Muskrat Slough Wildlife Area: hunting and access
Muskrat Slough Wildlife Area is 741 acres of public hunting land in Jones County, next to Morley, managed by the DNR's wildlife bureau. Hunters reported 2,022 deer in Jones 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 atlasOther DNR landCounty conservation board and city landMuskrat Slough Wildlife AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 741 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Jones County |
| Deer harvest unit | Jones County |
| DNR lists for hunting | Deer, Pheasant, Waterfowl and Dove |
| Managed by | the DNR's wildlife bureau |
| Habitat (DNR) | 3/4 Marsh, 1/4 Upland |
| DNR contact | Maquoketa Wildlife Unit |
| Nearest towns | Morley (next to it), Olin (3 mi) and Mechanicsville (6 mi) |
What is Muskrat Slough Wildlife Area like?
The DNR describes the habitat as 3/4 marsh, 1/4 upland.
From the DNR's Hunting Atlas layer.
What can you hunt on Muskrat Slough Wildlife Area?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, pheasant, waterfowl and dove for Muskrat Slough Wildlife Area.
What are the rules on Muskrat Slough 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 Muskrat Slough Wildlife Area?
Muskrat Slough Wildlife Area lies in Jones County. Hunters reported 2,022 deer in Jones County in 2025, against 1,986 in 2024.
| County | Muskrat Slough Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jones County | 741 | 2,022 | 1,986 | 1,920 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the hunting area alone: Iowa DNR harvest reporting (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to Muskrat Slough Wildlife Area?
The DNR's directions: 0.5 mile S of Olin on Hwy 38, 3.5 miles W on 35th St, 0.25 mile N on 170th Ave.
Nearest towns: Morley (next to it), Olin (3 miles), Mechanicsville (6 miles) and Stanwood (7 miles). Highways within 5 miles: IA 38.
What other public land is near Muskrat Slough Wildlife Area?
Public hunting areas within 10 miles:
- Wapsipinicon State Park: 108 acres, 6.2 miles away
- Hale Wildlife Area: 419 acres, 7.3 miles away
- Rock Creek Timber: 155 acres, 9.4 miles away
- Mink Run Wildlife Area: 73 acres, 9.6 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Muskrat Slough Wildlife Area
Counting Muskrat Slough Wildlife Area itself, 776 of the 31,343 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (2.5%), 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 | 741 |
| County conservation board and city land | 20 |
| Other DNR land | 15 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Muskrat Slough Wildlife Area?
In Jones County, next to Morley.
What can you hunt on Muskrat Slough Wildlife Area?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, pheasant, waterfowl and dove.
How much public land is around Muskrat Slough Wildlife Area?
776 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Muskrat Slough Wildlife Area included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's public hunting area boundaries. The closest other public hunting area is Wapsipinicon State Park (6.2 miles).
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.