Branched Oak WMA: hunting, rules and access
Branched Oak WMA is 2,866 acres of Game and Parks land, centered about 4 miles northwest of Malcolm, in Lancaster County and the Wahoo deer unit. Species listed: deer, pheasant, quail, rabbit, turkey, waterfowl.
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 WatersBranched Oak WMAOther WMAsDeer unit lineLakeHighway
| Acres | 2,866 (Game and Parks); 2,868 inside the mapped boundary |
|---|---|
| District and atlas sheet | SE, map sheet 42 & 43 |
| Species Game and Parks lists | deer, pheasant, quail, rabbit, turkey and waterfowl |
| County | Lancaster |
| Deer unit | Wahoo |
| On Game and Parks' records since | 1970 |
What are the rules on Branched Oak WMA?
The 2026-27 atlas: Target shooting prohibited on emergency spillway, north of W. Davey/Rock Creek Road between NW 98th and western WMA boundary, and south of W. Raymond Road between NW 112th and NW 126th. Target shooting prohibited on dog trial area from Feb. 15-May 31 and Aug. 15-Oct. 31. Camping limited to three days in six-day consecutive period.
Source: Game and Parks' 2026-27 Public Access Atlas, area index (PDF page 117).
Which deer unit is Branched Oak WMA in?
The Wahoo deer unit, 4,144 square miles, with 4,544 deer taken across the whole unit in 2025. No antlerless mule deer here.
Unit Buck permits for the Wahoo unit in 2026: Wahoo 3,000 (1 AD, sold out Nov. 5 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 Branched Oak WMA?
Within five miles: 4,805 acres of Game and Parks land, 1,355 acres of Army Corps of Engineers and 348 acres of other public (this area included), and 960 acres of OFW walk-in land on 6 tracts. The biggest walk-in tracts reaching into that ring: 316 acres 3 miles north (All Hunting Seasons and Trapping), 238 acres next to it on the northeast side (CRP), 153 acres 2.8 miles north (CRP) and 142 acres 3 miles northwest (CRP). Nearest WMAs: Wildwood WMA (2.4 mi), Oak Glen WMA (2.9 mi) and Larkspur WMA (5.2 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 Branched Oak WMA?
Highways within five miles, longest stretch first: N-79, US 34 and N-66.
| Town | Miles from the boundary | Direction from the area |
|---|---|---|
| Malcolm | 3 | southeast |
| Raymond | 3 | east |
| Garland | 4 | west |
| Valparaiso | 6 | northeast |
| Bee | 7 | west |
Questions hunters ask
What can you hunt on Branched Oak WMA?
Game and Parks lists deer, pheasant, quail, rabbit, turkey and waterfowl. Deer follow the permits for the Wahoo deer unit.
Are there special rules on Branched Oak WMA?
Yes. The 2026-27 atlas says: Target shooting prohibited on emergency spillway, north of W. Davey/Rock Creek Road between NW 98th and western WMA boundary, and south of W. Raymond Road between NW 112th and NW 126th. Target shooting prohibited on dog trial area from Feb. 15-May 31 and Aug. 15-Oct. 31. Camping limited to three days in six-day consecutive period.
Where is Branched Oak WMA?
Its middle is about 4 miles northwest of Malcolm, in Lancaster County and the Wahoo 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.