State: NE

Why It Matters: Every year, many state fish and wildlife agencies consider updates to their hunting permit allocation and adjustments to their hunting seasons. Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioners (NGPC) are currently discussing changes to the number of deer tags that limits the number of personal deer tags an induvial hunter can receive, and changes to the mountain lion hunting season. It is critical for hunters to stay up to […]

Why it Matters: Legislative sessions in Iowa and Nebraska have adjourned for 2026, closing out the last active sessions in the Great Plains Region. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation was active in both states, working with legislators on introducing, and defeating, legislation that would have impacted sportsmen and women.   Highlights:  Iowa legislators introduced their fair share of sportsmen and women related bills this year, and many […]

Why It Matters: In recent years, there has been an increase in legislation proposed to allow landowners to transfer or sell their limited landowner hunting permits. Allowing landowners to profit from access to public trust wildlife resources on the basis of landownership contradicts foundational conservation principles that have guided American fish and wildlife management policies. The Congressional Sportsmen’s…

Why it Matters: While many, including many of us at the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, are spending their fall chasing pheasants, sitting in deer stands, or calling ducks in, there is still plenty of time to hit the open waters for fishing. With lakes in the upper part of the Great Plains region likely freezing soon,…

Why it Matters: With the deer hunting season in full swing across the country, state fish and wildlife agencies recommend hunters get their deer tested for Chronic Wasting Disease. Chronic Wasting Disease, or CWD, is a fatal, degenerative disease occurring in both farmed and free-ranging deer, elk, caribou, and moose. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation encourages…

Why it Matters: Across the Great Plains region, one of the most anticipated fall hunting seasons is opening soon. Pheasants stand as one of the most popular birds hunted in the Great Plains and offer opportunities for groups to get out and hunt together. However, the pheasant hunting season could have looked substantially different in…

Why it Matters: Passing on our time-honored hunting traditions is crucial for the future of conservation. Mentored hunts and youth hunting seasons provide safe, structured opportunities for young hunters to learn hunting skills, ethical shot placement, and develop confidence. These programs provide the first steps for youth and other first-time hunters to become engaged in…

Why It Matters: The duck hunting season in Nebraska and South Dakota is right around the corner. Duck hunters in these states have two options when it comes to bag limits when they are registering for their Harvest Information Program numbers. The two-tier option aims to address the issue of declining duck hunter numbers and…

Why It Matters: Over the past couple of years, the mountain lion population in Nebraska has increased and is healthy. With the increase in population, Nebraska has been working on increasing opportunities for hunters to hit the field and hunt mountain lions. Since 2023, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC)  has approved two new…

Why It Matters: Firearms have long been one of the most important tools for participating in our outdoor traditions. Recognizing this, the Nebraska legislature is considering two bills that would respectively protect firearm purchasers from having their firearm and ammunition purchases tracked while also protecting the firearm industry from discriminatory business practices. Highlights: Nebraska Legislative…