Sacramento-Wilcox WMA: Premier Waterfowl Staging in the Rainwater Basin

Sacramento-Wilcox WMA covers over 2,500 acres in Phelps County near the town of Wilcox, and it is one of the premier waterfowl staging areas in the entire Rainwater Basin complex. This managed wetland sits in the heart of one of North America's most critical waterfowl migration corridors, and during peak migration it attracts concentrations of ducks and geese that have to be seen to be believed. It also offers deer and pheasant hunting on the surrounding uplands.

The Rainwater Basin Connection

Sacramento-Wilcox WMA is part of the broader Rainwater Basin wetland complex that stretches across south-central Nebraska. The Rainwater Basin basins are clay-bottomed playa wetlands that fill with rainfall and snowmelt, creating temporary and semi-permanent wetlands that migrating waterfowl depend on during their continental journeys. Sacramento-Wilcox is one of the largest and most consistently productive of these basins.

The WMA is actively managed by Nebraska Game and Parks to maximize its value for waterfowl. Water levels are manipulated to create the shallow-water feeding conditions that dabbling ducks prefer, and the surrounding uplands are managed for nesting cover and food production.

Waterfowl Hunting at Sacramento-Wilcox

The waterfowl hunting at Sacramento-Wilcox can be outstanding when conditions align. During fall migration in October and November, tens of thousands of ducks and geese use the basin as a staging area. Fresh cold fronts from the north push new waves of birds into the wetland.

Dabbling ducks — mallards, pintails, gadwall, wigeon, and teal — are the primary species. The shallow wetland edges are perfect for decoy spreads.

Geese — primarily Canadas and white-fronted geese — roost on the larger open-water areas and fly out to feed in surrounding grain fields during the day. Hunt the flight lines between the roost and feeding areas, or set up in the fields with full-body decoys.

Hunting pressure can be significant at Sacramento-Wilcox during peak migration weekends. Hunt weekdays when possible, and have backup basins identified in case your preferred spot is occupied.

Deer and Pheasant Hunting

Whitetail deer use the upland portions of the WMA and the surrounding agricultural land. The grasslands, field edges, and scattered woody cover around the wetland perimeter provide habitat.

The managed grasslands on the upland portions hold pheasants. Phelps County sits in the south-central pheasant belt. A morning pheasant hunt on the uplands followed by an afternoon waterfowl sit on the wetland edge makes for a full day of hunting at Sacramento-Wilcox.

Access and Nearby Towns

Wilcox is a small community with limited services. Holdrege is about 15 miles south and has motels, gas, and restaurants. Kearney is about 30 miles north on I-80 and serves as the regional hub. Check current water conditions before making the drive — in dry years, the basin may not hold enough water to attract large concentrations of birds.

When to Hunt

Waterfowl: mid-October through November for peak migration. Early teal season in September can also be productive. Pheasant: late October through November. Deer: November for the rut. Sacramento-Wilcox WMA is a Rainwater Basin anchor — one of the most reliable and productive wetlands in the entire complex for public land waterfowl hunting in Nebraska.