Ransom Ridge Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Ransom Ridge Wildlife Management Area is 382 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Nobles County, near Rushmore, inside Deer Permit Area 237. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, mourning doves 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 areasState forest and other DNR landRansom Ridge WMACounty lineHighway
| Size | 382 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Nobles County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 237 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants, mourning doves and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Rushmore |
| DNR area office | Slayton-Talcot Lake |
| Nearest towns | Rushmore (4 mi), Bigelow (5 mi) and Worthington (9 mi) |
What is Ransom Ridge WMA like?
This unit consists of native and restored prairie along with woody cover plantings. The Little Rock River flows through this unit.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Ransom Ridge WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, mourning doves and small game for Ransom Ridge WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Ransom Ridge WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Ransom Ridge WMA?
Ransom Ridge WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 237. The DNR registered 301 deer in DPA 237 in 2025, against 332 in 2024.
| DPA | Ransom Ridge WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 237 | 382 | 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 Ransom Ridge WMA?
From Rushmore, go 3.15 miles S on CSAH 13, then 1 mile E on CR 56, then 0.8 miles S on Twnshp Road to the WMA on the East (left) side of the road.
Nearest towns: Rushmore (4 miles), Bigelow (5 miles), Worthington (9 miles) and Adrian (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 60, I-90 and US 59.
What other public land is near Ransom Ridge WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Lambert Prairie WMA: 306 acres, 2.5 miles away
- Bigelow WMA: 234 acres, 3.4 miles away
- Herlein-Boote WMA: 741 acres, 5.4 miles away
- Peterson WMA: 325 acres, 5.9 miles away
- Lake Bella WMA: 359 acres, 6.3 miles away
- Bluebird Prairie WMA: 78 acres, 6.6 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Ransom Ridge WMA
Counting Ransom Ridge WMA itself, 556 of the 25,639 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (2.2%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 537 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 19 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Ransom Ridge WMA?
In Nobles County, near Rushmore. The DNR's directions: From Rushmore, go 3.15 miles S on CSAH 13, then 1 mile E on CR 56, then 0.8 miles S on Twnshp Road to the WMA on the East (left) side of the road.
Which deer permit area is Ransom Ridge WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 237. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Ransom Ridge WMA?
556 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Ransom Ridge WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Lambert Prairie WMA (2.5 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Ransom Ridge 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.