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WMA in Steele County
Hunting Aurora Wildlife Management Area, Minnesota public land
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this wildlife management area in Steele County, 896 acres.
Photo: Joshua Mayer (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Aurora Wildlife Management Area
Aurora WMA at a glance for hunters
You get 896 acres at Aurora WMA, which lies in Steele County. By size it ranks 1st of the 11 wildlife management areas we list in Steele County. DPA 232 (it also reaches DPA 233) sets the deer limit here: 3-deer limit this year.
The managing office is Owatonna (DNR Wildlife), owatonna.wildlife@state.mn.us. DNR lists Pittman-Robertson as the federal aid source for Aurora WMA.
What the DNR page says about it: Management aims are to maintain and restore wetland, prairie and savannah habitats. A part of this unit is managed to provide native prairie seed for habitat plantings on other WMAs in the vicinity.
Listed game: deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey, mourning dove.
- White-tailed Deer
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- Ducks
- Canada Goose
- Wild Turkey
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Aurora Wildlife Management Area
What is allowed on Aurora WMA
Short version of the rules that apply on Aurora WMA, taken from the managing agency.
| What | Rule here |
|---|---|
| Hunting, trapping | Regular seasons |
| Vehicles | Designated roads, lots |
| Target shooting | Not allowed |
| Guns in transit | Cased, unloaded |
| Camping | Designated or permit |
| Portable stands, blinds | Remove daily |
| Overnight stands, northwest | Nov 1-Dec 31 |
| Dogs | Leash Apr 16-Jul 14 |
| Drones | Not allowed |
| Gear left overnight | Not allowed |
Sources: record, agency rules; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Deer on Aurora WMA in 2026-27
Deer on Aurora WMA fall under DPA 232: 3-deer limit, 200 series. Fill the DPA 232 limit of 3 with your license plus bonus permits.
| Deer window | From | To | Open now? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Youth deer | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Firearms, 200 series | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 |
CWD testing in DPA 232: optional. DPA 232 spans 381 square miles. DPA 232 reaches Steele, Waseca, Rice and Le Sueur counties.
More DPAs here: DPA 233 (3-deer limit)
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Aurora WMA hunting calendar 2026-27
Aurora WMA season dates for 2026-27, picked by its game species list and its deer permit area.
| Species | Season | Applies | Opens | Closes | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPAs 232, 233 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPAs 232, 233 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPAs 232, 233 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring archery-only | Statewide | Apr 14, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period A | Statewide | Apr 14, 2027 | Apr 20, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth | Statewide | Apr 14, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period B | Statewide | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period C | Statewide | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period D | Statewide | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period E | Statewide | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period F | Statewide | May 19, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Regular | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Ruffed, spruce grouse | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Hungarian partridge | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Mourning dove | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Rabbits, hares | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Jackrabbit | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Squirrels | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Crow | Crow segment | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Early geese | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Light geese | Early geese | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Teal | Early teal season | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 9, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl | Youth days | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | North Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Nov 24, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | Central Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | North Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Dec 25, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | Central Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Take-a-Kid | Take-a-Kid | Statewide | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | Central Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | Central Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Dec 30, 2026 | |
| Raccoon, foxes | Hunting (north) | North furbearer zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | |
| Badger, opossum, weasels | Hunting (north) | North furbearer zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 6, 2027 | |
| Raccoon, foxes | Hunting (south) | South furbearer zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | |
| Badger, opossum, weasels | Hunting (south) | South furbearer zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunt and trap (north) | North furbearer zone | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 17, 2027 | |
| Crow | Crow segment | Statewide | Dec 15, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunt and trap (south) | South furbearer zone | Jan 2, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Spring light goose | Statewide | Feb 18, 2027 | Apr 30, 2027 | |
| Crow | Crow segment | Statewide | Mar 1, 2027 | Mar 31, 2027 |
Furbearer rows list both zones: the line follows I-94 and US 10, so check which side of it you hunt.
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026. All Minnesota seasons.
