Fred Thomas WMA: hunting, rules and access
Fred Thomas WMA is 218 acres of Game and Parks land, centered about 10 miles north of Bassett, in Rock County and the Keya Paha deer unit. Atlas note: Lookout platform over Niobrara River.
Data updated October 2026. Game and Parks' 2026-27 Public Access Atlas and property layer; OFW 2026-27.
Game and Parks landOpen Fields and WatersFred Thomas WMAOther WMAsDeer unit lineLakeHighway
| Acres | 218 (Game and Parks); 203 inside the mapped boundary |
|---|---|
| District and atlas sheet | NE, map sheet 21 |
| County | Rock |
| Deer unit | Keya Paha |
| On Game and Parks' records since | 2000 |
What are the rules on Fred Thomas WMA?
The 2026-27 atlas: Lookout platform over Niobrara River.
Source: Game and Parks' 2026-27 Public Access Atlas, area index (PDF page 120).
Which deer unit is Fred Thomas WMA in?
The Keya Paha deer unit, 2,730 square miles, with 1,859 deer taken across the whole unit in 2025. No antlerless mule deer here.
Unit Buck permits for the Keya Paha unit in 2026: Keya Paha 1,800 (1 AD2, sold out Nov. 16 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 Fred Thomas WMA?
Within five miles: 325 acres of Game and Parks land (this area included), and no OFW walk-in land. Nearest WMAs: Thomas Creek WMA (4.6 mi), Pine Glen WMA (5.3 mi) and Keller WMA (10 mi).
Measured by FilledTag from USGS PAD-US 4.1 and Game and Parks Open Fields and Waters, 2026-2027. County walk-in totals: Rock County.
How do you get to Fred Thomas WMA?
Highways within five miles, longest stretch first: N-7.
| Town | Miles from the boundary | Direction from the area |
|---|---|---|
| Bassett | 9 | south |
| Springview | 11 | northwest |
| Burton | 13 | north |
| Long Pine | 14 | southwest |
| Newport | 15 | southeast |
Questions hunters ask
Are there special rules on Fred Thomas WMA?
Yes. The 2026-27 atlas says: Lookout platform over Niobrara River.
Where is Fred Thomas WMA?
Its middle is about 10 miles north of Bassett, in Rock County and the Keya Paha deer unit.
How big is Fred Thomas WMA?
218 acres by Game and Parks' count; 203 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.