CUSTER COUNTY – Turkey hunters should be aware of upcoming changes to hunting regulations for 2023. Permit purchasing will begin on January 9, and interested residents and nonresidents should become familiar with the changes, which include the number of permits available, the number of birds to be hunted, and the length of the season.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission announced the changes following its annual meeting earlier this year.
In 2023, hunters may now purchase up to two spring permits, instead of the traditional three. A hunter in the spring season may harvest no more than one turkey per calendar day during the spring season, and starting with the spring season, all turkey harvests must be reported via Telecheck.
It will be illegal to create a baited area on lands owned or controlled by the Game and Parks Commission, and only 10,000 spring permits will be made available to nonresident hunters instead of an unlimited quantity, as has been the case in the past.
The fall season will be shortened from October 1 to November 30, all hunters will be limited to one permit, and the bag limit for all hunters will be lowered to one turkey.
The spring archery season will open March 25, the youth shotgun season on April 8, and the regular shotgun season on April 15; all spring turkey seasons will close on May 31, 2023.
