Thomas C. Matter WMA: hunting, rules and access
Thomas C. Matter WMA is 145 acres of Game and Parks land, centered about 2 miles southwest of Salem, in Richardson County and the Blue Southeast deer unit. Species listed: deer, dove, pheasant, quail, rabbit, squirrel, turkey.
Data updated October 2026. Game and Parks' 2026-27 Public Access Atlas and property layer; OFW 2026-27.
Game and Parks landOpen Fields and WatersThomas C. Matter WMAOther WMAsDeer unit lineLakeHighway
| Acres | 145 (Game and Parks); 148 inside the mapped boundary |
|---|---|
| District and atlas sheet | SE, map sheet 49 |
| Species Game and Parks lists | deer, dove, pheasant, quail, rabbit, squirrel and turkey |
| County | Richardson |
| Deer unit | Blue Southeast |
| On Game and Parks' records since | 2018 |
Which deer unit is Thomas C. Matter 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 Thomas C. Matter WMA?
Within five miles: 156 acres of Game and Parks land (this area included), and 1,432 acres of OFW walk-in land on 9 tracts. The biggest walk-in tracts reaching into that ring: 510 acres 3.4 miles southwest (All Hunting Seasons and Trapping), 187 acres 2 miles west (CRP), 159 acres 2.3 miles west (CRP) and 132 acres 2.5 miles west (All Hunting Seasons and Trapping). Nearest WMAs: South Fork WMA (6.8 mi), Four-Mile Creek WMA (8.8 mi) and Kinter's Ford WMA (11.9 mi).
Measured by FilledTag from USGS PAD-US 4.1 and Game and Parks Open Fields and Waters, 2026-2027. County walk-in totals: Richardson County.
How do you get to Thomas C. Matter WMA?
Highways within five miles, longest stretch first: N-8 and US 75.
| Town | Miles from the boundary | Direction from the area |
|---|---|---|
| Salem | 2 | northeast |
| Dawson | 6 | northwest |
| Verdon | 7 | north |
| Falls City | 8 | east |
| Stella | 12 | north |
Questions hunters ask
What can you hunt on Thomas C. Matter WMA?
Game and Parks lists deer, dove, pheasant, quail, rabbit, squirrel and turkey. Deer follow the permits for the Blue Southeast deer unit.
Where is Thomas C. Matter WMA?
Its middle is about 2 miles southwest of Salem, in Richardson County and the Blue Southeast deer unit.
How big is Thomas C. Matter WMA?
145 acres by Game and Parks' count; 148 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.