Coyote Hunting Laws in Nebraska: Season, Licenses, and Regulations Explained

Nebraska is one of the most hunter-friendly states in the country when it comes to coyotes. Coyotes are classified as a nongame (unprotected) species under Nebraska law — which means no closed season, no bag limit for residents, no caliber restrictions specific to coyotes, and electronic calls are completely legal. That combination makes the Cornhusker State a top destination for predator hunters from across the region.

Whether you are a Nebraska resident heading out to protect livestock or a non-resident planning a dedicated predator trip, understanding the rules before you go is essential. This guide covers everything you need to know — from license requirements and legal weapons to night hunting, trapping, and landowner depredation rights — all sourced from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC).

Pro Tip: Always confirm the latest regulations directly with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission before heading out, as rules can change between seasons.

Is Coyote Hunting Legal in Nebraska?

Yes, coyote hunting is fully legal in Nebraska. Coyotes and woodchucks are nongame and thus not protected as furbearers; however, they also possess valuable fur and are commonly harvested in Nebraska. This classification gives them a different legal status than regulated furbearers like bobcat or beaver, which carry season restrictions and permit requirements.

Coyote hunting in Nebraska is permitted year-round, as coyotes are not considered a protected species under state wildlife laws. This open-season approach addresses ecological balance and agricultural concerns. Farmers, ranchers, and recreational hunters all take advantage of these permissive rules.

State and federal wildlife refuges and sanctuaries are the only areas where coyote hunting is prohibited statewide. Outside of those restricted zones, you can pursue coyotes on private land with permission or on public land where predator hunting is allowed. If you hunt coyotes in other states, see how Nebraska compares to coyote hunting laws in Colorado and coyote hunting laws in Minnesota.

Coyote Hunting Season Dates in Nebraska

Nebraska has no closed coyote season. There are no shooting hour restrictions for coyotes in Nebraska. You can hunt them at noon or 2 a.m. — the time of day does not matter under state law. This is a significant advantage over many neighboring states that impose restricted shooting hours or seasonal closures on predators.

The following nongame species may be hunted statewide, year-round in Nebraska with no bag or possession limits. Residents do not need a permit to hunt these species, but nonresidents must have a hunt (small game) permit. A Habitat Stamp is not required.

One important timing exception applies during the November firearm deer season. During the November firearm deer season, a hunter without a valid deer permit must hunt other wildlife (including coyotes) with a shotgun, .22 rimfire, or smaller caliber rimfire. If you hold a valid unfilled firearm deer permit, you can use a centerfire rifle in your permit unit during that overlap window.

Key Insight: Winter months (November through February) are considered prime time for coyote hunting. In winter, coyotes become more visible as they move in daylight hours and respond more aggressively to calls due to hunger and breeding drives.

License and Permit Requirements for Coyote Hunting in Nebraska

Nebraska’s permit rules for coyotes depend entirely on whether you are a resident or a non-resident. The requirements are straightforward and among the least restrictive in the Midwest.

Residents

Residents do not need a permit to hunt coyotes, porcupines, prairie dogs, or woodchucks. A Habitat Stamp is not required. Nebraska residents need no permit, license, or Habitat Stamp to hunt coyotes. Because coyotes are classified as nongame — not as game animals or furbearers — they are explicitly exempt from the small game permit requirements that apply to pheasant, quail, and other species.

Non-Residents

Non-residents are required to purchase a Nebraska Hunt (Small Game) Permit before hunting coyotes. As of 2024, a resident hunting permit costs $18, while non-residents pay $109. Verify current fees with the NGPC before purchasing, as permit costs can be adjusted between licensing years.

The NGPC Small Game and Waterfowl Guide allows non-residents up to 1,000 furbearers total per season across all furbearer species. In practical terms, this limit is never reached by recreational hunters — it is a paper limit that applies primarily to commercial trappers running multiple lines across a full season.

Hunter Education

Hunters ages 12 through 29 must have on their person proof of successful completion of firearm Hunter Education while hunting with a firearm or air gun. This requirement applies regardless of whether you are hunting coyotes or any other species in Nebraska.

