Nebraska Mule Deer

I have a cousin that her and her husband ranch a little place in southwest Nebraska, about 20k acres near Keystone. I have been up there a couple of times in the past and have been lucky enough to take a couple nice mule deer. Last time was in 2009, I believe. I always bought tags online, never has been an issue. My brother and I got another invite this year. Turns out that its now a draw and only 210 permits are issued for non-resident. When did this change?? I was all gung ho and now it looks like a good chance we won't get drawn. Last year was a 61% chance and a little higher the year before. Oh well, fingers crossed I guess!

Good luck

Good luck!! Remember someone’s who is entered is going to draw it it.

Nebraska has some trophy white tails. Possible you could hunt those if you don't get drawn for mulies?

I wish. The area of my cousins ranch is predominately mule deer. There are some whitetails south along the river, but I don't have any connections there.

What about muzzleloader for mule deer? Aren't permits over the counter for them still?

I believe that is included in the draw as well, at least in the mule deer conservation area. I do not see any OTC for muzzle loader.

Mulies have declined across some states and interest from out-of-state hunters has increased. I heard on the "Meateater" podcast from last week that sales of hunting licenses are way up in some states since the pandemic began, so maybe Nebraska shifted to Draw Only in response to this?

I believe the Pine Ridge and Sandhills regions are still over the counter starting Aug 1.

We will be in the Platte MDCA.

It looks like the draws are only for November Firearms in 3 of the 5 Mule Deer units.
Edit When I click on the purchase tag button it looks like Muzzle Loader is draw also.

I sure hope you get drawn and can go get you another muley!

I was in Omaha in January and the morning I stepped on the plane to come home at 11:30am it was a balmy 2 degrees with bright sunshine. Other than the bone chilling cold I loved it there. Good people and beautiful area.

First time I went there was probably 20 years ago for Thanksgiving. Seems like for some reason, the sun seems to rise at 3AM. I got up and decided to grab my binoculars and walk out the back door to the top of the nearest hill just so I could see what I could see. To my surprise, all I saw was another hill, and another, and another and way off in the distance, another hill. I'm kidding, it is beautiful country for sure.

Well, looks like we are northbound come November, brother and I both scored tags for rifle season!

I just got the first scouting report...

Great looking deer!

Congrats

Wow
Great looking bucks!!!

Lots of whitetails in that area, mostly along the river.
You may be surprised what shows up come November at that ranch.
Good fishing also very near there, not the big lake.
Had a good friend get back from a fishing trip near there a few weeks ago, they caught some nice flatheads.

Good luck, take something red to wear on Saturdays.

Very true on the red! I’ll be going to the sw part to bow hunt in November. Always a lot of deer and fun!