Fontenelle Forest Managed Deer Hunt

ALL FONTENELLE FOREST TRAILS ARE CLOSED DECEMBER 5-8 (MON-THURS)

The only exception will be the trails at Neale Woods, which will remain open. The Nature Center will remain open. For everyone’s safety please make sure to respect the trail closures during this time.

Fontenelle Forest has conducted a deer hunt for population management since 1996. The hunt takes place each December, with recent hunts taking place over three days and includes archers and muzzleloader hunters. The majority of Fontenelle property is open to hunters, with the greatest area for muzzleloader hunters on the floodplain and for archers in the hills. The Forest is closed to all other outside activities during the hunt.

Hunters are required to provide the following; a Nebraska deer permit for the applicable area and gender, a state-recognized hunter safety certificate to the corresponding weapon of use, successful completion of a proficiency shoot with the weapon of use, sign a waiver, and pay an administration fee. There is a “points system” in play for taking antlered deer. Hunters are required to harvest two does before becoming eligible to harvest a buck.

Most hunters return each year and are known as veteran hunters. We are not currently taking new hunters.

Read about the history of the Fontenelle Forest managed deer hunt here.