Muskrat Run WMA: hunting, rules and access
Muskrat Run WMA is 233 acres of Game and Parks land, centered about 6 miles east of Hershey, in Lincoln County and the Platte deer unit. Atlas note: Camping limited to three consecutive nights in a six-day consecutive period.
Data updated October 2026. Game and Parks' 2026-27 Public Access Atlas and property layer; OFW 2026-27.
Game and Parks landOpen Fields and WatersMuskrat Run WMAOther WMAsDeer unit lineLakeHighway
| Acres | 233 (Game and Parks); 223 inside the mapped boundary |
|---|---|
| District and atlas sheet | SW, map sheet 18 |
| Atlas marks | Nontoxic shot only and no target shooting |
| County | Lincoln |
| Deer unit | Platte |
| On Game and Parks' records since | 1992 |
What are the rules on Muskrat Run WMA?
The 2026-27 atlas: Camping limited to three consecutive nights in a six-day consecutive period. The atlas marks it nontoxic shot only and no target shooting.
Source: Game and Parks' 2026-27 Public Access Atlas, area index (PDF page 124).
Which deer unit is Muskrat Run WMA in?
The Platte deer unit, 5,076 square miles, with 1,423 deer taken across the whole unit in 2025. The Platte unit has special rules in the Big Game Guide (page 19).
Unit Buck permits for the Platte unit in 2026: Platte 700 (1 AD2, sold out DRAW in 2025) and Platte WT 500 (1 WT, sold out Sept. 2 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 Muskrat Run WMA?
Within five miles: 934 acres of Game and Parks land (this area included), and no OFW walk-in land. Nearest WMAs: North River WMA (3.3 mi), East Hershey WMA (4.5 mi) and Hershey WMA (5.5 mi).
Measured by FilledTag from USGS PAD-US 4.1 and Game and Parks Open Fields and Waters, 2026-2027. County walk-in totals: Lincoln County.
How do you get to Muskrat Run WMA?
Highways within five miles, longest stretch first: US 30 and I-80.
| Town | Miles from the boundary | Direction from the area |
|---|---|---|
| Hershey | 6 | west |
| North Platte | 9 | southeast |
| Sutherland | 12 | west |
| Maxwell | 20 | southeast |
| Paxton | 24 | west |
Questions hunters ask
Are there special rules on Muskrat Run WMA?
Yes. The 2026-27 atlas says: Camping limited to three consecutive nights in a six-day consecutive period.
Where is Muskrat Run WMA?
Its middle is about 6 miles east of Hershey, in Lincoln County and the Platte deer unit.
How big is Muskrat Run WMA?
233 acres by Game and Parks' count; 223 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.