(1)(a) The commission may issue permits for the hunting and killing of deer and prescribe and establish regulations and limitations for the hunting, killing, transportation, and possession of deer. The commission may specify by regulation the information to be required on applications for such permits. Regulations and limitations for the hunting, killing, transportation, and possession of deer may include, but not be limited to, regulations and limitations as to the type, caliber, and other specifications of firearms and ammunition used and specifications for bows and arrows used. Such regulations and limitations may further specify and limit the method of hunting deer and may provide for dividing the state into management units or areas, and the commission may enact different deer harvest regulations for the different management units pertaining to sex, species, and age of the deer harvested. (b) The number of such permits may be limited, as provided by the rules and regulations of the commission, and except as provided in section 37-215.04 the permits shall be disposed of in an impartial manner. Whenever the commission deems it advisable to limit the number of permits issued for any or all management units, the commission shall, by rules and regulations, determine who shall be eligible to apply for such permits. In establishing eligibility, the commission shall give preference to persons who did not receive a permit during the previous year or years. (c) Such permits may be issued to allow killing of deer in the Nebraska National Forest and other game reserves and such other areas in the State of Nebraska as the commission may designate
whenever the commission deems that permitting such killing will not be detrimental to the proper preservation of wildlife in Nebraska in such forest, reserves, or areas. (d) The commission shall, pursuant to section 81-814.02, establish and charge a fee of not less than twenty dollars and not more than twenty-five dollars for residents and not less than one hundred fifty dollars and not more than two hundred dollars for nonresidents for each permit issued under this subsection. (e) The commission may issue nonresident permits only after a reasonable period has first been provided solely for issuance of resident permits, and if the commission issues nonresident permits, the issuance of resident permits shall continue until permit quotas have been filled or a reasonable cutoff date reached. No permit shall be issued until after a reasonable period for making application, as established by the commission, has expired. When more valid applications are received for any management unit than there are permits available, such permits shall be allocated on the basis of a public drawing. All valid applications received during the predetermined application period shall be considered equally in any such public drawing without regard to time of receipt of such applications by the commission. (f) No person shall be issued a permit to kill deer, antelope, or elk unless such person is at least twelve years of age, except that any person who is twelve through fifteen years of age shall only hunt deer, antelope, or elk when accompanied by a person twenty-one years of age or over.
(2) The commission may issue permits for the hunting and killing of antelope and may establish separate and, when necessary, different regulations therefor within the limitations prescribed in subsection
(1) of this section for the taking of deer. The commission shall, pursuant to section 81-814.02, establish and charge a fee of not less than twenty dollars
and not more than twenty-five dollars for residents and not less than one hundred dollars and not more than one hundred thirty dollars for nonresidents for each permit issued under this subsection. The provisions for the distribution of deer permits and the authority of the commission to determine eligibility of applicants for permits as described in subsection
(1) of this section shall also apply to the distribution of antelope permits.
(3) The commission may issue permits for the hunting and killing of elk and may establish separate and, when necessary, different regulations therefor within the limitations prescribed in subsection
(1) of this section for the taking of deer. Permits to hunt and kill elk issued pursuant to this subsection shall not be issued to nonresidents. The commission shall, pursuant to section 81-814.02, establish and charge a nonrefundable application fee of not less than five dollars and not more than seven dollars and a fee of not less than one hundred dollars and not more than one hundred thirty dollars for each elk permit issued. A person may obtain only one elk permit in his or her lifetime except for a limited permit to hunt elk pursuant to section 37-215.03. The provisions for the distribution of deer permits and the authority of the commission to determine eligibility of applicants for permits as described in subsection
(1) of this section shall also apply to elk permits.
(4) The commission may issue permits for the hunting and killing of mountain sheep and may establish separate and, when necessary, different regulations therefor within the limitations prescribed in subdivisions
(1)(a) and (f) of this section for the taking of deer. Such regulations shall include provisions allowing persons who find dead mountain sheep, or any part of a mountain sheep, to turn over to the commission such mountain sheep or part of a mountain sheep. The commission may dispose of such mountain sheep or part of a mountain
sheep as it deems reasonable and prudent. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the permits shall be issued to residents of Nebraska. The commission shall, pursuant to section 81-814.02, establish and charge a nonrefundable application fee of not less than twenty dollars and not more than twenty-five dollars for permits issued only to residents. Any number of resident-only permits, as authorized by the commission, shall be awarded by random drawing to eligible applicants. No permit fee shall be charged in addition to the nonrefundable application fee. No more than one additional permit may be authorized and issued pursuant to an auction open to residents and nonresidents. The auction shall be conducted according to rules and regulations prescribed by the commission. Any money derived from the sale of permits by auction shall be used only for perpetuation and management of mountain sheep, elk, and deer. If the commission determines to limit the number of permits issued for any or all management units, the commission shall by rule and regulation determine eligibility requirements for the permits. A person may obtain only one mountain sheep permit in his or her lifetime.
(5)(a) Subject to rules and regulations adopted and promulgated by the commission, the secretary of the commission may designate special deer depredation seasons by executive order. The secretary may designate a depredation season whenever he or she determines that deer are causing excessive property damage. The secretary shall specify the number of permits to be issued, shooting hours, the length of the depredation season, and the geographic area in which hunting will be permitted. Each such permit shall give the holder the right to take one deer. Hunting during a special depredation season shall be limited to residents and shall be restricted to firearms which are permissible for use during the regular deer season.
(b) The depredation season may commence not less than five days after the first public announcement that the depredation season has been established. Permits shall be issued beginning not less than three days after the first public announcement of the depredation season and shall be issued in an impartial manner at a location determined by the secretary. The commission shall, pursuant to section 81-814.02, establish and charge a fee of not less than twenty dollars and not more than twenty-five dollars for a special depredation season permit. Fifty percent of the fee shall be paid by the commission to a landowner or operator within the designated area upon satisfactory proof a deer was killed upon his or her farm or ranch during the special depredation season. Receipt of a depredation season permit shall not in any way affect a person's eligibility for a regular season permit.
