Whitetail Deer Hunts

We offer several hunts, and will customize to meet a hunter's hunting needs. We prefer to talk with each hunter individually in planning the proper hunt for them or a group.
 

• We offer Rifle "Rut" Trophy Whitetail Hunts.

• Non-resident whitetail deer "hunting permits Over-The-Counter", allows family and group Deer Hunting Trips so planning can be done well in advance.

• Nebraska Whitetail Deer Permits cost $242.

• Nebraska is cheaper and easier to travel to than other western states.  Most hunters drive.

• Nebraska non-resident Youth Deer Licenses are $8.00.

• Nebraska month long December muzzleloader deer season for a trophy whitetail deer.

• Crossbows are legal during archery deer seasons.

• Our Trophy Nebraska whitetail deer hunts are "Free Ranging Wild Deer Fair Chase Hunts"

 

We offer the following guided hunts: 
Whitetail Velvet $3,000

Whitetail Archery $3,200

Whitetail Muzzleloader $3,500

Whitetail Rifle $3,800

*All hunts are fully guided and include food and lodging.
 

Nebraska Whitetail Deer hunt dates:
*Archery - TBD (September, October, November)

*Velvet Archery - September 1 - September 5
*Rifle - TBD (November)
*Muzzleloader - TBD (December)

 

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*Tipping are customary, and a good way of saying thank you to those involved for a job well done who made your trip enjoyable. The industry standard for a hunting Tip is 10-20%. 
*Non-Hunters are welcome to come with their friends or family members for a $400 fee per individual (with a maximum of 1 per paid hunter).


Guided Nebraska Whitetail Deer Hunts:

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We provide 1 guide per 3 hunters. As deer hunters fill their tags, their guide is freed up to spend excess time with remaining hunters. After an animal has been harvested, pictures will be taken. We will field dress your deer, bring you and your deer to a mandatory Nebraska Game and Parks checking station, and then transport your whitetail deer to be processed (clients are responsible for this fee).  

Fully guided whitetail deer hunts include: lodging, meals, field transportation and field care.

Not included: licenses, permits, meat processing, taxidermy, any shipping cost and cost accrued getting to and from point of hunting location.
 

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Nichol Ridge Outfitters Nebraska Whitetail Deer Management program are a key in our successful Outfitter operation.

 

• Our goal is to harvest mature trophy whitetail deer in the  120"-170" range.

• Whitetail bucks harvested must have minimal of 4 points on one side, eye guide guard counts as a point. Fine is $400.

• Good food sources, genetics, predator control, and harvesting only mature trophy whitetail deer. 

• We doe hunt as needed as allowed by regulation. 

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Nebraska Deer Hunting Permits

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All these permits/tags can be purchased online and printed out at www.outdoornebraska.org

• Non-resident specific game management unit deer permits are $285 

• Non-resident youth deer permits are $8

• Non-resident firearm statewide buck permits are $707 

• Non-resident antler less-only permit are $82

• Required Nebraska State Habitat Stamp is $25

Areas we hunt, the specific unit permit, can be used for either a Whitetail or Mule deer.  The state wide permit is good for only Whitetail.  When compared to other Mid-West and Western States these tags are very reasonable. What's best they all can be bought over Over-The-Counter!  

Note: permits are non-refundable and non-transferable.  

 
Hunter Education

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Hunter Education is required for all hunters ages 12 through 29:

• Hunting with either a firearm, or crossbow must have on their person proof of successful completion of Firearm Hunter Education.

• Hunting deer with bow and arrow must carry proof of successful completion of Bow hunter Education.

• Who have not completed a Firearm Hunter and/or Bow hunter Education course may obtain an Apprentice Hunter Education Exemption Certificate from the Commission.

 
 
Nebraska Whitetail Deer Hunt Info

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• Nebraska whitetail deer hunting terrain we hunt is diverse, varying from creek and river country, to cultivated fields of alfalfa, corn and wheat, to vast open range rolling sandhills. Hunters are positioned overlooking river bottom openings, travel funnels or bluffs where deer go between feeding and bedding.

• Nebraska Whitetail deer hunts we use traditional whitetail deer hunting methods, consisting of ground blinds, propositioned tree stands and some spot and stalk. 

• Private Land Whitetail Deer Hunts with 4x4 vehicle access. 

• Our Nebraska deer hunting grounds accommodate most whitetail deer hunters of any age and challenges.

• Commute to one of the Nebraska deer hunting locations on average is 5-35 minutes.

• Hunter Orange is required by all Nebraska whitetail deer hunters except archery. When whitetail deer hunting during authorized firearm deer season you have to display orange on head, chest and back of least 400 square inches of hunter orange material.

• Rifle, Crossbow and  Archery whitetail deer seasons are during November Whitetail Rut.

