Wildlife Removal Laws in Nebraska: What Property Owners Need to Know

Nebraska is home to an impressive range of wildlife — white-tailed deer crossing cornfields near Omaha, raccoons raiding trash cans in Lincoln, and coyotes patrolling the Sandhills. When those animals show up where they are not welcome, the instinct to act fast is understandable. But before you set a trap, grab a shovel, or call the first number you find online, you need to understand what Nebraska law actually allows.

Getting this wrong is not a minor inconvenience. Illegal wildlife removal in Nebraska can result in criminal charges, steep fines, and the loss of hunting and trapping licenses. This guide walks you through every layer of the rules — from what you can handle in your backyard to which animals require a licensed professional and what happens if you skip the process entirely.

Can You Remove Wildlife Yourself in Nebraska

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) manages wildlife regulations, which are codified in the Nebraska Revised Statutes. Under those rules, property owners do have some self-help options — but they are narrower than most people assume.

Within the State of Nebraska and in accordance with the laws and regulations of municipalities, persons or their agents may remove wild birds and wild mammals consistent with Commission regulations when those animals are causing damage to personal property or have entered a building. That is the core permission — damage or entry into a structure — and it does not extend to animals you simply find inconvenient or frightening.

Nebraska statute allows a private landowner or tenant to kill a predator preying on livestock or poultry, or suspected of causing other damage on land they own or control, with no permit from the NGPC required. This is a meaningful right for rural Nebraskans dealing with coyotes or other predators threatening their operations, but it applies specifically to active depredation situations — not general nuisance complaints.

Pro Tip: Always check your local city or county ordinances before attempting any wildlife removal. Municipal rules in Nebraska are often more restrictive than state law, and what is legal on a rural farm may be prohibited inside Omaha or Lincoln city limits.

For protected species, migratory birds, and most furbearers, self-removal is either restricted or prohibited outright. When in doubt, contact your local NGPC district office before taking any action.

Which Animals Can Be Removed Without a Permit in Nebraska

Nebraska distinguishes between unprotected species, nuisance animals covered by a damage-control framework, and fully protected wildlife. A handful of common pest species fall into a category where removal is relatively straightforward.

Under Nebraska law, “wild birds” are defined as species native to, migrating to or through, or having established free-ranging populations in Nebraska — except the English sparrow, the European starling, and the common pigeon. That exclusion matters: English sparrows, European starlings, and common pigeons are not protected under state law and can generally be removed or controlled without a permit.

Coyotes (Canis latrans) occupy a unique position in Nebraska law. A private landowner or tenant may kill a predator — including a coyote — that is preying on livestock or poultry or suspected of causing other damage on land they own or control. Outside of a depredation context, coyotes may also be taken during legal hunting seasons. Rabbits and certain rodents classified as pests, such as house mice and Norway rats, can also be controlled by property owners without a permit.

Groundhogs (woodchucks), opossums, and certain other common nuisance mammals may be trapped on your own property when they are causing damage, but the critical restriction on relocation (covered in a later section) severely limits what you can legally do with them after capture. When you are unsure whether a specific animal requires a permit, calling the NGPC before acting is always the safer choice.

Important Note: Just because an animal is a common pest does not mean it is unprotected. Always verify the species with the NGPC before attempting removal, especially for snakes, birds, and small mammals you may not immediately recognize.

Which Animals Require a Licensed Wildlife Removal Professional in Nebraska

A large category of Nebraska wildlife is protected by state statute, federal law, or both — and removing these animals without proper authorization can result in serious legal consequences.

Fox squirrels and wild mammals classified as furbearers may be euthanized only by persons holding a valid Wildlife Damage Control Permit or acting under the authority of a municipality. This means that if a fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) is tearing apart your attic insulation, you cannot simply trap and kill it yourself — you need either a permit or a licensed operator.

Furbearers regulated by the NGPC include raccoons, mink, muskrats, beavers, badgers, red and gray foxes, bobcats, and striped skunks. These animals are subject to season-specific trapping rules and generally cannot be killed outside of those frameworks without a damage-control permit. Southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) are fully protected as a threatened species in Nebraska because of their limited range and low numbers.

All migratory birds are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which Nebraska law explicitly incorporates. Nothing in Nebraska’s private wildlife management rules authorizes the removal or taking of any species protected by the Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act, the federal Endangered Species Act, the federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, or the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

State-listed threatened and endangered species require special handling. Nebraska lists the massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) as threatened, meaning harming or removing one could result in legal trouble and fines. Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) is classified as threatened under state law, prohibiting collection, harm, or relocation without special permits. For any of these animals, contacting a licensed professional or the NGPC directly is the only legal path forward.

