After an extremely successful first year, the Youth Predator Bounty Program is back for 2026! The program begins on November 18, 2026 for youth under the age of 18. The program is then open to Nebraska residents in Dodge, Colfax, Saunders, Platte, Butler, Seward & Stanton counties from November 18 until February 28, or until the maximum payout of 2,000 pelts is reached.
Species Included: The following primary nest predators: raccoons, badgers, opossums, red fox, coyote & mink, along with muskrat & beaver. Skunks will not be allowed in 2026.
2025 Program Results Slideshow:
Overview
The Grand Passage Sportsmen is focused on reducing localized populations of nest predators as a way to enhance pheasant, duck, & turkey nest success, along with deer fawn survival, while at the same time increasing participation in hunting & trapping from local youth. Hunting & trapping is central to wildlife management, conservation and sustaining our state’s outdoor traditions for the next generation. Year 2 in partnership again with the Big Game Conservation Association.
Primary program goals include:
- Enhance duck, pheasant, & turkey nest success, and deer fawn survival.
- Increase hunting & trapping participation, awareness, and education.
- Get the next generation involved and interested in outdoor recreation, conservation, and wildlife management while increasing awareness of the importance of good habitat for nesting pheasants, waterfowl, & turkey.
Raccoon, badger, opossum, red fox, coyote, mink, muskrat & beaver are the eligible species for this program. Skunks will not be allowed in 2026.
Participation is for Nebraska residents only, residing in the counties of Dodge, Colfax, Saunders, Platte, Butler, Stanton & Seward. As the program grows, we hope to expand the area in future years to continue growing the opportunities for more youth.
Participants will receive $5 per animal for the species outlined above. Participants must submit the fur pelt or the entire animal of these species to receive payment. Participants can submit up to $590 worth of furs per household.
License Requirements:
- Participants 15 and under do not require a license. All other participants 16 and older are required to have a valid fur harvest permit & habitat stamp.
- Participants must comply with Nebraska trapping and hunting rules and regulations, which can be found in the current hunting and trapping handbook or online.
Additional information and requirements:
- All animals submitted for this program must have been harvested (i.e. trapped or shot) in Nebraska between Nov 18 – Feb 28 for youth under 18 only.
- Road kill animals are not eligible.
- Payment will be received upon submission of the furs at designated locations & times:
- Every Wednesday starting November 25 between 5-7pm (or by appointment)
Location: Kroeger Properties
Address: 570 Road 11
Schuyler, NE 68661
(Just south of QC Supply)
- Every Wednesday starting November 25 between 5-7pm (or by appointment)
- Upon fur submission, participants are required to sign a legal affidavit indicating the furs were obtained during the time period outlined above and that they came from an animal they harvested. Participants under the age of 18 will need their parent/legal guardian to sign a legal affidavit on their behalf.
Grand Passage Youth Trap Giveaway:
During the Youth Predator Bounty Program, GPS is giving away a dog-proof raccoon trapping kit to a participating youth under the age of 18.
One weekly winner will be drawn from all furs submitted by youth trappers under the age of 18 during that week.
GPS will be contacting winners each week to inform them they have won and arrange a pick up of the trapping package.
Youth may only win once.
Youth names are only entered once into the drawing regardless of how many furs they submit. Unless drawn, their name will remain in the drawing for a chance to win until the end of the program.
Grand Passage Landowner Participation:
Following the Youth Predator Bounty Program, the Grand Passage Sportsmen will draw two $100 Scheels gift card winners to all participating landowners who let area youth trap or hunt for furs on their private land.
If you are a private landowner interested in helping getting youth involved in this outdoor program, or have a predator or varmint issue on your land, please contact the Grand Passage Sportsmen and we will put you in contact with youth looking for landowner permission to hunt/trap. Please click the button below to contact us or email us direct at gpsportsmen@gmail.com
Sponsorship Opportunity:
If you believe in the mission of the Grand Passage Sportsmen Youth Bounty Program and would like to help, please reach out. Every dollar donated for this program will go into increasing the bounty limit & growing the eligible regions, ultimately increasing the opportunity for more youth and time in the outdoors. Please email us at: gpsportsmen@gmail.com
Current Sponsors for 2026:
We’re deeply grateful to Big Game Conservation Association for standing with us in this effort. Together, we can do more to ensure sustainable wildlife management, build the next generation of conservation stewards, and foster a tradition of respect for habitat and wild places.
http://biggameconservationassociation.com/