Hunter Type	Permit Required	Habitat Stamp Required	Bag Limit
Nebraska Resident	None	No	None
Non-Resident	Hunt (Small Game) Permit	No	None (1,000 furbearer cap)

You can purchase non-resident permits through the NGPC online licensing system or at any license vendor in the state. For a full look at Nebraska hunting permit requirements across all species, see Nebraska hunting laws.

Legal Methods and Weapons for Coyote Hunting in Nebraska

Nebraska imposes very few weapon restrictions when it comes to coyote hunting. There are no caliber restrictions unique to coyote hunting in Nebraska. The firearm restrictions in Nebraska’s administrative code that specify minimum calibers and bullet requirements apply only to hunting antelope, deer, elk, mountain lion, and mountain sheep — not to nongame species.

Hunters can use firearms, archery equipment, and trapping methods but must adhere to state and federal regulations regarding ammunition and trapping devices. Suppressors are also legal for coyote hunting in Nebraska. Most hunters use .223 or .22-250 rifles for long shots, or shotguns with heavy loads for close-range action.

• Centerfire rifles (any caliber, outside November firearm deer season without a deer permit)
• Rimfire rifles (.22 and smaller)
• Shotguns
• Archery equipment (bows and crossbows)
• Suppressors (legal for all game in Nebraska)
• Decoys (fully permitted)

A few universal firearm safety rules still apply. Do not fire weapons from the right-of-way of a public road. It is illegal to have or carry a loaded shotgun in or on any vehicle on any highway or roadway. A shotgun is considered loaded if there is a shell or shells in the chamber, receiver, or magazine.

Important Note: During the November firearm deer season (Nov. 14–22, 2026 per the NGPC), hunters without a valid deer permit must limit coyote hunting to shotguns and rimfire rifles. If you hold a valid unfilled deer permit, centerfire rifles remain legal within your permit unit.

Curious how Nebraska’s weapon rules compare to neighboring states? Check out coyote hunting laws in Missouri and coyote hunting laws in Indiana for a direct comparison.

Night Hunting and Electronic Call Rules in Nebraska

Nebraska’s night hunting rules for coyotes are more permissive than most states, but they do come with location-specific restrictions that every hunter needs to understand before heading out after dark.

Night Hunting on Private Land

Private land: Night hunting on private land with the landowner’s permission is fully legal. Artificial lights, thermal scopes, and night vision are all permitted on private ground. This makes Nebraska a top-tier destination for guided night predator hunts.

Night Hunting on Public Land

Public land: Night hunting coyotes on public land (WMAs, state recreation areas, federal lands) is effectively prohibited. The artificial light restrictions under Nebraska Revised Statute 37-514 apply to public ground, and without artificial lights or thermal, practical night hunting is not feasible.

The key rule governing artificial light use comes from Nebraska Revised Statute 37-514. You cannot use a spotlight, headlight, or other artificial light from or attached to a vehicle or boat while in possession of a firearm or bow and arrow. This prohibition applies to coyotes just like any other species. You can use artificial lights while hunting on foot.

There is a limited exception in NRS 37-514(2)(b) for landowners, operators, or their regular employees using artificial light from a vehicle on their own property for predator control — but this applies to property owners and ranch employees, not visiting hunters.

Thermal and Night Vision Equipment

Nebraska law explicitly permits both thermal and night vision devices for coyote hunting. The NGPC states it directly on their Furbearers page: thermal scopes are allowed when hunting coyotes. The restriction on thermal and night vision equipment in Nebraska’s administrative code (Title 163, Chapter 4) applies only while hunting game animals and game birds. Coyotes are nongame — that restriction does not apply.

Electronic Calls

Electronic predator calls are legal for coyote hunting in Nebraska with no restrictions. The NGPC Furbearers page states directly: “Electronic predator calls and thermal scopes are allowed when hunting coyotes.” The prohibition on electronic calls in Nebraska applies to game birds — turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl. Since coyotes are nongame, that restriction does not apply.

