With nearly one million acres of publicly accessible lands, including more than 325,000 acres of prime habitat within the pheasant range, Nebraska is a destination spot for pheasant season, which begins Saturday, Oct. 31 and continues through Jan. 31.

According to Nebraska Game and Parks, pheasants have a statewide distribution, but certain areas of the state offer more suitable habitat and high pheasant densities.

Best hunting opportunities include 10 counties in the state’s panhandle and a swatch of counties, beginning on the Nebraska-Colorado border, moving eastward along the state’s border with Kansas.

Nonresidents may purchase an annual hunt permit or a two-day permit. Residents may purchase an annual permit. Additionally, a Nebraska Habitat Stamp is required. Permits may be purchased online at outdoornebraska.org.

Most public access opportunities are available on private lands enrolled in the Open Fields and Waters program.

Nebraska’s public walk-in hunting includes 347,000 acres.

The Public Access Atlas is available online at outdoornebraska.org/publicaccessatlas.