Anderson Prairie Complex: hunting and access
Anderson Prairie Complex is 896 acres of public hunting land in Emmet County, 2 miles from Estherville, managed by the DNR's wildlife bureau. Hunters reported 237 deer in Emmet County in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: the DNR's public hunting area data, read 2026-10. Harvest: Iowa DNR harvest reporting, 2021 to 2025.
Public hunting areas on the DNR atlasNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasOther DNR landState parks and recreation areasCounty conservation board and city landAnderson Prairie ComplexCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 896 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Emmet County |
| Deer harvest unit | Emmet County |
| DNR lists for hunting | Deer, Pheasant and Dove |
| Managed by | the DNR's wildlife bureau |
| Habitat (DNR) | 3/4 Upland Grassland & Native Prairie, 1/4 Timber |
| Nontoxic shot | Required (DNR) |
| DNR contact | Prairie Lakes Wildlife Unit |
| Nearest towns | Estherville (2 mi), Superior (4 mi) and Gruver (7 mi) |
What is Anderson Prairie Complex like?
The DNR describes the habitat as 3/4 upland grassland & native prairie, 1/4 timber.
From the DNR's Hunting Atlas layer.
What can you hunt on Anderson Prairie Complex?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, pheasant and dove for Anderson Prairie Complex.
What are the rules on Anderson Prairie Complex?
The DNR's layer marks this area as nontoxic shot only.
Iowa's general hunting rules apply, and some DNR land is a posted wildlife refuge closed during set seasons; Iowa DNR wildlife management areas has area maps.
How many deer are taken around Anderson Prairie Complex?
Anderson Prairie Complex lies in Emmet County. Hunters reported 237 deer in Emmet County in 2025, against 232 in 2024.
| County | Anderson Prairie Complex acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emmet County | 896 | 237 | 232 | 211 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the hunting area alone: Iowa DNR harvest reporting (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Anderson Prairie Complex?
The DNR's directions: 1 mile W of Estherville on Hwy 9, 2 miles N on 360th Ave.
Nearest towns: Estherville (2 miles), Superior (4 miles), Gruver (7 miles) and Wallingford (8 miles). Highways within 5 miles: IA 4 and IA 9.
What other public land is near Anderson Prairie Complex?
Public hunting areas within 10 miles:
- Ringham Habitat Area: 80 acres, next to it
- Superior Marsh: 38 acres, 1.9 miles away
- Four Mile Lake: 534 acres, 2 miles away
- Christopherson Slough Complex: 1,514 acres, 2 miles away
- Eagle Lake WPA - Emmet: 538 acres, 2 miles away
- Four Mile Lake WPA: 280 acres, 2.1 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Anderson Prairie Complex
Counting Anderson Prairie Complex itself, 2,729 of the 31,984 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (8.5%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| Public hunting areas on the DNR atlas | 2,376 |
| State parks and recreation areas | 231 |
| County conservation board and city land | 103 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 10 |
| Other DNR land | 9 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Anderson Prairie Complex?
In Emmet County, 2 miles from Estherville.
What can you hunt on Anderson Prairie Complex?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, pheasant and dove. Nontoxic shot is required.
How much public land is around Anderson Prairie Complex?
2,729 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Anderson Prairie Complex included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries. The closest other public hunting area is Ringham Habitat Area (next to it).
Get a Iowa hunt plan when they open
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Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Iowa included.
Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: Iowa DNR public hunting areas (Hunting Atlas layer).
- Boundary and acres: the DNR's map layer above. Surrounding public land: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public) and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries.
- Deer harvest: Iowa DNR harvest reporting (2021 to 2025 seasons).
FilledTag is not part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Check the DNR's rules and posted signs before you go.