Middle Raccoon River WMA: hunting and access
Middle Raccoon River WMA is 1,383 acres of public hunting land in Guthrie and Dallas counties, next to Panora, managed by the DNR's wildlife bureau. Hunters reported 1,613 deer in Guthrie 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 landMiddle Raccoon River WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 1,383 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| Counties | Guthrie County and Dallas County |
| Deer harvest unit | Guthrie County, Dallas County |
| DNR lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Squirrel, Rabbit and Dove |
| Managed by | the DNR's wildlife bureau |
| Habitat (DNR) | 1/2 Timber, 1/2 Open Field |
| DNR contact | Saylorville Wildlife Unit |
| Nearest towns | Panora (next to it), Linden (2 mi) and Redfield (2 mi) |
What is Middle Raccoon River WMA like?
The DNR describes the habitat as 1/2 timber, 1/2 open field.
From the DNR's Hunting Atlas layer.
What can you hunt on Middle Raccoon River WMA?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, turkey, squirrel, rabbit and dove for Middle Raccoon River WMA.
What are the rules on Middle Raccoon River WMA?
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 Middle Raccoon River WMA?
Middle Raccoon River WMA lies in 2 counties. Hunters reported 1,613 deer in Guthrie County in 2025, against 1,775 in 2024.
| County | Middle Raccoon River WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guthrie County | 966 | 1,613 | 1,775 | 2,113 |
| Dallas County | 417 | 1,172 | 1,344 | 1,327 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the hunting area alone: Iowa DNR harvest reporting (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Middle Raccoon River WMA?
The DNR's directions: 1.5 miles E of Panora on Hwy 44, 3 miles S on Willow Ave.
Nearest towns: Panora (next to it), Linden (2 miles), Redfield (2 miles) and Diamondhead Lake (4 miles). Highways within 5 miles: IA 44, US 6 and IA 4.
What other public land is near Middle Raccoon River WMA?
Public hunting areas within 10 miles:
- Middle Raccoon River Easement: 82 acres, next to it
- Big Bend Wildlife Area: 602 acres, next to it
- Lenon Mill Wildlife Area: 493 acres, next to it
- Se Robinson Wildlife Area: 104 acres, next to it
- Bennie Hall Wildlife Area: 219 acres, next to it
- Marlowe Ray Wildlife Area: 185 acres, 0.5 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Middle Raccoon River WMA
Counting Middle Raccoon River WMA itself, 3,770 of the 51,470 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (7.3%), 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 | 3,268 |
| County conservation board and city land | 500 |
| Other DNR land | 1 |
| State parks and recreation areas | 1 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Middle Raccoon River WMA?
In Guthrie and Dallas counties, next to Panora.
What can you hunt on Middle Raccoon River WMA?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, turkey, squirrel, rabbit and dove.
How much public land is around Middle Raccoon River WMA?
3,770 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Middle Raccoon River WMA included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries. The closest other public hunting area is Middle Raccoon River Easement (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.