Burchard WMA: hunting, rules and access
Burchard WMA is 560 acres of Game and Parks land, centered about 3 miles northeast of Burchard, in Pawnee County and the Blue Southeast deer unit.
Data updated October 2026. Game and Parks' 2026-27 Public Access Atlas and property layer; OFW 2026-27.
Game and Parks landOpen Fields and WatersBurchard WMAOther WMAsDeer unit lineLakeHighway
| Acres | 560 (Game and Parks); 558 inside the mapped boundary |
|---|---|
| District and atlas sheet | SE, map sheet 44 |
| Atlas marks | No target shooting |
| County | Pawnee |
| Deer unit | Blue Southeast |
| On Game and Parks' records since | 1958 |
What are the rules on Burchard WMA?
The 2026-27 atlas: Hunting or carrying firearms prohibited. Posted sanctuary closed to all access from Oct. 15 through Jan. 14; fishing from bank or ice fishing on lake surface is permitted throughout the year. Camping is only allowed in designated area. Prairie chicken viewing blinds present on area. 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 Burchard WMA in?
The Blue Southeast deer unit, 3,283 square miles, with 4,558 deer taken across the whole unit in 2025. No antlerless mule deer here.
Unit Buck permits for the Blue Southeast unit in 2026: Blue Southeast 3,500 (1 AD, sold out Oct. 28 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 Burchard WMA?
Within five miles: 1,083 acres of Game and Parks land (this area included), and 120 acres of OFW walk-in land on 1 tract. The biggest walk-in tracts reaching into that ring: 118 acres 2.6 miles northeast (CRP). Nearest WMAs: Bowwood WMA (2.5 mi), Mayberry WMA (3.1 mi) and Pawnee Prairie WMA (8.1 mi).
Measured by FilledTag from USGS PAD-US 4.1 and Game and Parks Open Fields and Waters, 2026-2027. County walk-in totals: Pawnee County.
How do you get to Burchard WMA?
Highways within five miles, longest stretch first: N-4, N-8 and N-99.
| Town | Miles from the boundary | Direction from the area |
|---|---|---|
| Burchard | 2 | southwest |
| Steinauer | 4 | northeast |
| Lewiston | 7 | northwest |
| Pawnee City | 8 | southeast |
| Liberty | 10 | southwest |
Questions hunters ask
Are there special rules on Burchard WMA?
Yes. The 2026-27 atlas says: Hunting or carrying firearms prohibited. Posted sanctuary closed to all access from Oct. 15 through Jan. 14; fishing from bank or ice fishing on lake surface is permitted throughout the year. Camping is only allowed in designated area. Prairie chicken viewing blinds present on area.
Where is Burchard WMA?
Its middle is about 3 miles northeast of Burchard, in Pawnee County and the Blue Southeast deer unit.
How big is Burchard WMA?
560 acres by Game and Parks' count; 558 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.