Marsh Wren WMA: hunting, rules and access
Marsh Wren WMA is 153 acres of Game and Parks land, centered about 3 miles southeast of Elba, in Howard County and the Loup East deer unit. Atlas note: ¾ 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 WatersMarsh Wren WMAOther WMAsDeer unit lineLakeHighway
| Acres | 153 (Game and Parks); 153 inside the mapped boundary |
|---|---|
| District and atlas sheet | SW, map sheet 30 |
| Atlas marks | Nontoxic shot only |
| County | Howard |
| Deer unit | Loup East |
| On Game and Parks' records since | 1997 |
What are the rules on Marsh Wren WMA?
The 2026-27 atlas: ¾ mile of North Loup River access. The atlas marks it nontoxic shot only.
Source: Game and Parks' 2026-27 Public Access Atlas, area index (PDF page 123).
Which deer unit is Marsh Wren 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 Marsh Wren WMA?
Within five miles: 285 acres of Game and Parks land (this area included), and no OFW walk-in land. Nearest WMAs: Leonard A. Koziol WMA (4.7 mi), Loup Bottoms WMA (7.6 mi) and Harold W. Andersen WMA (8 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 Marsh Wren WMA?
Highways within five miles, longest stretch first: N-11, N-92 and US 281.
| Town | Miles from the boundary | Direction from the area |
|---|---|---|
| Elba | 2 | northwest |
| St. Paul | 4 | southeast |
| Farwell | 6 | southwest |
| Cushing | 8 | east |
| Cotesfield | 8 | northwest |
Questions hunters ask
Are there special rules on Marsh Wren WMA?
Yes. The 2026-27 atlas says: ¾ mile of North Loup River access.
Where is Marsh Wren WMA?
Its middle is about 3 miles southeast of Elba, in Howard County and the Loup East deer unit.
How big is Marsh Wren WMA?
153 acres by Game and Parks' count; 153 acres inside the boundary on Game and Parks' map, in 2 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.