Rail Hunting

Season Dates:
Sept.1 - Nov. 9
Daily Bag Limit: 10
Possession Bag Limit: 20

Open Area: Statewide

Legal Methods of Take:

• Shotgun (10 gauge or smaller. Must be plugged to limit shell capacity to no more than three shells in the magazine and chamber combined.)
• Bow and Arrow
• Crossbow

Shooting Hours:
30 minutes before sunrise to sunset

Requirements

Description:
Two types of rail can be hunted in Nebraska, the Virginia and Sora rail.

Virginia Rail breeds in upland freshwater marshes and coastal salt marshes; most winter coastally in fresh and saltwater environments. Like other long-billed rails, it flies often and regularly walks around in the open. To avoid predators, this species may dive and swim underwater propelled by its wings.

Sora Rail is a small, adaptable crake that nests from grassy-edged tundra ponds to prairie sloughs to marshes of the southern Great Basin and many winter in marshes in the South. Sora are often seen visiting marsh edges to feed, preen, bathe, or sun. Like most rails, it appears to fly weakly when flushed. In fact, it is a fast, powerful flier.