Trapping Rules and Legal Methods in Nebraska

Nebraska has specific rules governing how traps can be set, what equipment is permitted, and how often traps must be checked. Violating these rules — even when trapping a species you are legally allowed to target — can result in penalties.

It is unlawful to trap fur-bearing animals unless the traps are checked at least once every calendar day. This daily check requirement is a firm rule, not a guideline. Leaving a trap unattended for more than 24 hours is a violation regardless of whether you catch anything.

All traps set for fur-bearing animals or coyotes must have the owner’s or user’s valid motor vehicle operator license number or Nebraska state identification card number stamped or inscribed legibly onto the trap or onto a metal tag securely affixed to the trap. This identification requirement makes it easy for conservation officers to trace an unattended trap back to its owner.

Permitted trap types for most furbearers include snares, metal spring traps with smooth jaws, and box traps. Raccoon, red fox, gray fox, bobcat, badger, long-tailed weasel, striped skunk, mink, and Virginia opossum may be taken with additional trap types beyond the standard restrictions. Conibear-style body-gripping traps are subject to size and placement restrictions depending on location and target species.

Trap Type	General Use Status	Key Restriction
Box/cage trap	Broadly permitted	Must check daily; ID tag required
Metal spring trap (smooth jaw)	Permitted for furbearers	ID tag required; season restrictions apply
Snare	Permitted with restrictions	Prohibited near certain public lands during upland game bird seasons
Body-gripping trap	Species/size dependent	Size limits apply; placement rules vary by location

Municipal laws are usually more restrictive than state laws regarding the control of tree squirrels, and some communities forbid the use of lethal traps within their jurisdictions. Always verify local ordinances before setting any trap inside city or village limits.

Pro Tip: Trapping during April and May significantly increases the risk of orphaning young animals. Nebraska Wildlife Rehab recommends avoiding trapping during those months whenever possible, as the odds are high that a captured adult is a nursing mother.

Can You Relocate Wildlife in Nebraska

This is where many well-meaning Nebraska property owners unknowingly break the law. The instinct to trap a raccoon and release it in a park across town feels humane — but it is illegal under Nebraska regulations.

In Nebraska, it is illegal to trap and relocate a wild animal more than 100 yards from its original location. This means you may only move an animal the length of a football field, and it will likely return in a short period of time. This restriction applies to wild mammals. You cannot legally relocate a wild mammal more than 100 yards from its original site, and you also cannot legally relocate a reptile or amphibian more than 50 yards from its original site.

The regulation stems directly from the NGPC’s administrative code. Without the authorization of the Commission, it is unlawful to release into the wild any wildlife that has been transported from one location to another over a distance exceeding 100 yards or after such wildlife has been in captivity for a time period exceeding 48 hours.

The practical consequence is significant. In Nebraska, the only two legal options for a nuisance wildlife control operator are to either release the animal within 100 yards or to kill it. If you hire someone who promises to “relocate” your raccoons to a forest preserve miles away, they are either breaking the law or misrepresenting what they will actually do.

There is also a compelling welfare argument against relocation. Studies have shown that a large number of relocated adult animals die very soon after relocation because they may be unable to find appropriate food, water, or shelter in their new habitat, they may be killed by predators, or they may run out of territory already overwhelmed with wildlife.

For deer, antelope, elk, and turkey causing agricultural damage, a different pathway exists. Landowners or tenants experiencing damage to real or personal property caused by deer, antelope, elk, or turkey may be authorized to destroy offending animals, provided specific conditions are met including filing a written notice with the Commission. The NGPC handles these cases through its depredation program rather than relocation.

Hiring a Licensed Wildlife Control Operator in Nebraska

When the animal on your property requires a permit, falls under furbearer regulations, or is protected by state or federal law, hiring a licensed Wildlife Control Operator (WCO) is the appropriate step. Understanding what these professionals can and cannot do helps you ask the right questions before signing a contract.

When issuing a Wildlife Damage Control Permit, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission prescribes the methods, means, species, numbers, time limits, and locations authorized for control under the permit and requires the submission of annual reports summarizing damage control activities. This means a licensed operator works within a defined scope set by the NGPC — they are not free to do whatever they want simply because they hold a permit.

A Wildlife Damage Control Permit authorizes control activities, and all persons engaged in permit activities must possess a copy of such permit. You have every right to ask to see a copy of that permit before work begins. A legitimate operator will have no hesitation providing it.

