Ney Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Ney Wildlife Management Area is 613 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Scott County, near Henderson, inside Deer Permit Area 338. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game for it. Hunters registered 704 deer in DPA 338 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 areasNey WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 613 acres in 4 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Scott County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 338 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Henderson |
| DNR area office | South Metro |
| Nearest towns | Henderson (2 mi), Le Sueur (5 mi) and Belle Plaine (7 mi) |
What is Ney WMA like?
This WMA is located next to the scenic Minnesota river valley. It is predominantly forested bluffs, with a large prairie planting on the plateau above the ravines and valley. There is a food plot and several woody cover plantings in this WMA.
This WMA preserves a large area of oak forest along the steep banks of the Minnesota river and is ideal habitat for turkey and deer. There is a boat launch just down the road to access the Minnesota river, which is popular for fishing and canoeing. There is also a nature preserve across the Hwy.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Ney WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game for Ney WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Ney WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Ney WMA?
Ney WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 338. The DNR registered 704 deer in DPA 338 in 2025, against 594 in 2024.
| DPA | Ney WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 338 | 613 | 704 | 594 | 608 |
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 Ney WMA?
From Henderson, go 2 miles E on Hwy 19 the WMA is on the N (left side) of the road.
Nearest towns: Henderson (2 miles), Le Sueur (5 miles), Belle Plaine (7 miles) and Green Isle (10 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 169, MN 19 and MN 93.
What other public land is near Ney WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Vale WMA: 299 acres, 2 miles away
- Clark Lake WMA: 33 acres, 2.2 miles away
- Mahoney's Marsh WMA: 324 acres, 4.8 miles away
- St. Thomas Lake WMA: 320 acres, 5.8 miles away
- Raven WMA: 72 acres, 6.3 miles away
- Sigler WMA: 73 acres, 6.4 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Ney WMA
Counting Ney WMA itself, 957 of the 28,418 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (3.4%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 957 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Ney WMA?
In Scott County, near Henderson. The DNR's directions: From Henderson, go 2 miles E on Hwy 19 the WMA is on the N (left side) of the road.
Which deer permit area is Ney WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 338. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Ney WMA?
957 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Ney WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Vale WMA (2 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Ney 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.