South Bear Creek Wildlife Area: hunting and access
South Bear Creek Wildlife Area is 587 acres of public hunting land in Winneshiek County, 9 miles from Burr Oak, managed by the DNR's wildlife bureau. Hunters reported 2,519 deer in Winneshiek 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 landIHAP landSouth Bear Creek Wildlife AreaCounty lineHighway
| Size | 587 acres in 5 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Winneshiek County |
| Deer harvest unit | Winneshiek County |
| DNR lists for hunting | Deer, Turkey, Squirrel, Grouse and Dove |
| Managed by | the DNR's wildlife bureau |
| Habitat (DNR) | 3/4 Timber, 1/4 Upland, South Bear Creek |
| DNR contact | Upper Iowa Wildlife Unit |
| Nearest towns | Burr Oak (9 mi), Decorah (11 mi) and Waukon (14 mi) |
What is South Bear Creek Wildlife Area like?
The DNR describes the habitat as 3/4 timber, 1/4 upland, south bear creek.
From the DNR's Hunting Atlas layer.
What can you hunt on South Bear Creek Wildlife Area?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, turkey, squirrel, grouse and dove for South Bear Creek Wildlife Area.
What are the rules on South Bear 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 South Bear Creek Wildlife Area?
South Bear Creek Wildlife Area lies in Winneshiek County. Hunters reported 2,519 deer in Winneshiek County in 2025, against 2,550 in 2024.
| County | South Bear Creek Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winneshiek County | 587 | 2,519 | 2,550 | 2,469 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the hunting area alone: Iowa DNR harvest reporting (2021 to 2025 seasons).
How do you get to South Bear Creek Wildlife Area?
The DNR's directions: W edge of Highlandville.
Nearest towns: Burr Oak (9 miles), Decorah (11 miles), Waukon (14 miles) and New Albin (18 miles). 1 IHAP tract within 3 miles.
What other public land is near South Bear Creek Wildlife Area?
Public hunting areas within 10 miles:
- North Bear Creek Wildlife Area: 970 acres, next to it
- Pine Creek Wildlife Area - Winneshiek, Allamakee: 694 acres, 2 miles away
- Upper Iowa River - Iverson Bottoms: 672 acres, 2.2 miles away
- Tahigwa Wildlife Area: 264 acres, 3 miles away
- South Pine Creek Wildlife Area: 239 acres, 3.3 miles away
- Canoe Creek Wildlife Area: 495 acres, 4.4 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of South Bear Creek Wildlife Area
Counting South Bear Creek Wildlife Area itself, 2,249 of the 32,115 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (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 | 2,240 |
| Other DNR land | 9 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is South Bear Creek Wildlife Area?
In Winneshiek County, 9 miles from Burr Oak.
What can you hunt on South Bear Creek Wildlife Area?
The DNR's atlas lists deer, turkey, squirrel, grouse and dove.
How much public land is around South Bear Creek Wildlife Area?
2,249 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, South Bear 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 North Bear Creek Wildlife Area (next to it).
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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.