Keith Lusher 12.11.25
Nebraska’s 2025 November firearm deer harvest fell 7 percent from last year, a decline wildlife managers expected after several tough seasons for the state’s herds. According to preliminary figures released by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, hunters checked 26,029 deer this year compared to 28,056 in 2024.
Officials say years of drought, harsh winters, and disease have reduced deer numbers statewide. Permit reductions were put in place to ease pressure on struggling herds, creating an anticipated dip in harvest.
Whitetail harvest saw the largest drop. Overall whitetail numbers fell 10 percent from last year. Whitetail buck harvest dropped 3 percent, while antlerless whitetail harvest declined 26 percent from 2024 and 54 percent compared to five years ago.
Mule deer were the lone bright spot. Harvest increased 4 percent from last year, and buck harvest rose 6 percent. Antlerless mule deer numbers, however, were down 9 percent from 2024 and 67 percent from five years ago.
“It is important to remember herd recovery takes time,” said Luke Meduna, Game and Parks’ big game program manager. “We have taken action to help our deer populations rebound. We have reduced antlerless tags 64 percent over the last five years, and buck permit sales have been reduced more than 15 percent, but we have a way to go before we get back to where we want to be.”
Meduna said this year’s permit reductions align closely with harvest totals. November Firearm permits were reduced by 2 percent from last year, and antlerless tags dropped by 20 percent.
Game and Parks aims to rebuild deer numbers to a level that would allow buck harvest success to increase 20 percent for whitetail and 25 percent for mule deer. Managers expect hunters to begin seeing benefits from reduced antlerless whitetail harvest in the coming years.
Nebraska deer populations have struggled since 2019, when permits were increased to address crop depredation issues. Since then, severe drought, hemorrhagic disease, and harsh winters have reduced habitat quality and stressed herds across the state.
Public reaction to the harvest report appeared quickly on social media, with many hunters pointing to predators as a factor.
“Put a bounty on coyotes and stop letting mountain lions spread into central and eastern Nebraska,” wrote Bryon Miller on Facebook.
Another hunter, Kenny Albin, suggested adding mountain lion permits in the northeast, saying there are “plenty on trail cameras.”
Final harvest totals will be released after all deer seasons close. Archery runs through December 31, and muzzleloader season continues through the end of December. The late antlerless and River Antlerless seasons run from January 1 to 15.
Hunters can learn more about herd management, public meetings, big game research, and hunting opportunities at OutdoorNebraska.gov.
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