Loup Bottoms WMA: hunting, rules and access
Loup Bottoms WMA is 87 acres of Game and Parks land, centered just northeast of Cotesfield, in Howard County and the Loup East deer unit. Atlas note: ¼ mile of North Loup River access.
Data updated October 2026. Game and Parks' 2026-27 Public Access Atlas and property layer; OFW 2026-27.
Game and Parks landOpen Fields and WatersLoup Bottoms WMAOther WMAsDeer unit lineLakeHighway
| Acres | 87 (Game and Parks); 85 inside the mapped boundary |
|---|---|
| District and atlas sheet | SW, map sheet 30 |
| County | Howard |
| Deer unit | Loup East |
| On Game and Parks' records since | 1997 |
What are the rules on Loup Bottoms WMA?
The 2026-27 atlas: ¼ mile of North Loup River access.
Source: Game and Parks' 2026-27 Public Access Atlas, area index (PDF page 123).
Which deer unit is Loup Bottoms WMA in?
The Loup East deer unit, 3,352 square miles, with 2,351 deer taken across the whole unit in 2025. No antlerless mule deer here.
Unit Buck permits for the Loup East unit in 2026: Loup East 2,700 (1 AD2, sold out Nov. 12 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 Loup Bottoms WMA?
Within five miles: 85 acres of Game and Parks land (this area included), and no OFW walk-in land. Nearest WMAs: Davis Creek WMA (6.1 mi), Marsh Wren WMA (7.6 mi) and Leonard A. Koziol WMA (11.7 mi).
Measured by FilledTag from USGS PAD-US 4.1 and Game and Parks Open Fields and Waters, 2026-2027.
How do you get to Loup Bottoms WMA?
Highways within five miles, longest stretch first: N-11.
| Town | Miles from the boundary | Direction from the area |
|---|---|---|
| Cotesfield | under 1 | southwest |
| Elba | 6 | southeast |
| Scotia | 8 | northwest |
| Farwell | 10 | south |
| Wolbach | 12 | east |
Questions hunters ask
Are there special rules on Loup Bottoms WMA?
Yes. The 2026-27 atlas says: ¼ mile of North Loup River access.
Where is Loup Bottoms WMA?
Its middle is just northeast of Cotesfield, in Howard County and the Loup East deer unit.
How big is Loup Bottoms WMA?
87 acres by Game and Parks' count; 85 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.