• December Muzzleloader, Nebraska archery or crossbow whitetail deer hunting season covers last part of  "Rut", when whitetail deer congregate on food sources, and in larger numbers to winter.

• You will need to review, and understand the Nebraska Hunting Regulations.

*No smoking in the lodge, hunting vehicles, tree-stands or blinds.

 

Recommendations to shoot your trophy buck

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• Shots are normally between 50 to 200 yards for whitetail rifle hunts, archery or crossbow shots are 15-50 yards, and muzzleloader 25-150 yards.

• Good whitetail deer calibers are: 6.5-300 wby mag, 270 win, 270 WSM, 308, 30-06, 7mm rem mag, 7mm WSM, 28 Nosler, 300 WSM, or 300 win mag.

  • We recommend a bullet weight of 140-180 grains.

• Rifle: a flat shooting deer rifle you effectively shoot, limbsaver recoil pad, highest quality variable scope, muzzle brake, sling, and bipod.

• Good Youth Whitetail Deer Calibers: 7mm-08 Remington, 6.5 Creedmoor, or 308 with a muzzlebreak.  With light calibers for a youth, teach them good patience's, and shot selection for both safety and clean kills.

• Most important, bring a whitetail deer rifle you can shoot straight without flinching! You will need to shoot your rifle often before your hunt to be proficient.

• Premium grade ammunition and bullets are a must with a high ballistic coefficient.  Good ones: Federal

• Premium Trophy Bonded Tip Ammo, Barnes VOR-TX Rifle Ammo TTSX, Remington Premier Accu-Tip, Winchester XP Ammo, Nosler Custom Trophy-Grade Ammunition, or HSM’s Trophy Gold with Berger Bullets.  Buy only one of the best!

• Make sure your guns trigger has a safe, light, crisp tripper pull between 2.75 and 3.25 pounds.  Bring your gun to a gunsmith, and have trigger adjusted.  This will greatly help your accuracy!

• Install a muzzlebrake. This will reduce recoil help your accuracy.

• Good whitetail deer rifle and hunter should be shooting 3-5 shots in 1" to 1.25" group at a 100 yards.  If it don't, a problem is needing to be fixed before your hunt.

• Archery is an exciting way to hunt Nebraska trophy whitetail with excellent chances for a Pope & Young trophy whitetail buck.  Our archery nebraska whitetail deer hunting has been very successful with multiple chances by using the highest quality equipment.

  • You need to be able to hold the draw, and shoot with pin point accuracy.

    • The newer PSE, Matthews, Hoyt or Bowtech bows are all good.

  • 50 pound minimum draw weight.

  • Lazar Range Finder is a must for all archery deer hunting.

  • Sighted in out to 60 yards.

  • Strong boardheads either fixed or mechanical: Muzzy Trocar HB hybrid 4 Blade, New Archery Products (NAP) Kill Zone Maxx or SpitFire, Rage X-Treme or Chisel, or Swhacker.

    • We recommend 100-125 grain board heads for our archery whitetail deer hunts.

  • Nebraska archery whitetail deer hunts always bring a spare release.

• Crossbow can be legally used anytime during nebraska archery deer season.

  • Nebraska Game and Parks did an excellent job getting this approved and in place.  My hat is off to them for their vision and understanding on this weapon and how it opens the door for many deer hunters

  • Our whitetail deer hunters so far have used Ten Point, PSE, and BowTech crossbows with excellent success.

    • For crossbows, overall weight, speed, and having a light crisp trigger pull are critical.

  • Good Crossbow Broadheads: Rage Crossbow X, Excalibur Bolt Cutter, NAP Crossbow Spitfire Maxx, NAP Killzone, or Grim Reaper Whitetail Special.

    • I encourage all hunters to do some self-research on Crossbows and its whitetail deer hunting applications.

• Muzzleloader Nebraska whitetail deer hunts December 1-31 are a excellent time to hunt.  The muzzleloader whitetail deer season in Nebraska is a awesome time to hunt for a trophy Nebraska whitetail deer!

  • You need your muzzleloader shooting accurately out to 200 yards.

  • Many of our muzzleloader deer hunters use a TC Triumph Bone Collector,  CVA Accura V2 Long Range, or Traditions Vortek Ultra Light LDR muzzleloaders fitted with a muzzleloader bullet drop compensator (BDC) scope.

    • Scopes: the Bushnell Trophy DOA Muzzleloader Scope, the Nikon In-line Muzzleloader Scope,or the Leupold Ultimate Slam Muzzleloader Scope work well.

    • Open sites: Truglo Fiber-optic sights works.

    • Lazar Range Finder is a Must for muzzleloader whitetail deer hunting.  Leupold, Nikon, or Bushnell to name a few.

