Father Hupp WMA: hunting, rules and access
Father Hupp WMA is 160 acres of Game and Parks land, centered about 3 miles west of Bruning, in Thayer County and the Republican deer unit. Species listed: dove, pheasant, rabbit, waterfowl.
Data updated October 2026. Game and Parks' 2026-27 Public Access Atlas and property layer; OFW 2026-27.
Game and Parks landOpen Fields and WatersFather Hupp WMAOther WMAsDeer unit lineLakeHighway
| Acres | 160 (Game and Parks); 159 inside the mapped boundary |
|---|---|
| District and atlas sheet | SE, map sheet 38 |
| Species Game and Parks lists | dove, pheasant, rabbit and waterfowl |
| Atlas marks | Nontoxic shot only |
| County | Thayer |
| Deer unit | Republican |
| On Game and Parks' records since | 1990 |
What are the rules on Father Hupp WMA?
The atlas marks it nontoxic shot only.
Source: Game and Parks' 2026-27 Public Access Atlas, area index (PDF page 119).
Which deer unit is Father Hupp WMA in?
The Republican deer unit, 4,977 square miles, with 2,565 deer taken across the whole unit in 2025. The Republican unit has special rules in the Big Game Guide (page 19).
Unit Buck permits for the Republican unit in 2026: Republican 50 (1 AD2, sold out R - July 11, NR - DRAW in 2025) and Republican WT 2,000 (1 WT, sold out Oct. 8 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 Father Hupp WMA?
Within five miles: 557 acres of Game and Parks land (this area included), and no OFW walk-in land. Nearest WMAs: Sora WMA (3 mi), Dry Sandy WMA (4.9 mi) and Sandpiper WMA (11.5 mi).
Close by and named here instead of on a page of its own: Prairie Marsh WMA (73 acres; dove, pheasant, rabbit, waterfowl).
Measured by FilledTag from USGS PAD-US 4.1 and Game and Parks Open Fields and Waters, 2026-2027. County walk-in totals: Thayer County.
How do you get to Father Hupp WMA?
Highways within five miles, longest stretch first: US 81 and N-4.
| Town | Miles from the boundary | Direction from the area |
|---|---|---|
| Bruning | 2 | east |
| Carleton | 4 | southwest |
| Strang | 5 | north |
| Belvidere | 6 | southeast |
| Shickley | 7 | northwest |
Questions hunters ask
What can you hunt on Father Hupp WMA?
Game and Parks lists dove, pheasant, rabbit and waterfowl. Deer follow the permits for the Republican deer unit.
Are there special rules on Father Hupp WMA?
The 2026-27 atlas marks it nontoxic shot only.
Where is Father Hupp WMA?
Its middle is about 3 miles west of Bruning, in Thayer County and the Republican 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.