Heron Meadows Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Heron Meadows Wildlife Management Area is 200 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Jackson County, near Heron Lake, inside Deer Permit Area 250. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game for it. Hunters registered 505 deer in DPA 250 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 areasNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasHeron Meadows WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 200 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Jackson County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 250 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Heron Lake |
| DNR area office | Windom |
| Nearest towns | Heron Lake (next to it), Okabena (3 mi) and Wilder (6 mi) |
What can you hunt on Heron Meadows WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game for Heron Meadows WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Heron Meadows WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Heron Meadows WMA?
Heron Meadows WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 250. The DNR registered 505 deer in DPA 250 in 2025, against 479 in 2024.
| DPA | Heron Meadows WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 250 | 200 | 505 | 479 | 497 |
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 Heron Meadows WMA?
From Heron Lake, go 1 mile S on CSAH 9 then 1/2 mile W on TR.
Nearest towns: Heron Lake (next to it), Okabena (3 miles), Wilder (6 miles) and Kinbrae (8 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 60.
What other public land is near Heron Meadows WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Heron Lake WMA: 865 acres, next to it
- Valleau WMA: 309 acres, next to it
- Crosse WMA: 67 acres, 1 mile away
- Libra WMA: 29 acres, 2.9 miles away
- Graham Creek WMA: 90 acres, 3.7 miles away
- Winkler WMA: 119 acres, 3.7 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Heron Meadows WMA
Counting Heron Meadows WMA itself, 1,007 of the 23,524 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (4.3%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 1,007 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Heron Meadows WMA?
In Jackson County, near Heron Lake. The DNR's directions: From Heron Lake, go 1 mile S on CSAH 9 then 1/2 mile W on TR.
Which deer permit area is Heron Meadows WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 250. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Heron Meadows WMA?
1,007 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Heron Meadows WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Heron Lake WMA (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Heron Meadows 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.