    • Sight in your muzzleloader for 50, 100, 150 and 200 yards.

  • Magnifying Scopes, Pellets and SABOTS can be used on a Nebraska muzzleloaders whitetail deer hunt.

  • Our muzzleloader whitetail deer hunters have had excellent Muzzleloader Whitetail Deer Hunting Success with these combinations of following muzzleloading components.

    • Muzzleloader Bullets:  260 or 300 grain "Harvester Scorpion PT Gold, or 250 or 290 grain Barnes Spit-Fire TMZ, or 300 grain Barnes Expander MZ, or 240 or 300 grain Hornady XTP MAG Bullet, 240 or 300 grain T/C Arms Mag Sabots XTP, or 300 grain Cutting Edge Raptor, or 250 grain Cutting Edge Maximus. 

    • Muzzleloader Powder:  I only recommend Blackhorn 209 powder.  Its the best I have used, and seen used!  None Better!  Extremely Low Residue! 

    • Muzzleloader Primers: CCI 209M, or Federal 209A.

  • We recommend trying a muzzleloader rifle Hammer Extender, a TC Power Rod and Speed Loaders.

  • If you are a hard core muzzleloader whitetail deer hunter or a whitetail deer hunter wanting to extend your deer season.  Nebraska month long December muzzleloader whitetail deer season is must to consider for all whitetail deer hunters.

Note: It takes a mature trophy whitetail deer hunter to only take shots they know they can make.  Come prepared being able to use your weapon accurately and have you and your weapon of choice ready to perform!
 

Lodging and Meals

Our lodging is an updated, very clean rural Farm House on a quite country road with a very relaxing atmosphere. The meals are hearty home-made in a buffet style, which you serve yourself when ready. 

Breakfasts are light and quick consisting of dry cereals, instant oatmeal, pastries, toast, and fruit. There will also be assorted juices, and coffee.

Lunch, you will pack your own lunch of cold-cut sandwiches the night before. Also, along with sandwiches there will be fruit, chips, crackers, sweets, water and soda. There are plenty of choices to pick from. You are also more then welcome to any left-overs there might be in the fridge at anytime. We recommend you pack a heartier lunch then you are use to.  We have found the Nebraska fresh air always increases the appetite.

Our Nebraska Dinner meals will consist of salad, casserole dishes, meat dishes, or crock-pot meals, vegetables, rolls and dessert.  Meals are hearty and home-made and very delicious! 

If you have any meal concerns or special meal needs please bring it to our attention before or when booking your hunt. Also you are more than welcome to provide your own snacks or soft drinks of your liking to bring on the hunt.

• Food and non-alcoholic drinks are always available to you. No one goes hungry. The biggest complaint we get is a person weighs more at the end of their hunt than upon arriving.

• If you enjoyed our meals, tip the cook.

• Alcohol is not provided, but is allowed after hunting is done for the day. Intoxication will not be tolerated. 

 
Meat and Taxidermy - Nebraska

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A problem a deer hunter faces who has just driven or flown across the country to go on a deer hunt is how to get the meat, cap and antlers safely home.   Please read below on what we have learned and know: 

• Ensure you know Nebraska, states traveling thru and state you live in big game transportation and importation laws and any other legal requirements in this area. This is your responsibility.

• Check with your airline or ground carrier about any restrictions about transporting meat/cape/antlers.

  • Keeping same airline on connecting flights will help avoid luggage issues.

• After the mandatory deer check-in requirements are completed.  On a few of the farms and ranches we whitetail hunt on there is a water source and place to hang and breakdown your own deer.  Ask me ahead of time if this is an option where you will be hunting.

• Some hunters that drive will put a freezer in the back of there truck or in a utility trailer which can be plugged in or ran with a generator.

• You should use coolers for transporting your meat and cape.

  • Flying: duct tape the coolers shut after you get to the airport in case they need to open and pack them as tightly as possible with frozen solid meat. 

  • Driving: use duct tape to hold the lids tightly shut. This keeps out air, even when the truck is on rough roads, and hits bumps.

• If you fly, once the meat is processed and frozen, it can be boxed and checked as excess baggage.  Meat should be frozen as dry ice is not allowed on airplanes.

• If you fly, a Cape can be frozen and put in a cooler then checked in or checked as excess baggage.  

• Antlers can be packaged and shipped by mail or checked as excess baggage.  
   

We have an excellent local meat processor that will try to have your deer packaged and frozen by the time you are ready to leave for home.  

• The cost for basic processing is approximately $125 and $25 additional for capping.

• If you do not wish to take your meat home, arrangements can be made to have it donated. You are still responsible for the processing fee.

• The butcher will not accept the deer for donation unless the processing fee is paid at time of drop off.