For comparison, see how night hunting and electronic call rules differ in coyote hunting laws in Ohio and coyote hunting laws in Wisconsin.

Trapping Coyotes in Nebraska

Unprotected nongame animals, such as coyotes, may be harvested year-round. Their pelts are prime during the primary hunting and trapping season, and that is when most coyotes are trapped and hunted. Because coyotes are not classified as furbearers under Nebraska law, the formal furbearer trapping permit structure does not apply to them.

For residents ages 16 and older, a fur harvest permit and habitat stamp are required to hunt or trap furbearers in Nebraska; no permit is needed for residents to harvest coyotes. Nonresidents need a nonresident small game permit for coyotes.

All traps must meet Nebraska’s identification requirements. Body-gripping traps with a jaw-spread larger than 5 inches may be used only when placed under water or at least 6 feet above the ground in certain areas. It is unlawful to set any trap for furbearers or coyotes unless such trap has the required information stamped or inscribed. Trapping hours for coyotes run 24 hours a day.

• No closed trapping season for coyotes — year-round trapping is legal
• No fur harvest permit required for residents trapping coyotes
• Non-residents need a Hunt (Small Game) Permit
• All traps must be properly identified with required information
• Body-gripping traps over 5-inch jaw-spread face placement restrictions
• No trapping allowed in state or federal refuges and sanctuaries

Successful completion of a hunter education course is not required for trapping. For detailed trap type rules and the latest season guide, refer to the NGPC Trapping page and download the current Small Game and Waterfowl Guide.

Landowner Rights and Depredation Rules in Nebraska

Nebraska gives landowners significant authority to deal with coyotes that threaten their livestock or property — and the rules are straightforward.

Any farmer or rancher owning or operating a farm or ranch may destroy or have destroyed any predator preying on livestock or poultry or causing other agricultural depredation on land owned or controlled by him or her without a permit issued by the Commission. For purposes of this subsection, predator means a badger, bobcat, coyote, gray fox, long-tailed weasel, mink, opossum, raccoon, red fox, or skunk. No hunt or fur harvest permit is required.

Landowners in Nebraska have the right to grant or deny hunting access on their property, as stated in Nebraska Revised Statute 37-722. Hunters must obtain explicit consent before entering private lands to avoid trespassing charges, which may result in fines or civil liability.

There is also a special aircraft provision for serious depredation situations. The commission may issue a special permit authorizing the holder to use aircraft for the purpose of shooting or attempting to shoot coyotes. Such permit is issued only after it is shown that the coyote population is so large in an area as to present a substantial threat to livestock and other domesticated animals and that property owners will not be detrimentally affected by such issuance.

Important Note: The vehicle-spotlight exception under NRS 37-514(2)(b) allows landowners, operators, or their regular employees to use artificial light from a vehicle on their own property for predator control. This does not extend to visiting hunters or guests — only to the property owner and their regular employees.

Nebraska also has no coyote bounty program at the state level. There is no bounty on coyotes in Nebraska. However, there can be instances when ranch owners enlist the services of hunters to kill coyotes. Private arrangements between landowners and hunters are common across the state’s agricultural regions.

Violations of Nebraska’s hunting laws carry real consequences. Fines for violations can reach up to $500 for first-time offenders, with repeat violations resulting in higher fines and longer license suspensions. Courts may also impose additional sanctions such as community service or mandatory hunter education programs.

If you hunt coyotes across multiple states, it helps to know how landowner and depredation rules differ elsewhere. See our guides on coyote hunting laws in Texas, coyote hunting laws in Arizona, and coyote hunting laws in Washington for comparison.

Nebraska’s coyote regulations reward preparation. Residents face virtually no paperwork barrier — just know the firearm rules during deer season and follow the artificial light restrictions after dark. Non-residents need a small game permit in hand before they hunt. Beyond those basics, the state offers some of the most open predator hunting access in the country, backed by year-round seasons, no bag limits, and full support for electronic calls and thermal optics on private ground. Always download the current NGPC Small Game and Waterfowl Guide before each season to catch any regulatory updates.