DMU Frenchman, Nebraska

Rolling short-grass and mixed-grass prairie, agricultural fields (corn, wheat, sorghum), CRP ground, and wooded riparian corridors along the Republican River, Frenchman Creek, and their tributaries. Southwestern Nebraska — Chase, Dundy, Hitchcock, and Furnas counties. Elevation is relatively flat to gently rolling, transitioning from High Plains tableland into creek and river drainages.

High. The Frenchman unit is one of Nebraska's most sought-after deer DMUs. Hunter demand for mule deer permits consistently exceeds permit availability, and the unit is allocated via lottery draw. Firearm season in mid-November sees concentrated pressure. Archery and muzzleloader hunters willing to scout private ground experience comparatively lower competition. Unit regularly appears in Boone and Crockett and Pope and Young entries.

Frenchman Any Deer (firearm) permits are lottery-only draw — application window is November through December for the following season, $15 application fee, pure preference point system (points lost upon drawing). Firearm season: approximately November 16–24. Archery deer: September 15 – December 31, over the counter, unlimited. Muzzleloader deer: December 1–31, over the counter. Nonresidents capped at 15% of total MDCA allocations. Youth restricted permits are not valid in Frenchman. Frenchman Any Deer permits include a bonus antlerless whitetail tag.

Dual-species unit supporting both whitetail deer and mule deer. Whitetails concentrate in riparian corridors, creek bottoms, and adjacent agricultural edges — Furnas County on the eastern fringe is a notable record-book producer. Mule deer occupy open rangeland, CRP flats, and draws; Dundy County in the far southwest has produced multiple record-class bucks in recent years. The majority of mule deer and whitetail taken on Nebraska statewide buck permits historically come out of the Frenchman unit. Wild turkey population is estimated at approximately 300 birds near prime areas; spring turkey tags available. Mule deer antlerless permits are not valid on public hunting lands.

One of Nebraska's top two or three deer units overall. Consistently produces Boone and Crockett-class mule deer and record whitetails. The Republican River and Frenchman Creek corridors are the backbone of both deer and turkey habitat. DIY archery and muzzleloader hunts on private leases near Benkelman are commercially available. Permit demand reliably exceeds supply for firearm mule deer — hunters should bank preference points early. The unit's combination of CRP, riparian timber, and ag fields creates exceptional late-season deer hunting when corn is still standing.