Nebraska

Last updated July 2020

Link to state website

Contact

Shaun Dunn (shaun.dunn@nebraska.gov)
Joel Jorgensen (Joel.Jorgensen@nebraska.gov)
Wildlife Division
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
PO Box 30370
Lincoln, NE 68503-0370
402-471-5419

Is a state permit required for banding?

Yes.

Nebraska Revised Statutes 37-242.

Take, defined.

Take means to harass, wound, hunt, trap, fish, harvest fur, or attempt to harass, wound, hunt, trap, fish, or harvest fur.

Since trapping  is considered a form of take, capturing a bird for banding would be covered by the statute on scientific collecting, below, which states, “Permits may be granted by the commission to any properly accredited person to take and collect for strictly scientific….”

Note that the application form expressly includes banding.

Permit application forms

  • Application Form (online)
  • Renewal – same form
  • Threatened and Endangered – same form
  • Salvage – same form. Indicate that you plan to salvage

State lands

A Scientific and Educational Permit is required to collect any species on property owned or managed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. When collecting on Commission properties such as State Parks, State Recreation Areas, and Wildlife Management Areas, the local area manager is also to be contacted. District office contacts can be found at:http://outdoornebraska.gov/locations/

Prior notice

001.07A5
It shall be unlawful to take any wildlife under the authority of this permit without notifying the area conservation officer, district Law Enforcement Supervisor or if the officer and supervisor are not available, the Law Enforcement Division headquarters, at least 24 hours in advance.
When collecting on Commission properties such as State Parks, State Recreation Areas, and Wildlife Management Areas, the local area manager is also to be contacted. District office contacts can be found at:http://outdoornebraska.gov/locations/

Policies

Statute

Nebraska Revised Statutes

37-418. Permits for scientific, educational, or private wildlife management purposes; when granted.

Permits may be granted by the commission to any properly accredited person to take and collect for strictly scientific, educational, or private wildlife management purposes any of the fauna hereby protected and their nests, eggs, and spawn. The commission shall adopt and promulgate rules and regulations to carry out this section, including, but not limited to, requirements relating to applications, eligibility, species which may be taken, methods of taking, and reporting.

Regulation

Nebraska Administrative Code
Title 163. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Chapter 4. Wildlife Regulations
Scientific and Educational Take Permits

001.07A
The Commission may permit the take and collection of wildlife for strictly scientific or educational purposes, to enhance the conservation and survival of the species, or to substantially augment a scientific body of information. 
Permits issued in accordance with 001.07A may permit any act otherwise prohibited by Chapter 4 Wildlife Regulations or Chapter 2 Fisheries Regulations provided such permits will be conditioned as to authorized activities, possession, species, numbers, location and methods of take.
001.07A2
Permits shall not be issued to persons other than those capable of demonstrating the requisite education, training, or professional experience, determined by the Commission, as necessary to carry out, on a case-by-case basis, the scientific or educational activities so permitted.

001.07A3
Application for a permit must be made to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the applicant must provide the following information: applicant name and personal description to include hair and eye colors, height, weight, date of birth, and gender.  Other information required includes: the species and number requested to be collected and method of take, general locality and purpose of collection activity, and proposed disposition of specimens. Application forms are available from the Commission for submission of this information.
001.07A4
Permits must be carried by the person when engaged in collection or other permit activities. All persons engaged in permit activities must possess a permit. Subpermits may be issued by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to assistants or associates of master permittees.
001.07A5
It shall be unlawful to take any wildlife under the authority of this permit without notifying the area conservation officer, district Law Enforcement Supervisor or if the officer and supervisor are not available, the Law Enforcement Division headquarters, at least 24 hours in advance.
001.07A6
It shall be unlawful to fail to accurately report all activities conducted under the authority of this permit by February 1 following expiration. This report must be provided to the Commission and shall include the following: species taken, common name and Scientific name, number of species taken, date and location (GPS or legal description) of take, and disposition of specimens (released, in collection, etc.).
Forms are available to submit this information from the Commission.
001.07A7
Failure to comply with conditions of the permit or reporting requirements may result in revocation or nonrenewal of the permit as well as possible legal prosecution.
001.07A8
It shall be unlawful to sell, offer for sale, or barter any wildlife taken or held under the authority of this permit.
001.07A9
All species taken or held under the authority of this permit remain the property of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Final disposition of all collected specimens shall be determined by the Commission.

Threatened and Endangered Species

Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis) E
Whooping Crane (Grus americana) E
Interior Least Tern (Sternula antillarum athalassos) E
Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) T
Rufa Red Knot (Calidris canutus rufa) T
Mountain plover (Charadrius montanus) T