus East Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $42.00 |
| Calamus West Unit Buck Permit | Draw | — | $42.00 |
15% nonresident permit allocation; draw permit for nonresidents, includes $7 application fee. Special unit restrictions, see page 19. | |||
| Elkhorn Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $42.00 |
| Frenchman Unit Buck Permit | Draw | — | $42.00 |
15% nonresident permit allocation; draw permit for nonresidents, includes $7 application fee. | |||
| Frenchman WT Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $42.00 |
Special unit restrictions, see page 19. | |||
| Keya Paha Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $42.00 |
| Loup East Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $42.00 |
| Loup West Unit Buck Permit | Draw | — | $42.00 |
15% nonresident permit allocation; draw permit for nonresidents, includes $7 application fee. | |||
| Loup West WT Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $42.00 |
| Missouri Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $42.00 |
| Pine Ridge Unit Buck Permit | Draw | — | $42.00 |
15% nonresident permit allocation; draw permit for nonresidents, includes $7 application fee. Special unit restrictions, see page 19. | |||
| Pine Ridge WT Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $42.00 |
| Plains Unit Buck Permit | Draw | — | $42.00 |
15% nonresident permit allocation; draw permit for nonresidents, includes $7 application fee. | |||
| Plains WT Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $42.00 |
| Platte Unit Buck Permit | Draw | — | $42.00 |
15% nonresident permit allocation; draw permit for nonresidents, includes $7 application fee. Special unit restrictions, see page 19. | |||
| Platte WT Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $42.00 |
| Republican Unit Buck Permit | Draw | — | $42.00 |
15% nonresident permit allocation; draw permit for nonresidents, includes $7 application fee. Special unit restrictions, see page 19. | |||
| Republican WT Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $42.00 |
| Sandhills Unit Buck Permit | Draw | — | $42.00 |
15% nonresident permit allocation; draw permit for nonresidents, includes $7 application fee. Special unit restrictions, see page 19. | |||
| Sandhills WT Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $42.00 |
Special unit restrictions, see page 19. | |||
| Upper Platte Unit Buck Permit | Draw | — | $42.00 |
15% nonresident permit allocation; draw permit for nonresidents, includes $7 application fee. | |||
| Wahoo Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $42.00 |
| Youth | — | Youth hunters | $8.50 |
| Resident Youth | — | Ages 10–16; Youth hunters | $8.50 |
Nonresident Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| AO Blue NW | — | — | $103.00 |
Antlerless Only; 2025 Sell-Out Date: Nov. 12 | |||
| AO Blue SE | — | — | $103.00 |
Antlerless Only; 2025 Sell-Out Date: Nov. 4 | |||
| November Firearm | — | — | $372.00 |
| Restricted Statewide Buck | — | — | $888.00 |
| Season Choice | — | — | $103.00 |
| Statewide Buck (either species) | — | — | $1,113.00 |
| Statewide Whitetail Buck | — | — | $838.00 |
| NR Restricted Youth | — | Youth hunters | $8.50 |
| Youth Whitetail | — | Youth hunters | $8.50 |
| Nonresident Deer Preference Point | — | — | $57.00Includes $7.00 application fee |
Application fee is nonrefundable. | |||
| Limited LO Deer | — | Landowner | $187.50 |
| Special Landowner Deer | — | Landowner | $8.00 |
| November Firearm | — | — | $372.00 |
| NR Restricted Youth | — | Youth hunters | $8.50 |
| Nonresident Preference Point | Draw | — | $57.00 |
Purchase Point instead of entering draw | |||
| Restricted Statewide Buck | — | — | $888.00 |
| Season Choice | — | — | $103.00 |
| Statewide Archery | Draw | — | $379.00Includes $7.00 application fee |
draw permit for nonresidents, includes nonrefundable $7 application fee Application fee is nonrefundable. | |||
| Statewide Buck | — | — | $1,113.00 |
| Statewide Buck (either species) | — | — | $1,113.00 |
| Statewide Muzzleloader | Draw | — | $379.00Includes $7.00 application fee |
draw permit for nonresidents, includes nonrefundable $7 application fee Application fee is nonrefundable. | |||
| Blue Northwest Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $372.00 |
| Blue Southeast Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $372.00 |
| Buffalo Unit Buck Permit | Draw | — | $372.00Includes $7.00 application fee |
15% nonresident permit allocation; draw permit for nonresidents, includes $7 application fee. | |||
| Buffalo WT Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $372.00 |
| Calamus East Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $372.00 |
