Verona WMA, Main Unit: hunting and access
Verona WMA, Main Unit is 164 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Brown County, near Sleepy Eye, inside Deer Permit Area 296. The DNR's WMA data lists pheasants and small game for it. Hunters registered 607 deer in DPA 296 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 landWalk-In AccessVerona WMA, Main UnitCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 164 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Brown County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 296 |
| DNR lists for hunting | pheasants and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Sleepy Eye |
| DNR area office | New Ulm |
| Nearest towns | Cobden (7 mi), Comfrey (8 mi) and Sleepy Eye (8 mi) |
What is Verona WMA, Main Unit like?
This WMA was created through a partnership with Pheasants Forever and other local conservation organizations through their donations and the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.
This unit is a restored prairie landscape which is managed for pheasants and prairie wildlife.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Verona WMA, Main Unit?
The DNR's WMA data lists pheasants and small game for Verona WMA, Main Unit. Each follows the statewide season.
What are the rules on Verona WMA, Main Unit?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Verona WMA, Main Unit?
Verona WMA, Main Unit lies in Deer Permit Area 296. The DNR registered 607 deer in DPA 296 in 2025, against 642 in 2024.
| DPA | Verona WMA, Main Unit acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 296 | 164 | 607 | 642 | 642 |
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 Verona WMA, Main Unit?
From Sleepy Eye drive 8 miles south on State Highway 4 to County Highway 22. Turn left (west) on County Road 22 and proceed 2.75 miles west. The WMA will be on the left (south) side of the road. A mowed parking lot is located on the north edge of the unit adjacent to County Highway 22.
Nearest towns: Cobden (7 miles), Comfrey (8 miles), Sleepy Eye (8 miles) and Darfur (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 4. 4 Walk-In Access sites within 3 miles.
What other public land is near Verona WMA, Main Unit?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Verona WMA, NE Unit: 80 acres, next to it
- Winding Creek WMA: 118 acres, 1.1 miles away
- Middle Creek WMA: 71 acres, 1.4 miles away
- Meadowlark Acres WMA: 41 acres, 1.5 miles away
- Albin WMA: 37 acres, 2.5 miles away
- William A. Groebner WMA: 78 acres, 2.6 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Verona WMA, Main Unit
Counting Verona WMA, Main Unit itself, 595 of the 23,428 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (2.5%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 595 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Verona WMA, Main Unit?
In Brown County, near Sleepy Eye. The DNR's directions: From Sleepy Eye drive 8 miles south on State Highway 4 to County Highway 22. Turn left (west) on County Road 22 and proceed 2.75 miles west. The WMA will be on the left (south) side of the road. A mowed parking lot is located on the north edge of the unit adjacent to County Highway 22.
Which deer permit area is Verona WMA, Main Unit in?
Deer Permit Area 296. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Verona WMA, Main Unit?
595 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Verona WMA, Main Unit included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Verona WMA, NE Unit (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Verona WMA, Main Unit; 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).
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