Nebraska Veterans Hunting Programs: Honoring Service Through Outdoor Opportunities

Nebraska deeply values its veteran community, offering a comprehensive array of benefits and resources to honor their service and support their transition to civilian life. These benefits include financial assistance, educational opportunities, housing support, employment assistance, and recreational benefits. Among these, hunting and fishing licenses stand out as a unique way to enjoy the state's natural resources.

Comprehensive Support for Nebraska Veterans

Nebraska's dedication to its veteran community is evident through its state-specific benefits. The Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs serves as the primary resource for veterans seeking information and assistance with VA benefits, healthcare, and other services. The state strives to ensure that its veterans receive the recognition, resources, and assistance they deserve, understanding the sacrifices they've made.

Financial and Educational Benefits

Eligible veterans and their dependents can access educational benefits through the Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs. This support extends to tuition waivers at various state educational institutions. Nebraska will waive 100% of tuition and tuition-related fees for the eligible dependents of certain Veterans at a University of Nebraska campus, Nebraska State College, or Nebraska Community College. Armed Forces may be eligible for a 75% tuition credit (50% for graduate or professional degrees) at the University of Nebraska campuses, Nebraska State Colleges, and Nebraska Community Colleges. This program allows 200 new applicants each calendar year.

The Nebraska Veterans Aid Fund provides financial assistance to veterans in need. Furthermore, homestead property tax exemptions are available to wartime veterans and their surviving spouses, reducing their property tax burden. The Nebraska Homestead Exemption Program offers a full or partial property tax exemption for eligible Veterans and Surviving spouses on their homestead and one acre of land.

Property Tax Exemptions:

Non-Service-Connected Totally Disabled Veterans: Partial exemption based on income limits for Veterans with a non-service-connected total disability rating from the VA.
Service-Connected Totally Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses: 100% exempt, regardless of homestead value and income level, for Veterans receiving compensation for a 100% service-connected disability rating from the VA.
Veterans and Surviving Spouses Whose Home was Purchased or Modified with Funds from the VA: 100% exempt, regardless of homestead value and income level, for Veterans who are paraplegic or have multiple amputations.

Applications for these exemptions are made through local county assessors.

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Employment and Reemployment Rights

The Nebraska Department of Labor provides employment services to eligible Veterans and their spouses, offering a full range of public employment and training services. Federal law mandates that Veterans, especially those with disabilities or those who served during specific time periods or in military campaigns, are granted preference over non-veterans when it comes to Federal civil service hiring and retention during workforce reductions. Veterans who receive passing scores on all parts of an examination or numerical scoring will have 5% added to their passing score. An additional 5% will be added to the passing scores of any disabled Veteran. All notices of employment positions available for Veterans Preference and applications for places must state that the work is subject to a Veterans Preference.

The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) protects civilian job rights and benefits for Veterans and members of reserve components. USERRA establishes the cumulative length of time that an individual may be absent from work for military duty and retain reemployment rights for five years. USERRA provides protection for disabled Veterans, requiring employers to make reasonable efforts to accommodate the disability. USERRA provides that returning Service members are reemployed in the job that they would have attained had they not been absent for military service, with the same seniority, status, and pay, as well as other rights and benefits determined by seniority. USERRA also requires that reasonable efforts (such as training or retraining) be made to enable returning Service members to refresh or upgrade their skills to help them qualify for reemployment. Health and pension plan coverage for Service members is provided for by USERRA.

Hunting and Fishing Opportunities for Veterans

Nebraska offers several hunting and fishing permit options tailored to veterans:

