Fall turkey hunting season opens Oct. 1

Fall turkey season returns in October as hunters will take to the field across the state to bag their bird.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has the following reminders for those hunting during the Oct. 1-Nov. 30 season:

• All harvested turkeys must be reported via Telecheck within 48 hours of harvest. This can be done at gov/hunt/telecheck/ or by calling the phone number on the permit.Reporting via Telecheck is mandatory.
• When hunting during the Nov. 14-22 firearm deer season, turkey hunters must wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange on the head, chest and back.
• Each hunter may only have one fall permit, with a bag limit of one turkey of either sex per permit.
• Hunters may use either shotgun or archery equipment as methods of take.
• Hunters should scout hunting locations in advance, especially near areas affected by recent wildfires in western Nebraska. Be mindful of property lines as fences on private property may have burned.
• Everyone who purchases a turkey hunting permit is encouraged to complete the email survey that is sent a few weeks following the close of the season.

More than 1.3 million acres of publicly accessible lands are available throughout Nebraska, including over 471,000 acres of private lands enrolled in Game and Parks’ Open Fields and Waters Program. The 2026-2027 Public Access Atlas identifies these lands.

Hunters can stay up to date on all turkey regulations by reading the 2026 Turkey Guide. The atlas and guide are available for viewing at OutdoorNebraska.gov/guides-maps/.

Permits, which are valid statewide, may be purchased at OutdoorNebraska.gov and at Game and Parks permitting offices.