Thomas Creek WMA: hunting, rules and access
Thomas Creek WMA is 1,155 acres of Game and Parks land, centered about 5 miles southeast of Springview, in Keya Paha County and the Keya Paha deer unit.
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 Creek WMAOther WMAsDeer unit lineLakeHighway
| Acres | 1,155 (Game and Parks); 1,138 inside the mapped boundary |
|---|---|
| District and atlas sheet | NE, map sheet 21 |
| County | Keya Paha |
| Deer unit | Keya Paha |
| On Game and Parks' records since | 1992 |
Which deer unit is Thomas Creek 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 Thomas Creek WMA?
Within five miles: 1,281 acres of Game and Parks land (this area included), and no OFW walk-in land. Nearest WMAs: Fred Thomas WMA (4.6 mi), Pine Glen WMA (5 mi) and Keller WMA (7.4 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 Thomas Creek WMA?
Highways within five miles, longest stretch first: N-7, US 183 and N-12.
| Town | Miles from the boundary | Direction from the area |
|---|---|---|
| Springview | 4 | northwest |
| Burton | 11 | northeast |
| Bassett | 14 | southeast |
| Long Pine | 15 | south |
| Ainsworth | 17 | southwest |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Thomas Creek WMA?
Its middle is about 5 miles southeast of Springview, in Keya Paha County and the Keya Paha deer unit.
How big is Thomas Creek WMA?
1,155 acres by Game and Parks' count; 1,138 acres inside the boundary on Game and Parks' map, in 2 pieces.
Is there walk-in land near Thomas Creek WMA?
Not within five miles on Game and Parks' 2026-27 OFW 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.