In mid-January, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission enacted rules and regulations that will allow for a special landowner deer permit for this upcoming fall.

“LB126 was passed during the 2019-20 legislative session, so now NGPC is in the process of enacting that legislation through regulations and orders,” says Alicia Hardin, NGPC wildlife division administrator. “The season allows for landowners that own at least 80 acres of farm and ranch land for agricultural purposes to hunt their own property on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday prior to the regular November firearm deer season. The landowner can designate themselves or their immediate family for up to four of these special permits.”

The law states that “a member of a person’s immediate family means and is limited to the spouse of such person, any child or stepchild of such person, or of the spouse of such person, any spouse of any such child or stepchild, any sibling of such person sharing ownership in the property, and any spouse of any such sibling.”

The legislation says that no more than two of those designees may be 19 years old or older, and two younger than 19 years old. The landowner must also own or lease at least 80 acres for each of the permits.

Pending regulation approval, beginning the last Monday in July at 1 p.m. CST, landowners can submit an application with their information and the information of their designees to any NGPC office where landowner permits are sold and receive their permits.

“They will also be able to mail in their applications anytime through the end of the season,” Hardin says. “Forms will be available online or at NGPC district and headquarter offices.”

For more information, call the NGPC Wildlife Division at 402-471-5431.