Muzzleloader Hunt
On November 7, 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a hunt/fish rule that affected hunting on Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge. Muzzleloader deer hunters can now hunt the refuge without a refuge issued permit.All other refuge specific regulations outlined in the refuge hunt brochure remain in place. Hunters must still possess the appropriate state license to hunt the refuge. If you hunt during the November firearm season, you must possess a deer permit that is valid for the November season in the Keya Paha Unit (Keya Paha November Firearm, Antlerless Only, Statewide Buck, or Youth Deer Permit (if eligible)). The Nebraska Statewide Muzzleloader permit is only valid for the month of December. If you have questions, please contact us at fortniobrara@fws.gov.
Hunting is an important wildlife management tool that we recognize as a healthy, traditional outdoor pastime, deeply rooted in America’s heritage. Hunting can instill a unique understanding and appreciate of wildlife, their behavior, and their habitat needs.
As practiced on refuges, hunting, trapping and fishing do not pose a threat to wildlife populations, and in some instances are necessary for sound wildlife management. For example, because their natural predators are gone, deer populations will often grow too large for the Refuge habitat to support. Hunting programs can promote understanding and appreciation of natural resources and their management on lands and waters in the Refuge System.
Hunting
State hunting regulations, seasons, shooting hours, bag limits, and license requirements apply to all hunting on the Refuge. Additional refuge-specific regulations may be found in the Fort Niobrara NWR Hunting and Fishing Brochure.
Open Areas
Hunting is allowed on Refuge lands located North and West of the Niobrara River (approximately 5,100 acres). The Niobrara River is not open for hunting. Hunting is prohibited within 200 yards of any public use facility.
Species
The following species are open for hunting on the Refuge (see additional species-specific regulations below): badger, bobcat, coot, coyote, crow, dark geese, dove, duck, elk, fox, furbearer, greater prairie chicken, hare, long-tailed weasel, light geese, merganser, mink, mule deer, opossum, partridge, pheasant, porcupine, prairie dog, pronghorn antelope, quail, rabbit, raccoon, rail, sharp-tailed grouse, skunk, snipe, squirrel, teal, turkey, white-tailed deer, woodcock, and woodchuck.
Access
Hunters must park in designated parking areas, as identified on the brochure map, to access the Refuge for hunting. Gates opened to enter the hunting area from designated access points must be closed immediately after passing through.
Access to the Refuge from private property is prohibited.
Hunters may access the Refuge 2 hours before legal sunrise until 2 hours after legal sunset.
The Refuge allows canoes, kayaks, and float tubes capable of carrying no more than four people on the Niobrara River below Cornell Dam. All public entry is prohibited upstream of Cornell Dam. All River users must purchase a wristband at the kiosk located at the Refuge launch area as indicated on the map.
Big Game Hunting (white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, pronghorn antelope)
Only state-permitted archery and muzzleloader weapons can be used to take elk, deer, and pronghorn antelope.
The use of centerfire or rimfire rifles is prohibited.
Portable tree stands and ground blinds can be used from August 16 through January 31.
Permanent tree stands/blinds, nails, screw-in steps, or other items that penetrate the outer bark of a tree are prohibited.
Tree marking/flagging and the use of trail cameras is prohibited.
Game carts or any other mechanized device used for retrieving game or transportation are prohibited in the Wilderness Area portion of the Refuge that is open for hunting.
Upland Game, Waterfowl, Migratory Bird, Small Game, and Turkey Hunting
State-permitted shotguns shooting non-toxic shot, archery, and muzzleloader weapons can be used for badger, bobcat, coot, crow, dark geese, dove, duck, fox, furbearer, greater prairie chicken, grouse, long-tailed weasel, light geese, mink, opossum, partridge, pheasant, quail, rabbit and hare, raccoon, rail, skunk, snipe, squirrel, teal, turkey, woodcock, coyote, porcupine, prairie dog, and woodchuck.
Possession of toxic shot in the field is prohibited.
The use of centerfire or rimfire rifles is prohibited.
Trapping is prohibited.
To find out more about hunting opportunities, seasons and regulations on Fort Niobrara NWR, contact the Refuge office.
