Botna Bottoms Wildlife Area: hunting and access
Botna Bottoms Wildlife Area is 441 acres of public hunting land in Fremont County, next to Farragut, managed by the DNR's wildlife bureau. Hunters reported 379 deer in Fremont 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 atlasCounty conservation board and city landBotna Bottoms Wildlife AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 441 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Fremont County |
| Deer harvest unit | Fremont County |
| DNR lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Waterfowl and Pheasant |
| Managed by | the DNR's wildlife bureau |
| Habitat (DNR) | 45% Bottomland Forest, 35% Wetlands, 20% Grassland |
| DNR contact | Nishnabotna Wildlife Unit |
| Nearest towns | Farragut (next to it), Shenandoah (4 mi) and Riverton (6 mi) |
What is Botna Bottoms Wildlife Area like?
The DNR describes the habitat as 45% bottomland forest, 35% wetlands, 20% grassland.
From the DNR's Hunting Atlas layer.
What can you hunt on Botna Bottoms Wildlife Area?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, turkey, waterfowl and pheasant for Botna Bottoms Wildlife Area.
What are the rules on Botna Bottoms 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 Botna Bottoms Wildlife Area?
Botna Bottoms Wildlife Area lies in Fremont County. Hunters reported 379 deer in Fremont County in 2025, against 432 in 2024.
| County | Botna Bottoms Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fremont County | 441 | 379 | 432 | 414 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the hunting area alone: Iowa DNR harvest reporting (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Botna Bottoms Wildlife Area?
The DNR's directions: SW of intersection of Hwy 2 & M16, 0.25 mile S of Hwy 2 on 390th Ave.
Nearest towns: Farragut (next to it), Shenandoah (4 miles), Riverton (6 miles) and Anderson (7 miles). Highways within 5 miles: IA 2, US 59 and IA 48.
What other public land is near Botna Bottoms Wildlife Area?
Public hunting areas within 10 miles:
- Riverton Wildlife Area - Fremont: 4,069 acres, 3.5 miles away
- Lake Shawtee: 1,165 acres, 4.9 miles away
- Pierce Creek Recreation Area: 66 acres, 8.4 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Botna Bottoms Wildlife Area
Counting Botna Bottoms Wildlife Area itself, 476 of the 31,396 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (1.5%), 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 | 441 |
| County conservation board and city land | 35 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Botna Bottoms Wildlife Area?
In Fremont County, next to Farragut.
What can you hunt on Botna Bottoms Wildlife Area?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, turkey, waterfowl and pheasant.
How much public land is around Botna Bottoms Wildlife Area?
476 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Botna Bottoms Wildlife Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries. The closest other public hunting area is Riverton Wildlife Area - Fremont (3.5 miles).
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.