Born Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Born Wildlife Management Area is 185 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Blue Earth County, near Smiths Mill, inside Deer Permit Area 230. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game for it. Hunters registered 549 deer in DPA 230 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 areasBorn WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 185 acres in 3 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Blue Earth County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 230 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Smiths Mill |
| DNR area office | Nicollet |
| Nearest towns | Janesville (3 mi), St. Clair (4 mi) and Madison Lake (5 mi) |
What is Born WMA like?
This WMA is mainly comprised of: A restored oak savanna wetland complex with a large wetland component, upland and lowland forest components.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Born WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game for Born WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Born WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Born WMA?
Born WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 230. The DNR registered 549 deer in DPA 230 in 2025, against 604 in 2024.
| DPA | Born WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 230 | 185 | 549 | 604 | 606 |
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 Born WMA?
For North Tract, from Smiths Mill, go 1/2 mile W on Co Rd 184.For Central Tract, from Smiths Mill go 1 mile south on Co. Rd. 37, then 1 mile west on Co. Rd. 23. For South Tract, from Smiths Mill, go 2 miles south on Co. Rd. 37, then 1mile west on 195th.
Wheelchair access is limited to adjacent county and township roads and the primitive boat ramp on the south tract.
Nearest towns: Janesville (3 miles), St. Clair (4 miles), Madison Lake (5 miles) and Eagle Lake (5 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 14, MN 60 and MN 83.
What other public land is near Born WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Quade WMA: 162 acres, 3.1 miles away
- Linde WMA: 193 acres, 4.5 miles away
- Gilfillan Lake WMA: 559 acres, 5 miles away
- Lundquist WMA: 42 acres, 6.2 miles away
- Duckhaven WMA: 40 acres, 6.3 miles away
- Dove Lake WMA: 258 acres, 6.6 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Born WMA
Counting Born WMA itself, 185 of the 28,976 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (0.6%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 185 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Born WMA?
In Blue Earth County, near Smiths Mill. The DNR's directions: For North Tract, from Smiths Mill, go 1/2 mile W on Co Rd 184.For Central Tract, from Smiths Mill go 1 mile south on Co. Rd. 37, then 1 mile west on Co. Rd. 23. For South Tract, from Smiths Mill, go 2 miles south on Co. Rd. 37, then 1mile west on 195th.
Which deer permit area is Born WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 230. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Born WMA?
185 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Born WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Quade WMA (3.1 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, Born 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.