Who is allowed to mentor a youth using PATH lands?

Anyone age 18 or older who would like to take a youth out and pass on their enthusiasm for the outdoors and hunting. Only the youth may hunt or fish on PATH lands. The mentor is there to help the youth and provide a good hunting experience for them.

How many youth hunters can accompany a mentor?

Mentors can accompany a maximum of two (2) youth per day on PATH lands. Bringing another sibling or close friend along helps encourage lifelong social connections, while still maintaining a safe hunting or fishing experience.

How do I obtain a permission slip to reserve PATH lands?

There are four steps to utilize the PATH program.

1. Visit the PATH website https://apps.outdoornebraska.gov/Path.
2. Click “Log In / Register” to create or login to your user account. Here you will enter basic information about yourself as well as the youth you will be mentoring (will need full name/birthdate for each youth participant).
3. Click “View Land” to locate PATH properties in your area. Once a property is selected, click “Check Availability” to view available dates.
4. Reserve your date by simply clicking on the date. Follow screen prompts to indicate which youth(s) will be accompanying you and what you plan to pursue (e.g., big game, upland birds, fishing, etc.) and then you will be able to view your land access permission form. This form must by printed off, signed, and carried with you while you are accessing the property. The youth’s guardian, if not the mentor, must also sign the permission slip for it to be valid.

What are the rules on reserving PATH lands?

Mentors may have a maximum of five reservations during each program year (August 1 – July 31). This may be five times on one site, one time each on five separate sites or any such combination. Making more than five reservations during a program year will void all reservations. PATH sites can be reserved starting on August 1st each year.

Why aren’t there PATH sites available in my area?

To facilitate mentored youth hunting or fishing opportunities, the PATH program is only offered near our state’s population centers and/or on specific sites where reservation-based access is necessary to facilitate youth hunting or fishing opportunities. It is our hope to continue and expand this program in future years. For advice on places to take youth or novice hunters, contact your nearest Game and Parks district office or service center.

Why aren’t there more dates available for PATH sites?

Landowners that enroll their land into PATH are allowed to specify which dates their property(s) are available for youth hunting or fishing. If dates are not displayed on the website, they are either not available or have already been reserved by other PATH participants.

Can the mentor hunt or fish also?

No. This program is designed to provide the best and safest hunting or fishing opportunity for the youth. A mentor that is not hunting or fishing will pay more attention to the safety of the youth and will be more concentrated on providing a quality experience that will result in a lifelong outdoor enthusiast.

Do I have to register the youth also?

Yes. During the initial registration process, the mentor is required to enter basic information about each youth participant they will be accompanying. This allows NGPC to quantify use of PATH sites and evaluate the program. Multiple youth (no limit) can be entered on your account and additional youth can be added later by editing your account. When you reserve a PATH site, you will be prompted to indicate which youth listed on your account will be accompanying you on that specific date – and their name(s) will be auto-populated on your permission slip. Only youth listed on the permission slip are allowed to hunt or fish on PATH sites. The youth’s guardian, if not the mentor, must also sign the permission slip for it to be valid..

Can someone else come along (i.e., non-hunting observer)?

In addition to the mentor and youth(s) you can also bring one other person of any age. This is so the event can be shared by others who may not have had the opportunity themselves and allows an extra person to capture the day on film if desired.

Why are there different restrictions for different sites?

This program was designed to bring together landowners who were open to youth hunting or fishing on their property, youth looking for a place to start building their outdoor skills, and mentors willing to help the youth build these skills. In order to accommodate landowner needs, special restrictions (e.g., which game species can be pursued, weapons allowed, etc.) are allowed on the properties. These restrictions are listed in the site description and on the permission slip.

Are hunting dogs allowed?

Unless specified in the special restrictions for the site normal use of hunting dogs is allowed.

Are other activities allowed on PATH sites?

No. NGPC’s agreements with private landowners enrolled in PATH are specifically for youth hunting or fishing only. All other activities (e.g., camping, target shooting, horseback riding, etc.) are strictly prohibited on PATH sites. Hunters should be aware that disregarding rules not only holds legal ramifications but may also lead to landowner withdrawal from the program.

How can landowners get involved?

If you’re a landowner and you want more information about PATH, Click here or contact your nearest Game and Parks Regional Office for details.