Nonresident turkey hunters in Nebraska need a spring turkey permit and a $25 habitat stamp to hunt Merriam turkeys. The statewide nonresident spring turkey permit costs approximately $130 per bird, and you can buy up to three spring permits. Permits go on sale January 13 through the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission website at outdoornebraska.gov. For a guided hunt with Double D Trophy Outfitters, we walk every hunter through the permit process so you get the right tag for the right unit. New to Nebraska turkey hunting? Start with our Nebraska turkey hunting guide for a full overview of seasons, areas, and what to expect.
To hunt Merriam turkeys in Nebraska as a nonresident, you need a nonresident statewide spring turkey permit and a $25 Nebraska habitat stamp. The spring turkey permit costs approximately $130 per bird and covers one turkey. You can purchase up to three spring turkey permits per hunter, which means you can harvest up to three birds during the spring season.
Here is what you need:
Nebraska allows one bird per day, so even if you hold multiple permits you cannot fill them all on the same morning. The daily limit keeps the hunting honest and spreads the pressure across the season.
If you book the 5-day two-state Merriam turkey hunt with Double D, you also need a South Dakota Black Hills nonresident turkey tag. The South Dakota Black Hills nonresident spring turkey tag costs approximately $125 and covers one bird in the Black Hills fire units. You will apply for this tag through the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks website at gfp.sd.gov.
The two-state hunt requires two tags: one Nebraska statewide spring permit and one South Dakota Black Hills tag. Combined with the Nebraska habitat stamp, your total license cost for the two-state four-bird hunt runs approximately $520. Double D will confirm current tag costs and unit requirements before you apply, because South Dakota occasionally adjusts its nonresident tag structure. The two-state hunt is also the fastest way to complete the Merriam leg of a turkey Grand Slam.
No other outfitter in the top search results offers a two-state Merriam turkey hunt. The ability to hunt Nebraska and South Dakota Black Hills on the same trip is unique to Double D, and it is the fastest way to complete the Merriam leg of a turkey Grand Slam.
Nebraska makes buying a nonresident spring turkey permit straightforward. The permit is sold online through the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Here is the step by step:
Nebraska spring turkey permits go on sale January 13 and remain available through the close of the spring season. There is no draw and no deadline, but permits can sell out in high-demand units. We recommend buying your permit by mid-February to lock it in before booking season heats up.
Here are the 2026 Nebraska turkey season dates:
| Season | Dates |
|---|---|
| Spring archery | March 25 – May 31 |
| Spring youth archery | March 25 – May 31 |
| Spring youth shotgun | April 10 – May 31 |
| Spring shotgun | April 17 – May 31 |
| Fall youth, archery, shotgun | September 15 – January 31 |
Spring shotgun season opens April 17 and runs through May 31. Archery opens earlier on March 25, which gives you a three-week head start if you prefer a bow. Most Double D hunters book the shotgun season because the birds are most active during peak gobbling in mid to late April. See our full Nebraska season dates page for all game seasons.
South Dakota Black Hills spring turkey season typically opens in mid-April and runs through May. We confirm exact SD dates with you when you book the two-state hunt.
Nebraska makes youth turkey hunting affordable and accessible. Hunters as young as 10 can pursue Merriam turkeys with a youth turkey permit that costs just $8. The youth spring shotgun season opens a week before the general season on April 10, giving kids first crack at birds that have not been pressured yet.
Here is what families need to know:
A spring Merriam turkey hunt is one of the best first hunts for a young hunter. The weather is warming up, the birds are vocal and visible, and the action is fast. Double D loves hosting families, and our guides are patient with first-time hunters. For more on what the hunt experience looks like day to day, see our what to expect on a Nebraska Merriam turkey hunt.
Booking a guided Merriam turkey hunt means you do not have to figure out the permit process alone. Double D Trophy Outfitters has been helping hunters navigate Nebraska and South Dakota tag requirements since 2000, and we walk every hunter through the application and purchase process.
We will tell you exactly which permit to select, confirm your unit, and help you purchase through the state website if you run into trouble. Our commissions page has detailed walkthroughs for buying Nebraska and South Dakota hunting licenses online. For the two-state hunt, we coordinate both tag applications so your permits line up with your hunt dates.
Hunters are responsible for purchasing their own tags and carrying them in the field. Double D is not responsible for lost or incorrectly purchased tags, which is why we take the time to walk you through it before you buy. The $25 habitat stamp is required and is not included in your hunt package price.
License and tag costs are separate from your hunt package. Here is the breakdown for each Double D turkey hunt:
| Hunt Package | Permits Needed | Approximate Tag Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Nebraska Hunt ($2,499) | 1-2 NE spring turkey permits + habitat stamp | $155 (one bird) to $285 (two birds) |
| 5-Day Two-State Hunt ($3,499) | 1 NE spring permit + 1 SD Black Hills tag + habitat stamp | $280 (two birds) to $520 (four birds) |
Tag costs are estimates based on 2026 permit pricing. Nebraska charges $130 per spring turkey permit and $25 for the habitat stamp. South Dakota Black Hills nonresident tags run approximately $125 each. Actual costs may shift slightly year to year.
What is not included in the tag cost: Nebraska state sales tax of 5.5% on the hunt package, gratuities for guides, and transportation to and from the ranch (though free pickup from Chadron, Nebraska is included, and Rapid City pickup is $150 per person round trip).
How much does a Nebraska nonresident turkey tag cost?
A Nebraska nonresident statewide spring turkey permit costs approximately $130 per bird, plus a $25 habitat stamp. You can buy up to three spring permits.
Do I need to apply for a Nebraska turkey tag through a draw?
No. Nebraska spring turkey permits are sold over the counter. There is no lottery. Permits go on sale January 13 and remain available through the close of spring season.
What tags do I need for the two-state Nebraska and South Dakota hunt?
You need one Nebraska nonresident statewide spring turkey permit, one South Dakota Black Hills nonresident spring turkey tag, and a $25 Nebraska habitat stamp. Total tag cost runs approximately $280 to $520 depending on how many birds you pursue.
Can my kid hunt turkeys in Nebraska?
Yes. Nebraska youth turkey permits cost $8 for hunters age 10 through 15. Youth shotgun season opens April 10, one week before the general season. Hunter education is required for first-time permit buyers.
When should I buy my turkey permit?
Buy your permit as soon as they go on sale on January 13. There is no deadline, but high-demand units can sell out. We recommend purchasing by mid-February to secure your tag before the spring booking rush.
Spring dates fill fast because our turkey hunts book out on word of mouth. If you are ready to chase Merriam turkeys on private Nebraska and South Dakota ranches with near 100% shot opportunity, call us at (605) 877-2550, email doubledoutfitters@yahoo.com, or register and pay online. We will walk you through every tag and permit step so you show up ready to hunt. See our Merriam turkey hunt packages for full pricing and details, or read our Nebraska turkey hunting guide to learn more about hunting Merriam turkeys in Nebraska.
