Bessey Ranger District: Hunting the Largest Hand-Planted Forest in America

The Bessey Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey holds a distinction no other hunting area in the country can claim: it is the largest hand-planted forest in the United States. Over 20,000 acres of ponderosa pine, eastern red cedar, and jack pine were planted by hand in the early 1900s on what was pure Sandhills grassland. The result is a one-of-a-kind hunting landscape where planted forest meets native prairie in Thomas County, right in the geographic center of Nebraska.

What Makes Bessey Unique

The planted forest creates an enormous block of timber cover in an otherwise treeless landscape. For wildlife, this is a magnet. Deer, turkey, and grouse that would otherwise have limited cover in the open Sandhills find everything they need in the Bessey district — thermal cover in winter, nesting and fawning cover in spring, and escape cover during hunting season. The edge habitat where forest meets grassland is miles and miles long, creating a massive interface zone that is perfect for hunting.

The forest sits on Sandhills terrain, so the pine plantations climb over dune ridges and dip into valleys. It does not feel like a flat tree farm — the rolling topography combined with the timber creates a complex landscape with endless ambush opportunities.

Deer Hunting at Bessey

Both whitetail and mule deer inhabit the Bessey district. Whitetails favor the denser timber stands and the river bottom areas, while mule deer tend toward the grassland-to-timber edges and the more open pine parks.

The rut in November brings increased deer movement along the forest edges. Bucks travel the transition zone between timber and grass, checking doe groups that bed in the pine stands and feed in the open meadows. Set up a portable stand where a well-worn trail exits timber into a grassland opening and you are in business.

Late-season hunting in December and January can also be productive. Deer concentrate near remaining food sources and use the pine stands heavily for thermal cover during cold snaps. The forest roads get minimal traffic during late season, so pressure drops to nearly zero.

Turkey Hunting

Wild turkey were introduced to the Bessey district and have thrived. The combination of roosting timber, open meadows for strutting, and insect-rich grasslands for brood rearing has created a solid population. Spring gobbler hunting here is a hidden gem — birds roosting in tall pines, gobbling at dawn with the Sandhills stretched out in every direction, and very few other hunters to compete with.

Set up along the forest edges in the pre-dawn dark and let the birds come to you. They typically roost in the taller pines and fly down into the openings to strut. Decoys in a meadow opening at the edge of the timber is a high-percentage play.

Grouse and Upland Birds

Sharp-tailed grouse occupy the grasslands surrounding the forest, and October hunts can produce good numbers for hunters with legs and a bird dog. Work the grass within a half-mile of the forest edge — grouse use the timber for escape cover and the grassland for feeding. Prairie chickens are also present in smaller numbers.

Access and the Town of Halsey

Halsey is a tiny community on Highway 2 between Broken Bow and Thedford. Services are extremely limited — you should arrive fully supplied with fuel, food, and water. The forest headquarters at Bessey provides maps and information. The Scott Lookout Tower, a 100-foot fire tower in the forest, is open to visitors and gives you an incredible panoramic view of the forest and surrounding Sandhills — it is also a great glassing spot.

Forest roads provide vehicle access to many parts of the district, but the interior requires walking. Camping is available at the Bessey Recreation Complex, which has campgrounds and basic facilities.

When to Go

Deer: November for the rut, December through January for late season. Turkey: late April through May. Grouse: October through early November. The Bessey Ranger District offers a hunting experience unlike anything else in Nebraska — a massive planted forest in the middle of the Sandhills, with game, solitude, and a story behind the landscape that is hard to beat.