| Calamus West Unit Buck Permit | Draw | — | $372.00Includes $7.00 application fee |
15% nonresident permit allocation; draw permit for nonresidents, includes $7 application fee. Special unit restrictions, see page 19. | |||
| Elkhorn Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $372.00 |
| Frenchman Unit Buck Permit | Draw | — | $372.00Includes $7.00 application fee |
15% nonresident permit allocation; draw permit for nonresidents, includes $7 application fee. | |||
| Frenchman WT Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $372.00 |
Special unit restrictions, see page 19. | |||
| Keya Paha Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $372.00 |
| Loup East Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $372.00 |
| Loup West Unit Buck Permit | Draw | — | $372.00Includes $7.00 application fee |
15% nonresident permit allocation; draw permit for nonresidents, includes $7 application fee. | |||
| Loup West WT Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $372.00 |
| Missouri Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $372.00 |
| Pine Ridge Unit Buck Permit | Draw | — | $372.00Includes $7.00 application fee |
15% nonresident permit allocation; draw permit for nonresidents, includes $7 application fee. Special unit restrictions, see page 19. | |||
| Pine Ridge WT Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $372.00 |
| Plains Unit Buck Permit | Draw | — | $372.00Includes $7.00 application fee |
15% nonresident permit allocation; draw permit for nonresidents, includes $7 application fee. | |||
| Plains WT Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $372.00 |
| Platte Unit Buck Permit | Draw | — | $372.00Includes $7.00 application fee |
15% nonresident permit allocation; draw permit for nonresidents, includes $7 application fee. Special unit restrictions, see page 19. | |||
| Platte WT Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $372.00 |
| Republican Unit Buck Permit | Draw | — | $372.00Includes $7.00 application fee |
15% nonresident permit allocation; draw permit for nonresidents, includes $7 application fee. Special unit restrictions, see page 19. | |||
| Republican WT Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $372.00 |
| Sandhills Unit Buck Permit | Draw | — | $372.00Includes $7.00 application fee |
15% nonresident permit allocation; draw permit for nonresidents, includes $7 application fee. Special unit restrictions, see page 19. | |||
| Sandhills WT Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $372.00 |
Special unit restrictions, see page 19. | |||
| Upper Platte Unit Buck Permit | Draw | — | $372.00Includes $7.00 application fee |
15% nonresident permit allocation; draw permit for nonresidents, includes $7 application fee. | |||
| Wahoo Unit Buck Permit | — | — | $372.00 |
| NR Restricted Youth | — | Ages 10–16; Youth hunters | $8.50 |
Not valid in Frenchman, Pine Ridge or Platte units. Habitat Stamp required for nonresident youth. | |||
Other Licenses
| License | Availability | Eligibility | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted Statewide Buck | — | — | $143.00 |
| Restricted Statewide Buck | — | — | $888.00 |
| Special Landowner Deer | — | — | $8.00 |
A qualifying landowner may purchase as many as eight Special Landowner Deer Permits to designate themselves or immediate family valid to hunt on his or her property. May be purchased at Game and Parks district offices, by mail to the Lincoln office or online. May not be sold, loaned or transferred to another hunter. | |||
Frequently Asked Questions
Nebraska's approximate 2026 mule deer season calendar runs from September 1, 2026, through January 15, 2027. It includes archery, October antlerless firearm, special landowner, November firearm, muzzleloader, and January late-firearm phases. Check the regulations for the specific permit and unit before hunting.
Yes. Nonresidents can apply through a draw for Nebraska Statewide Archery, Statewide Muzzleloader, and Unit Buck permits. The statewide archery and muzzleloader applications each include a nonrefundable $7 fee.
Yes, for residents. Nebraska offers resident over-the-counter Statewide Archery and Statewide Muzzleloader permits for mule deer; nonresident versions are issued through a draw.
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- Nebraska Mule Deer Unit Buffalo
- Nebraska Mule Deer Unit Calamus West
- Nebraska Mule Deer Unit Frenchman
- Nebraska Mule Deer Unit Keya Paha
- Nebraska Mule Deer Unit Loup West
- Nebraska Mule Deer Unit Missouri
- Nebraska Mule Deer Unit Pine Ridge
- Nebraska Mule Deer Unit Plains
- Nebraska Mule Deer Unit Platte
- Nebraska Mule Deer Unit Sandhills
- Nebraska Mule Deer Unit Upper Platte