Big Creek Wildlife Area: hunting and access
Big Creek Wildlife Area is 1,344 acres of public hunting land in Polk County, next to Polk City, managed by the DNR's wildlife bureau. Hunters reported 966 deer in Polk 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 atlasFederal land, mostly Corps of Engineers lakesOther DNR landState parks and recreation areasCounty conservation board and city landLand trusts and other open landBig Creek Wildlife AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 1,344 acres in 12 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Polk County |
| Deer harvest unit | Polk County |
| DNR lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Pheasant, Waterfowl and Dove |
| Managed by | the DNR's wildlife bureau |
| Habitat (DNR) | 1/3 Lake, 2/3 Upland |
| DNR contact | Saylorville Wildlife Unit |
| Nearest towns | Polk City (next to it), Sheldahl (3 mi) and Slater (4 mi) |
What is Big Creek Wildlife Area like?
The DNR describes the habitat as 1/3 lake, 2/3 upland.
From the DNR's Hunting Atlas layer.
What can you hunt on Big Creek Wildlife Area?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, turkey, pheasant, waterfowl and dove for Big Creek Wildlife Area.
What are the rules on Big Creek Wildlife Area?
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 Big Creek Wildlife Area?
Big Creek Wildlife Area lies in Polk County. Hunters reported 966 deer in Polk County in 2025, against 997 in 2024.
| County | Big Creek Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polk County | 1,344 | 966 | 997 | 1,007 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the hunting area alone: Iowa DNR harvest reporting (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Big Creek Wildlife Area?
The DNR's directions: 1 mile N of Polk City on NW Madrid Dr.
Nearest towns: Polk City (next to it), Sheldahl (3 miles), Slater (4 miles) and Madrid (4 miles). Highways within 5 miles: IA 141, IA 415, IA 210 and IA 17.
What other public land is near Big Creek Wildlife Area?
Public hunting areas within 10 miles:
- Saylorville Lake: 6,647 acres, next to it
- Big Creek State Park: 729 acres, next to it
- Big Creek Wildlife Area - USACOE: 688 acres, next to it
- Saylorville Wildlife Area - ACOE: 10,773 acres, next to it
- Jester Park: 581 acres, 1 mile away
- Saylorville Wildlife Area: 1,099 acres, 7.4 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Big Creek Wildlife Area
Counting Big Creek Wildlife Area itself, 13,547 of the 40,201 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (33.7%), 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 | 9,324 |
| Federal land, mostly Corps of Engineers lakes | 3,355 |
| County conservation board and city land | 657 |
| State parks and recreation areas | 159 |
| Other DNR land | 31 |
| Land trusts and other open land | 21 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Big Creek Wildlife Area?
In Polk County, next to Polk City.
What can you hunt on Big Creek Wildlife Area?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, turkey, pheasant, waterfowl and dove.
How much public land is around Big Creek Wildlife Area?
13,547 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Big Creek Wildlife Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries. The closest other public hunting area is Saylorville Lake (next to it).
Get a Iowa hunt plan when they open
Hunt plans for Iowa are coming. Join the list and you'll hear first. The first 50 hunters in each new state get their plan free.
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.