Calamus Reservoir WMA: hunting, rules and access
Calamus Reservoir WMA is 9,942 acres of Game and Parks land, centered about 9 miles northwest of Burwell, in Loup and Garfield counties and the Calamus West deer unit. Atlas note: Archery and shotgun hunting only in signed areas below dam; seasonal waterfowl blinds allowed.
Data updated October 2026. Game and Parks' 2026-27 Public Access Atlas and property layer; OFW 2026-27.
Game and Parks landBureau of ReclamationState park or recreation areaOther publicOpen Fields and WatersCalamus Reservoir WMAOther WMAsDeer unit lineLakeHighway
| Acres | 9,942 (Game and Parks); 9,939 inside the mapped boundary |
|---|---|
| District and atlas sheet | NE, map sheet 23 & 29 |
| County | Loup and Garfield |
| Deer unit | Calamus West |
| On Game and Parks' records since | 1983 |
What are the rules on Calamus Reservoir WMA?
The 2026-27 atlas: Archery and shotgun hunting only in signed areas below dam; seasonal waterfowl blinds allowed.
Source: Game and Parks' 2026-27 Public Access Atlas, area index (PDF page 117).
Which deer unit is Calamus Reservoir WMA in?
The Calamus West deer unit, 4,202 square miles, with 1,108 deer taken across the whole unit in 2025. The Calamus West unit has special rules in the Big Game Guide (page 19).
Unit Buck permits for the Calamus West unit in 2026: Calamus West 1,400 (1 AD2, sold out R - Nov. 12, 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 Calamus Reservoir WMA?
Within five miles: 5,125 acres of Game and Parks land, 1,026 acres of state park or recreation area, 317 acres of Bureau of Reclamation and 135 acres of other public (this area included), and no OFW walk-in land. Nearest WMAs: Myrtle E. Hall WMA (14.9 mi).
Measured by FilledTag from USGS PAD-US 4.1 and Game and Parks Open Fields and Waters, 2026-2027. County walk-in totals: Garfield County.
How do you get to Calamus Reservoir WMA?
Highways within five miles, longest stretch first: N-96, US 183, N-91 and N-11.
| Town | Miles from the boundary | Direction from the area |
|---|---|---|
| Burwell | 5 | southeast |
| Taylor | 8 | southwest |
| Sargent | 14 | south |
| Elyria | 14 | southeast |
| Comstock | 17 | south |
Questions hunters ask
Are there special rules on Calamus Reservoir WMA?
Yes. The 2026-27 atlas says: Archery and shotgun hunting only in signed areas below dam; seasonal waterfowl blinds allowed.
Where is Calamus Reservoir WMA?
Its middle is about 9 miles northwest of Burwell, in Loup and Garfield counties and the Calamus West deer unit.
How big is Calamus Reservoir WMA?
9,942 acres by Game and Parks' count; 9,939 acres inside the boundary on Game and Parks' map, in 3 pieces.
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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.