• Ask whether the operator holds a current NGPC Wildlife Damage Control Permit
• Confirm the permit covers the specific species causing your problem
• Ask how captured animals will be handled — release within 100 yards or euthanasia are the only legal options for most species
• Get a written estimate and scope of work before any traps are set
• Verify that the operator carries liability insurance
• Check with your local NGPC district office if you are unsure whether an operator is legitimate

Damage-control permits are only issued for wildlife currently causing damage, such as deer, antelope, elk, turkey, gamebirds, and other wildlife species, and all city ordinances, county and state laws remain in effect. A licensed operator working in an urban area like Omaha or Lincoln must comply with local ordinances on top of state requirements — confirm they are aware of any municipal restrictions in your area.

If you find an injured or orphaned wild animal, the correct step is to contact Nebraska Wildlife Rehab rather than attempting to handle the animal yourself. A Captive Wildlife Permit is required to retain any wild birds or wild mammals in captivity for personal use. Keeping a wild animal — even temporarily — without authorization is a violation of state law.

For comparison with how neighboring and other states handle similar frameworks, see our guides on wildlife removal laws in Colorado, wildlife removal laws in Missouri, and wildlife removal laws in Minnesota.

Penalties for Illegal Wildlife Removal in Nebraska

Nebraska takes wildlife violations seriously, and the penalty structure reflects that. Depending on the species involved and the nature of the violation, consequences range from modest fines to felony-level criminal charges.

Any person violating any provision of the Game Law or any rules or regulations adopted by the Commission, where a penalty is not otherwise fixed, shall be guilty of a Class III misdemeanor and subject to a mandatory fine of at least fifty dollars upon conviction. That is the floor — many specific violations carry substantially higher penalties.

Shooting at wildlife from any highway or roadway carries a minimum fine of five hundred dollars and is classified as a Class III misdemeanor. Trapping violations, including failing to check traps daily or setting traps without proper identification, fall under similar misdemeanor provisions.

Violations of Nebraska’s wildlife laws can lead to monetary penalties designed to deter illegal activities. The Nebraska Revised Statutes outline specific fines for various infractions that vary based on offense severity and nature. Hunting without a valid permit, for example, can result in fines from $100 to $500, depending on the species and repeat offenses.

Violators may also face license suspension or revocation. The NGPC can suspend licenses from one year to a lifetime, depending on violation severity. Repeated offenses or egregious acts — like poaching endangered species — can lead to permanent revocation.

The most serious penalties apply to protected and endangered species. Certain wildlife law violations can escalate to criminal charges, particularly for intentional or egregious acts. Poaching or trafficking in endangered species can result in misdemeanor or felony charges. A felony conviction for illegal wildlife trafficking can result in a fine of up to $10,000 and imprisonment for up to five years.

Any person who violates provisions related to endangered species regulations or fails to procure any required permit shall be guilty of a Class I misdemeanor. Federal protections add another layer: disturbing a bald eagle nest, for example, carries federal penalties on top of any state charges.

Violation Type	Classification	Potential Penalty
General Game Law violation	Class III misdemeanor	Minimum $50 fine
Hunting/trapping without a permit	Misdemeanor	$100–$500+ fine
Shooting from a roadway	Class III misdemeanor	Minimum $500 fine
Endangered species violation	Class I misdemeanor	Fines + possible jail time
Illegal wildlife trafficking	Felony	Up to $10,000 fine + up to 5 years imprisonment

Fines are not the only financial consequence. Courts can also impose replacement costs for wildlife taken illegally, and those damages apply to each animal taken illegally and apply to wanton waste. If you illegally take multiple animals, replacement costs stack per animal. To report a suspected game violation in Nebraska, call Wildlife Crimestoppers toll-free at 800-742-7627.

Understanding the penalty structure is not meant to discourage you from addressing genuine wildlife problems on your property. It is meant to ensure you go about it the right way. When you work within the law — using permitted methods, hiring licensed operators when required, and respecting relocation limits — you protect yourself legally and contribute to the conservation framework that keeps Nebraska’s wildlife populations healthy for everyone.

For additional state-by-state context, explore our guides on wildlife removal laws in Texas, wildlife removal laws in Ohio, wildlife removal laws in Indiana, wildlife removal laws in Wisconsin, and wildlife removal laws in Virginia. For states with similarly strong agricultural wildlife pressures, see wildlife removal laws in Illinois and wildlife removal laws in Michigan.