Oglala National Grassland: 94,000 Acres of Nebraska Public Hunting

If you want to experience big-country western hunting without leaving Nebraska, the Oglala National Grassland delivers. Spanning over 94,000 acres across Dawes and Sioux counties in the extreme northwest corner of the state, this is the largest single block of publicly accessible hunting land in Nebraska. The landscape looks more like South Dakota's badlands than anything most people associate with the Cornhusker State — and the hunting matches the scenery.

The Oglala Grassland Landscape

The Oglala National Grassland is a patchwork of mixed-grass prairie, eroded badlands formations, scattered ponderosa pine, and creek drainages. Toadstool Geologic Park sits within its boundaries, giving you an idea of just how rugged and otherworldly the terrain can get. The grassland is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and is open to public hunting under Nebraska state regulations.

The sheer size of this area cannot be overstated. Ninety-four thousand acres is roughly 147 square miles. You can hunt for days and never see another person. That kind of solitude is increasingly rare on public land anywhere in the country.

What You Can Hunt on the Oglala

Mule deer are the marquee species here. The badlands breaks, creek draws, and pine pockets create classic mule deer habitat. Bucks bed in the rough country during the day and move to the flatter grasslands to feed in the evening. A spot-and-stalk approach works well — find a high point, glass the draws and breaks at first and last light, and plan your move.

Pronghorn are common across the open grassland flats. Nebraska offers over-the-counter archery pronghorn tags, and the Oglala is one of the best public land spots in the state to fill one. Rifle pronghorn tags require a draw but success rates are high for hunters who put in the time.

Sharp-tailed grouse thrive in the mixed-grass prairie here. October walks across the grassland with a pointing dog can produce excellent shooting. The birds hold tight in the thicker grass near drainage edges. Prairie chickens are also present in smaller numbers.

Access and Navigation

The Oglala National Grassland is a checkerboard of federal and private land. Not every section is open to the public, so you need a current map before heading out. The Nebraska Public Access Atlas from Game and Parks is essential, and the U.S. Forest Service provides maps showing which sections are National Grassland. A GPS unit or mapping app with land ownership layers is highly recommended — walking onto private land by mistake is easy in this type of terrain where fences are sparse.

Crawford, Nebraska is the nearest town and sits on the eastern edge of the grassland. It has basic supplies, gas, and a few places to eat. For more options, Chadron is about 25 miles east and Harrison is to the west.

Hunting Strategy Tips for the Oglala

For mule deer, focus on the interface between badlands breaks and grassland flats. Bucks use the broken terrain for cover and the grass for food. Morning hunts should start with glassing from high points. Afternoon hunts are best spent sitting near water sources or trails leading from rough country to feeding areas.

For pronghorn, long-range glassing is the name of the game. Find herds at distance, study the terrain for stalking routes using draws and ridgelines as cover, and be patient. Pronghorn have the best eyesight of any North American game animal.

Water is limited, especially during dry years. Any stock pond, windmill, or creek with flowing water becomes a magnet for game. Hunt near water and you will see animals.

When to Plan Your Trip

Archery deer and pronghorn seasons open September 1. The November rifle season brings the best mule deer action, especially during the rut in the second and third weeks. Sharptail grouse season opens in September and runs through January, with October being the prime month for walking up birds.

The Oglala National Grassland is big, wild, and empty. For hunters who want a western-style experience on public land in Nebraska, there is nothing else like it in the state.