US Mail, UPS, or FedEx, we have had hunters use all with good success.  To make this work best with perishable items. They need to be shipped out at a office by the main airport you fly into. Reason, where we are located in Nebraska we are far away from the interstates and major airports so everything is Ground shipment first, then overnight so "overnight" actually turns into 2-3 days. Note: if shipping nonperishable where time isn't a factor. We have a Post office's and drop boxes for UPS and FedEx in our local areas.


Award Winning Local Taxidermist is available to mount or expedite your trophy.  They are very knowledgeable, and highly skilled on all species we hunt.  This is an easy and efficient way to handle your taxidermy needs.  Most often they will often do a better job than someone who has seen few of the particular animals from our areas. 

We highly recommend Tall Tails Taxidermy Studio, LLC in Burton, NE. They are a "small Full-Time Taxidermy Studio" focused on providing high quality taxidermy within a reasonable time period, averaging six to nine months. They do everything they can to meet your expectations.  Ann and Aimee are very methodical, meticulous, and driven that never settle for second best or "just good enough".  I would trust them with my finest trophy. 

Studio: 402-497-3360
Ann's Cell: 1-402-376-6379
Aimee's Cell: 1-402-382-8696

Web Site: www.talltailstaxidermystudio.com
Note: They use a highly reputable Concierge Shipping Service that ships from there door to your door that is insured, and bonded.

With all this said above, our hunters are telling us it is best "to drive when you can".  They say with a partner and rotating driving, you can get anywhere within the states in a days travel, which is what you are burning up flying anyway, along with renting a car and driving to us.  This way you get to bring all your gear and take everything back and use a meat processor close to home and your own taxidermist.   Our recommendation is to drive if at all possible.  Plus, many say it's nice just to take a day off and do some touring while your deer is being butchered and frozen and then loading the cooler for the ride home.

Most important:  it is a must to plan ahead in this area and determine before the hunt how you want to handle your meat/cape/antler needs. 

 
 
Getting to Stuart and Valentine Nebraska

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We hunt near the towns of Stuart and Valentine Nebraska in North Central Nebraska. 
Note: Our cell phone reception is minimal in these areas.
 

We expect you to drive to us. 
 

When hunting near Stuart Nebraska you can fly into either:

• Omaha Nebraska then rent a vehicle and drive 4 hours

• Sioux City Iowa then rent a vehicle and drive 2 hours 40 minutes

• Sioux Falls South Dakota rent a vehicle and drive 3 hours 20 minutes

When hunting near Valentine Nebraska you can fly into either: 

• North Platte Nebraska then rent a vehicle and drive 2 hours  

• Omaha Nebraska then rent a vehicle and drive 5 hours 20 minutes 

• Rapid City South Dakota then rent a vehicle and drive 3 hours 20 minutes

• Sioux Falls South Dakota then rent a vehicle and drive 4 hours 20 minutes 

• Sioux City Iowa then rent a vehicle and drive 4 hours
  
  *When flying with the airlines you will need to follow regulations for guns and ammunition, ask airlines for information if unsure.

 

You will need to call AJ on his Cell phone 2 hours prior to arrival, he will discuss with you where to meet.

Plan to arrive 12:00 - 3:00pm the day before your hunt start day. After arriving you will unpacked, get hunting gear ready, shoot your gun as needed, hunt orientation and safety brief. Please do not call early in the morning or arrive before scheduled time.

 
Wounded Deer Policy

We take great pride in having almost no unrecoverable wounding's since we have been in business, and ask our hunters show up prepared, so that we can do our best to keep wounding's to a minimum.  

Deer are a precious resource! If an Deer is wounded during your hunt. We will exhaust all of our efforts to find the animal. If the animal is not found, it is still considered yours, and hunt will be ended.  

Deer are a valuable resource that landowner relies upon for financial funds for there operation. It is not fair to the landowners to allow each hunter the opportunity to potentially kill two animals. In this case, a hunter would, in essence, be potentially killing two animals while only paying for one.  Plus, the next hunter loses from having fewer trophy deer to hunt.

NR Outfitters believes in ethical fair chase hunting and strive for clean kills.  This can only be achieved by your utmost practice, and preparation for your hunt. Keeping your head in highly intense situations and walking away or waiting when the shot opportunity is not right. 

It takes a mature whitetail deer hunter to only take shots that they know they can make.  It is a must you come prepared being able to use your weapon accurately and have you and your weapon of choice ready to perform.

 
 
Trip Insurance - Whitetail Deer Hunting

Hunting out of state is expensive, with life being unpredictable, and the unexpected does happen to everyone. NR Outfitters highly recommends buying Travel Guard's Sportsman's Travel Protection Plan Insurance.

You need to make sure it includes cancellation coverage.

This is your responsibility to ensure you are covered and protected.