Free Nebraska Disabled Veteran’s Lifetime Small Game Hunt/Fish/Fur Harvest Permit: Eligible Nebraska resident disabled Veterans may qualify for this lifetime permit, which includes all state stamps.
Nebraska Veteran’s Annual Small Game Hunt/Fish/Fur Harvest Permit for Resident Veterans: Veterans over age 64 are eligible for this annual permit for $5, which includes all state stamps.
Annual Small Game Hunt/Fish/Fur Harvest Permit for Recently Returned Armed Forces: Veterans who have been discharged from the Armed Forces within the last 12 months are eligible for a one-time annual permit for $5, including all state stamps.
Nebraska Free Disabled Veteran Lifetime Park Entry Permit: Nebraska disabled Veterans may be eligible for a free Disabled Veteran’s Lifetime Park Entry Permit.
Veteran and Active Duty Military Waterfowl Hunting Season: The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission offers a special waterfowl hunting season for veterans and active duty military. The special season is open to qualifying residents and nonresidents and runs in conjunction with the youth waterfowl hunting days. All participating hunters must possess a Nebraska hunt (small game) permit, a Harvest Information Program number, a Federal Duck Stamp, and Nebraska Waterfowl and Habitat stamps, unless otherwise exempt.
One-Day Hunt Permit on Veterans Day: Nebraska residents who are honorably discharged veterans may receive a one-day Hunt permit, Habitat Stamp, and Nebraska Migratory Waterfowl Stamp for free to hunt on Veterans Day (annually, Nov. 11). Those interested in hunting waterfowl would also need to purchase a Federal Duck Stamp and complete HIP registration.
Special Waterfowl Hunting Days: Beginning in 2024, Nebraska’s veterans and activity-duty military have two additional days to hunt waterfowl, in conjunction with the youth waterfowl hunting days.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is proud to offer special permits to veterans age 64 and older, active-duty military, deployed military and disabled veterans at reduced or no cost. Active-duty military personnel, including National Guard members with current active-duty status (deployment, orders that identify active duty status, etc.), stationed at a base in Nebraska can buy an active-duty military vehicle park entry permit to access more than 76 state parks year-round.

Burial Benefits

The burial benefits encompass a gravesite in any of our open cemeteries with available space, the opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government-furnished headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, all at no cost to the family. Some Veterans may also meet the criteria for a burial allowance. Burial benefits extend to eligible spouses and dependents, including burial alongside the Veteran and perpetual care of the interment site. The name and relevant dates of birth and death of the spouse or dependent are inscribed on the Veteran’s headstone at no expense to the family.

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Additional Benefits and Programs

Nebraska Veterans' Homes: Disabled veterans in need of long-term care or assisted living services may qualify for admission to one of Nebraska's veterans' homes.
Vets Get Pets: This program covers up to $350 of an eligible veteran's pet adoption fees.
Outdoor Nebraska Veteran and Military Park Permits: The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission offers special permits to veterans age 64 and older, deployed military, and disabled veterans at reduced or no cost.
Military Lifetime Pass: The US National Park Service offers a free lifetime park pass for US military veterans and Gold Star Families and their dependents, veterans, and Gold Star families.
National Parks Annual Military Pass: The US National Park Service offers a free annual park pass for current members of the US Military and their dependents, veterans, and Gold Star families.
Purple Star Award: For a school to qualify for the Purple Star Award, they must appoint a school liaison specially trained to handle the unique challenges experienced by military families. This liaison will ensure that other teachers at their school are aware of special considerations that students from military families can benefit from.
Facilitating the student placement process: variations in attendance requirements, scheduling, sequencing, grading, course content, or assessment do not disadvantage children of military families.

Nebraska: A Great Place for Veterans to Call Home

Nebraska offers a unique blend of career opportunities and an outstanding quality of life at a reasonable cost. The state's low crime rate, clean air, and stress-free lifestyle make it an attractive place for veterans to settle down. Whether you prefer the rural areas, small towns, or urban centers, Nebraska has something to suit everyone’s tastes.

Quality of Life

Nebraska experiences extended spring temperatures and beautiful fall days filled with vivid colors. The cost of living averages 89-90% of the national average. Nebraska also has one of the shortest commute times in America. Nebraska leads the nation in access to broadband services.

Housing

Nebraska cities and towns offer a wide variety of rental and owner-occupied housing options at very reasonable prices.

Health

Nebraska offers exceptional health care for residents of all ages, with two teaching hospitals and a statewide network of specialty and community hospitals.

Recreation and Entertainment

Nebraska offers a diverse menu of recreation, entertainment and cultural attractions. A growing number of millennials are attracted to the vibrant urban music and arts scene and the states many recreational trails. Nebraska’s 77,000 square miles offer abundant opportunities for hunting, fishing and boating.

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