Flathead WMA: hunting, rules and access
Flathead WMA is 259 acres of Game and Parks land, centered about 2 miles south of Fairbury, in Jefferson County and the Blue Southeast deer unit. Species listed: deer, dove, quail, rabbit, squirrel, turkey, waterfowl. Atlas note: Archery, muzzleloader, and shotgun hunting only.
Data updated October 2026. Game and Parks' 2026-27 Public Access Atlas and property layer; OFW 2026-27.
Game and Parks landOpen Fields and WatersFlathead WMAOther WMAsDeer unit lineLakeHighway
| Acres | 259 (Game and Parks); 255 inside the mapped boundary |
|---|---|
| District and atlas sheet | SE, map sheet 44 |
| Species Game and Parks lists | deer, dove, quail, rabbit, squirrel, turkey and waterfowl |
| County | Jefferson |
| Deer unit | Blue Southeast |
| On Game and Parks' records since | 2001 |
What are the rules on Flathead WMA?
The 2026-27 atlas: Archery, muzzleloader, and shotgun hunting only.
Source: Game and Parks' 2026-27 Public Access Atlas, area index (PDF page 119).
Which deer unit is Flathead 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 Flathead WMA?
Within five miles: 914 acres of Game and Parks land (this area included), and 494 acres of OFW walk-in land on 3 tracts. The biggest walk-in tracts reaching into that ring: 195 acres 3.9 miles west (CRP), 139 acres 2.2 miles northwest (All Hunting Seasons and Trapping), 120 acres 4.6 miles east (All Huntings Seasons, Trapping and Fishing (Waters)) and 113 acres 5 miles southwest (CRP). Nearest WMAs: Rose Creek WMA (2.7 mi), Rock Glen WMA (5.4 mi) and Alexandria WMA (10.5 mi).
Measured by FilledTag from USGS PAD-US 4.1 and Game and Parks Open Fields and Waters, 2026-2027. County walk-in totals: Jefferson County.
How do you get to Flathead WMA?
Highways within five miles, longest stretch first: N-8, N-15 and US 136.
| Town | Miles from the boundary | Direction from the area |
|---|---|---|
| Fairbury | under 1 | north |
| Endicott | 5 | southeast |
| Jansen | 6 | northeast |
| Reynolds | 9 | southwest |
| Steele City | 10 | southeast |
Questions hunters ask
What can you hunt on Flathead WMA?
Game and Parks lists deer, dove, quail, rabbit, squirrel, turkey and waterfowl. Deer follow the permits for the Blue Southeast deer unit.
Are there special rules on Flathead WMA?
Yes. The 2026-27 atlas says: Archery, muzzleloader, and shotgun hunting only.
Where is Flathead WMA?
Its middle is about 2 miles south of Fairbury, in Jefferson County and the Blue Southeast 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.