Bluestem WMA: hunting, rules and access
Bluestem WMA is 742 acres of Game and Parks land, centered about 3 miles northwest of Sprague, in Lancaster County and the Blue Northwest deer unit. Species listed: deer, pheasant, quail, rabbit, squirrel, turkey, waterfowl. Atlas note: Archery range present
Data updated October 2026. Game and Parks' 2026-27 Public Access Atlas and property layer; OFW 2026-27.
Game and Parks landArmy Corps of EngineersState park or recreation areaOther publicOpen Fields and WatersBluestem WMAOther WMAsDeer unit lineLakeHighway
| Acres | 742 (Game and Parks); 362 inside the mapped boundary |
|---|---|
| District and atlas sheet | SE, map sheet 43 |
| Species Game and Parks lists | deer, pheasant, quail, rabbit, squirrel, turkey and waterfowl |
| Atlas marks | No target shooting |
| County | Lancaster |
| Deer unit | Blue Northwest |
| Facilities Game and Parks maps | parking |
| On Game and Parks' records since | 1964 |
What are the rules on Bluestem WMA?
The 2026-27 atlas: Archery range present The atlas marks it no target shooting.
Source: Game and Parks' 2026-27 Public Access Atlas, area index (PDF page 117).
Which deer unit is Bluestem WMA in?
The Blue Northwest deer unit, 2,834 square miles, with 3,105 deer taken across the whole unit in 2025. No antlerless mule deer here.
Unit Buck permits for the Blue Northwest unit in 2026: Blue Northwest 2,200 (1 AD, sold out Oct. 27 in 2025) (Game and Parks' 2026 Big Game Guide, page 13).
Harvest: Game and Parks' 2026 Big Game Recommendations.
What public and walk-in land is near Bluestem WMA?
Within five miles: 1,311 acres of Game and Parks land, 620 acres of other public and 570 acres of Army Corps of Engineers (this area included), and no OFW walk-in land. Nearest WMAs: Killdeer WMA (2.3 mi), Olive Creek WMA (3.4 mi) and Yankee Hill WMA (4.1 mi).
Measured by FilledTag from USGS PAD-US 4.1 and Game and Parks Open Fields and Waters, 2026-2027. County walk-in totals: Lancaster County.
How do you get to Bluestem WMA?
Highways within five miles, longest stretch first: US 77 and N-33.
| Town | Miles from the boundary | Direction from the area |
|---|---|---|
| Sprague | 2 | southeast |
| Denton | 6 | north |
| Roca | 7 | east |
| Hallam | 7 | south |
| Crete | 7 | west |
Questions hunters ask
What can you hunt on Bluestem WMA?
Game and Parks lists deer, pheasant, quail, rabbit, squirrel, turkey and waterfowl. Deer follow the permits for the Blue Northwest deer unit.
Are there special rules on Bluestem WMA?
Yes. The 2026-27 atlas says: Archery range present
Where is Bluestem WMA?
Its middle is about 3 miles northwest of Sprague, in Lancaster County and the Blue Northwest deer unit.
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Sources: Game and Parks' 2026-27 Public Access Atlas; Game and Parks properties (WMAs, recreation areas, parks); USGS PAD-US 4.1; Game and Parks Open Fields and Waters, 2026-2027; Game and Parks' 2026 Big Game Recommendations. General WMA rules: all WMAs. FilledTag is not part of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.