Schneewind Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Schneewind Wildlife Management Area is 248 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Carver County, near Waconia, inside Deer Permit Area 338. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, mourning doves 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 areasCounty, city and regional landSchneewind WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 248 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Carver County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 338 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, mourning doves and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Waconia |
| DNR area office | South Metro |
| Nearest towns | Waconia (3 mi), Cologne (3 mi) and Norwood Young America (5 mi) |
What is Schneewind WMA like?
This WMA is predominantly wetland with upland areas surrounding that have been planted to prairie. There are also areas of old field and woody cover plantings, as well as some Oak woodland.
This WMA is managed for grassland as well as wetland species. Rice and Tiger Lakes to the west of the WMA are popular waterfowling lakes, and nearby Lake Waconia is popular for fishing.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Schneewind WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, mourning doves and small game for Schneewind WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Schneewind WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Schneewind WMA?
Schneewind WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 338. The DNR registered 704 deer in DPA 338 in 2025, against 594 in 2024.
| DPA | Schneewind WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 338 | 248 | 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 Schneewind WMA?
1.3 miles SW of Waconia on Hwy. 5, south 1.5 miles on Orchard Rd.
Wheelchair access is limited to the parking lot.
Nearest towns: Waconia (3 miles), Cologne (3 miles), Norwood Young America (5 miles) and Mayer (6 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 212, MN 5, MN 25 and MN 284.
What other public land is near Schneewind WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Patterson Lake WMA: 61 acres, 2.4 miles away
- Tiger Marsh WMA: 321 acres, 6.2 miles away
- Assumption WMA: 67 acres, 7.7 miles away
- Faxon WMA: 41 acres, 9.3 miles away
- Carver Highlands WMA: 116 acres, 9.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Schneewind WMA
Counting Schneewind WMA itself, 479 of the 23,807 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (2%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 310 |
| County, city and regional land | 169 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Schneewind WMA?
In Carver County, near Waconia. The DNR's directions: 1.3 miles SW of Waconia on Hwy. 5, south 1.5 miles on Orchard Rd.
Which deer permit area is Schneewind WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 338. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Schneewind WMA?
479 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Schneewind WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 5 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Patterson Lake WMA (2.4 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Schneewind 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.