Dove season opens Sept. 1

Looking for some excellent wing-shooting opportunities? Nebraska's dove season kicks off Sept. 1, with abundant populations statewide.

Bring a friend or family member, and brush up on any last questions you might have with the 2026 Small Game & Waterfowl Guide. For the best success, do some pre-season scouting to keep on top of changing habitat conditions.

Need a good place to hunt? We've got recommendations! Check out the 2026 Dove Hunting Fact Sheet, which lists wildlife management areas planted with sunflower, millet or wheat. You can also find walk-in hunting areas in the Public Access Atlas.

See Dove Hunting Fact Sheet

Get started on the Upland Slam with grouse season

Ready... set... go. Take on a challenge this fall, and get started on the Nebraska Upland Slam with prairie grouse season on Sept. 1. 

To take home the Slam, you'll need to harvest four upland species in Nebraska. With long seasons, access to 1.2 million acres of publicly accessible land, and great mixed bag opportunities, this is a worthy challenge for you and your hunting crew.

Continue the adventure with pheasant season, which kicks off Oct. 31. It will be a momentous occasion: the state's 100th pheasant season. Join the celebration and spend the day in the field.

Learn more about the Slam 

Compete in youth target shooting competition

Know a young person who loves target shooting? Take advantage of this awesome opportunity for them to show off their skills.

It's time to register for the 50th annual Nebraska Youth Smallbore Silhouette Invitational, a free event on Sept. 26 at Pressey Wildlife Management Area in Custer County.

Both individuals and teams can enter. This competition is open to youth ages 11 and older who have completed Hunter Education and have not yet graduated from high school.

Learn more & register

Now's the time to take hunter education

Fall hunting season is coming up fast. If someone you know needs to complete Hunter Education, they'll find lots of options right now, from in-person and hybrid classes to fully-online courses.

Completing Hunter Education is required for those ages 12 to 29, but anyone can benefit from understanding hunting safety.

Learn more & sign up