Bigelow Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Bigelow Wildlife Management Area is 234 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Nobles County, near Bigelow, inside Deer Permit Area 237. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game for it. Hunters registered 301 deer in DPA 237 in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: the DNR's wildlife management area data, read 2026-10. Harvest: DNR Deer Harvest Reports, 2021 to 2025.
State wildlife management areasBigelow WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 234 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Nobles County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 237 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Bigelow |
| DNR area office | Slayton-Talcot Lake |
| Nearest towns | Bigelow (next to it), Rushmore (8 mi) and Worthington (9 mi) |
What is Bigelow WMA like?
This WMA consists of two 40-acre blocks of a large drained lakebed that is farmed on all sides. The area supports wetland vegetation. A large drainage ditch bisects one parcel.
Access to most of this WMA is only possible through private land or when the ice in the ditch is frozen.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Bigelow WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game for Bigelow WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Bigelow WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Bigelow WMA?
Bigelow WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 237. The DNR registered 301 deer in DPA 237 in 2025, against 332 in 2024.
| DPA | Bigelow WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 237 | 234 | 301 | 332 | 359 |
Harvest for the whole deer permit area, not the WMA alone: Minnesota DNR Deer Harvest Reports (2021 to 2025, 2025 report).
How do you get to Bigelow WMA?
Located at the northwest corner of town.
Nearest towns: Bigelow (next to it), Rushmore (8 miles), Worthington (9 miles) and Round Lake (11 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 60 and US 59.
What other public land is near Bigelow WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Lake Bella WMA: 359 acres, 3 miles away
- Peterson WMA: 325 acres, 3.2 miles away
- Ransom Ridge WMA: 382 acres, 3.4 miles away
- John Erickson WMA: 121 acres, 4.1 miles away
- Wachter WMA: 473 acres, 4.3 miles away
- James Willey WMA: 138 acres, 5.7 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Bigelow WMA
Counting Bigelow WMA itself, 234 of the 24,389 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (1%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 234 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Bigelow WMA?
In Nobles County, near Bigelow. The DNR's directions: Located at the northwest corner of town.
Which deer permit area is Bigelow WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 237. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Bigelow WMA?
234 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Bigelow WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Lake Bella WMA (3 miles).
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Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Minnesota included.
Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Bigelow WMA; Minnesota DNR Wildlife Management Area boundaries, publicly accessible.
- Boundary and acres: the DNR's map layer above. Surrounding public land: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
- Deer harvest: Minnesota DNR Deer Harvest Reports (2021 to 2025, 2025 report).
FilledTag is not part of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Check the DNR's rules and posted signs before you go.