Lincoln, Neb. – Nebraskas turkey population is excellent this year, the hunting season is long, and because many hunters get permission to hunt on private land, the public areas shouldnt be crowded.

The statewide archery season opened March 25 and will continue through May 22.

The shotgun season in the West Unit will be April 16 - May 22. The season in the East Missouri Early Unit will be April 16 - 24, and in the East Missouri Late Unit the season will be April 25 - May 22.

The youth archery season opened March 25 and will continue through May 22. The youth shotgun season will be April 9 - May 22.

According to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commissions wildlife area managers, the following public hunting areas offer the best chances of bagging a turkey this spring:

Buffalo Creek WMA, Banner/Scotts Bluff counties, 4,262 acres, 5S, 2 1/2W of Melbeta on county roads

Ponderosa WMA, Dawes County, 3,979 acres, 2S of Crawford on NE 2 to access sign, 4E

Cedar Canyon WMA, Scotts Bluff County, 2,200 acres, 3S, 4W of Gering

Metcalf WMA, Sheridan County, 3,076 acres, 12N of Hay Springs on county road

Gilbert-Baker WMA, Sioux County, 2,457 acres, 4 1/2N of Harrison

Keller School Land WMA, Brown County, 640 acres, from Long Pine 3W on U.S. 20, 9N on U.S. 183, 1 1/4W, 1S on trail roads

Pine Glen WMA, Brown County, 960 acres, 7W of Bassett on U.S. 20, 9N on county road

Plum Creek Valley WMA, Brown County, 1,320 acres, 1 1/2W of Johnstown on U.S. 20, 1 1/2S on county road

Myrtle E. Hall WMA, Custer/Loup counties, 1,960 acres, two locations, East – 8W, 1S of Taylor; West – 11 1/2W, 1S of Taylor

Calamus Reservoir SRA/WMA, Garfield and Loup counties, 10,312 acres, 4W, 3N of Burwell

Grove Lake WMA, Antelope County, 2008 acres, 2N of Royal on county road

Basswood Ridge WMA, Dakota County, 360 acres, 2NW of Homer on county road

Redbird WMA, Holt County, 433 acres, 6SE of Lynch

Yellowbanks WMA, Madison County, 680 acres, 3N of Battle Creek, NE 121, 2 1/2W, 1/2N, 1/2W on county road

George Syas WMA, Platte County, 917 acres, 2S-SE of Genoa on NE 30 then 1 1/2E, 1N

Medicine Creek SRA/WMA, Frontier County, 6,726 acres, 2W of Cambridge, U.S. 6-34, 7N on access road

Swanson Reservoir SRA, WMA, Hitchcock County, 3,957 acres, 2W of Trenton, U.S. 34

Clear Creek WMA, Keith County, 6,244 acres, 1/2S, 4 1/2E, 1S of Lewellyn

Cedar Valley WMA, Lincoln County, 880 acres, 1 1/4E of Wellfleet

Wapiti WMA, Lincoln County, 1,280 acres, 13S, 9E of North Platte

Bassway Strip WMA, Buffalo County, 729 acres, Minden Interchange I-80, S on NE 10 to marked access road

Martins Reach WMA, Hall County, 89 acres, 1/2S 3W along service road on S side of I-80 at Wood River exit

Alexandria Lakes SRA/WMA, Jefferson County, 779 acres, 3E, 1/4S of Alexandria

Sacramento and Satellite Areas WMA, Phelps County, 3,023 acres, 2 1/4W of Wilcox, county road to access sign

Meridian WMA, Thayer County, 400 acres, 2S, 1W of Alexandria

William Gilmour/Tobacco Island WMA, Cass County, 1,604 acres, 1S of Plattsmouth

Hickory Ridge WMA, Johnson County, 444 acres, 1/2W, 3 1/2S of Vesta

Twin Oaks WMA, Johnson County, 1,120 acres, 2E, 3S of Tecumseh

Taylors Branch WMA, Pawnee County, 240 acres, 1 1/2N, 1E of Pawnee City

Oak Glen WMA, Seward County, 633 acres, 1 1/2N of Garland 

Nebraska resident turkey hunting permits for both shotgun and archery hunters are $21. non-resident permits are $66. A current Nebraska Habitat Stamp is required of every resident 16 years of age or older who hunts game species or takes furbearers in Nebraska. All nonresidents, regardless of age, must have a Habitat Stamp to hunt game species or to harvest furbearers. Habitat Stamps may be purchased for $13 from Commission offices, online, or from permit vendors across the state. During the spring shotgun and archery turkey hunting seasons hunters are allowed to take one male or bearded female turkey. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.

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