Top 5 Public Land Spots in Nebraska

Nebraska is home to over 250 Wildlife Management Areas and more than 1.2 million acres of publicly accessible land. Best of all, access to WMAs is free — no entry permit required. Whether you're chasing whitetails in the river bottoms or flushing roosters in the CRP, there's a spot for you. Here are five of our favorites.

1. Clear Creek WMA — Keith County

Spanning over 3,200 acres near Lake McConaughy, Clear Creek is one of the largest and most diverse WMAs in the state. The mix of riparian woodlands, wetlands, river channel, and upland grasslands makes it a destination for whitetail, mule deer, turkey, pheasant, and dove. The sheer size means you can get away from other hunters — work the timber edges along the creek bottoms for late-season whitetails, or push the grasslands for roosters.

2. Rock Glen WMA — Jefferson County

Located about six miles east and two miles south of Fairbury in southeast Nebraska, Rock Glen covers 707 acres of virgin and restored prairie mixed with wood-studded ravines. The terrain is rolling and varied, with thick timber draws that hold whitetails year-round. The area is also managed with food plots, making it a solid option for archery hunters willing to hang a portable stand. Turkey numbers are strong here too, especially in the spring.

3. Flathead WMA — Jefferson County

Just one mile south of Fairbury along the Little Blue River, Flathead's 250 acres of heavily wooded bottomland is a sleeper spot. The thick timber and river corridor funnel deer movement, and the proximity to agricultural fields means there's always food nearby. It's small enough that most hunters overlook it — which is exactly why it can produce. Primitive camping is allowed, so you can set up the night before and be in your stand at first light.

4. Bordeaux Creek WMA — Dawes County

One of the newest additions to the WMA system, Bordeaux Creek covers 1,915 acres just east of Chadron on Highway 20 in the Pine Ridge. This is big, rugged country — ponderosa pine ridges, deep creek draws, and open meadows. Whitetail and mule deer share the habitat here, and the area holds solid turkey populations. The Pine Ridge is one of Nebraska's most scenic hunting destinations, and Bordeaux Creek gives you public access right in the heart of it.

5. Valentine National Wildlife Refuge & McKelvie National Forest — Cherry County

The Valentine area in the central Sandhills is a public land paradise. Between the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, McKelvie National Forest, and Fort Niobrara, there are over 200,000 acres of public land to explore. The Sandhills produce some of Nebraska's biggest whitetails — the rolling grass-covered dunes, cedar-lined valleys, and scattered wetlands create ideal habitat. Mule deer are common here too, and the upland bird hunting for sharptail grouse and prairie chickens is some of the best in the country.

Pro Tips for Nebraska Public Land

Before you go, download the Nebraska Game and Parks Public Access Atlas — it consolidates every WMA, national forest, and privately enrolled Open Fields and Waters parcel onto one interactive map. Plan your access routes ahead of time, and remember: portable tree stands can only be used on WMAs between August 15 and January 31. Most importantly, get off the beaten path. Nebraska's public land gets a fraction of the pressure that neighboring states see, and there are big deer out there waiting for hunters willing to put in the work.