Buffalo Creek WMA: hunting, rules and access
Buffalo Creek WMA is 3,979 acres of Game and Parks land, centered about 7 miles southwest of Melbeta, in Banner and Scotts Bluff counties and the Upper Platte deer unit.
Data updated October 2026. Game and Parks' 2026-27 Public Access Atlas and property layer; OFW 2026-27.
Game and Parks landOther publicOpen Fields and WatersBuffalo Creek WMAOther WMAsDeer unit lineLakeHighway
| Acres | 3,979 (Game and Parks); 4,001 inside the mapped boundary |
|---|---|
| District and atlas sheet | NW, map sheet 3 |
| Atlas marks | No target shooting |
| County | Banner and Scotts Bluff |
| Deer unit | Upper Platte |
| On Game and Parks' records since | 2000 |
What are the rules on Buffalo Creek WMA?
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 Buffalo Creek WMA in?
The Upper Platte deer unit, 4,406 square miles, with 930 deer taken across the whole unit in 2025. No antlerless mule deer here.
Unit Buck permits for the Upper Platte unit in 2026: Upper Platte 800 (1 AD2, sold out R - Sept. 21, NR - DRAW 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 Buffalo Creek WMA?
Within five miles: 6,779 acres of Game and Parks land and 2,975 acres of other public (this area included), and 9,560 acres of OFW walk-in land on 13 tracts. The biggest walk-in tracts reaching into that ring: 1,967 acres 2.2 miles west (All Hunting Seasons and Trapping), 1,600 acres next to it on the northwest side (Special Regulations), 1,477 acres next to it on the north side (All Hunting Seasons and Trapping) and 1,234 acres next to it on the northeast side (All Hunting Seasons and Trapping). Nearest WMAs: Williams Gap WMA (2.8 mi), Cedar Canyon WMA (7.7 mi) and Chet and Jane Fliesbach WMA (13.8 mi).
Measured by FilledTag from USGS PAD-US 4.1 and Game and Parks Open Fields and Waters, 2026-2027. County walk-in totals: Banner County.
How do you get to Buffalo Creek WMA?
Highways within five miles, longest stretch first: N-71 and N-88.
| Town | Miles from the boundary | Direction from the area |
|---|---|---|
| Melbeta | 5 | northeast |
| McGrew | 7 | east |
| Minatare | 7 | northeast |
| Gering | 8 | north |
| Terrytown | 10 | north |
Questions hunters ask
Are there special rules on Buffalo Creek WMA?
The 2026-27 atlas marks it no target shooting.
Where is Buffalo Creek WMA?
Its middle is about 7 miles southwest of Melbeta, in Banner and Scotts Bluff counties and the Upper Platte deer unit.
How big is Buffalo Creek WMA?
3,979 acres by Game and Parks' count; 4,001 acres inside the boundary on Game and Parks' map.
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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.