Aurora WMA: access points
0 parking points and the route text DNR posts for Aurora WMA.
| Subunit | Acres | Nearest town | Hunting | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora WMA | 896 | Bixby | Open | – | DNR |
- Aurora WMA: From Bixby, go 1.25 m. NW on US Hwy 218
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Public land within a drive of Aurora WMA
When Aurora WMA is crowded, Oak Glen WMA sits 2.9 mi away to the southeast.
| Place | Type | Acres | DPA | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Glen WMA | WMA | 87 | 232 | 2.9 mi | southeast |
| Dodge Center Creek WPA | WPA | 138 | 233 | 3.8 mi | east |
| Marsh Wren WMA | WMA | 40 | 233 | 3.8 mi | northeast |
| Straight Creek WPA | WPA | 346 | 232 | 4.8 mi | south |
| Pogones Marsh WMA | WMA | 112 | 232 | 4.9 mi | south |
| Straight River Marsh WPA2 WPA | WPA | 17 | 232 | 6.7 mi | southwest |
| Straight River Marsh WPA | WPA | 380 | 232 | 6.9 mi | southwest |
| Straight River WMA | WMA | 198 | 232 | 7.0 mi | southwest |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Aurora WMA nearest towns and help
Fuel and food: Blooming Prairie lies 7.9 mi from Aurora WMA. For more services, Owatonna (26,626) is 9.8 mi out. DNR's nearest town for this unit: Bixby. Nearest DNR desk: Owatonna Area Wildlife Office, 9.7 mi.
| Town | County | People (2024) | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blooming Prairie | Steele | 1,938 | 7.9 mi | southeast |
| Claremont | Dodge | 499 | 8.7 mi | northeast |
| Owatonna | Steele | 26,626 | 9.8 mi | northwest |
| Ellendale | Steele | 658 | 10 mi | southwest |
| Geneva | Freeborn | 499 | 12 mi | southwest |
Towns from the 2024 Census gazetteer and population estimates; offices and businesses from services.json (DNR and business listings, chain stores and license agents left out); straight-line miles. Checked October 28, 2026.
Aurora WMA: deer taken in DPA 232
745 deer were registered in DPA 232 during 2025, 1.98 per square mile of the unit.
| Year | Adult bucks | Other deer | DPA harvest | Per square mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 389 | 356 | 745 | 1.98 |
| 2024 | 434 | 339 | 773 | 2.05 |
| 2023 | 424 | 381 | 805 | 2.14 |
| 2022 | 387 | 331 | 718 | 1.91 |
| 2021 | 332 | 311 | 643 | 1.71 |
| 2020 | 348 | 349 | 697 | 1.85 |
| 2019 | 366 | 282 | 648 | 1.72 |
| 2018 | 300 | 318 | 618 | 1.64 |
| 2017 | 311 | 290 | 601 | 1.60 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Aurora WMA and the rest of Steele County
Steele County has 17 public hunting areas on file, Aurora WMA among them. Steele County is under the deer feeding and attractant ban. Steele County lies in the bear no-quota area. The county sits in turkey permit area 503. Nearest DNR area wildlife office to the county centre: Owatonna Area Wildlife Office, (507) 414-6200. Not every public place in Steele County is open: Chapa-kak-say-za Wildlife Management Area is closed to hunting.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
When shooting starts and stops at Aurora WMA
Sun times computed for Aurora WMA itself, since the 2026 booklet prints no tables.
| Date | Why | Sunrise | Sunset | Legal from | Big game to | Waterfowl to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Archery and grouse opener | 6:55 a.m. | 7:18 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. | 7:48 p.m. | 7:18 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:03 a.m. | 7:05 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. | 7:35 p.m. | 7:05 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:19 a.m. | 6:39 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. | 7:09 p.m. | 6:39 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 6:56 a.m. | 4:57 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. | 5:27 p.m. | 4:57 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:23 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. | 5:08 p.m. | 4:38 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:47 a.m. | 4:43 p.m. | 7:17 a.m. | 5:13 p.m. | 4:43 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:33 a.m. | 7:53 p.m. | 6:03 a.m. | 8:23 p.m. | 7:53 p.m. |
Pheasant hours start at 9 a.m.
Hours rule from the DNR booklet shooting hours page; sun times calculated for the unit point (NOAA method, Central Time); checked October 28, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Where Aurora Wildlife Management Area hunters zero a rifle
Drive about 55 miles from Aurora Wildlife Management Area to reach Spring Lake Park Archery Range, the nearest public lanes. Clubs within 30 miles take the remaining cards. Plinking on the property is not allowed.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026; target shooting rule from the DNR WMA rules.
Aurora WMA region in a few frames
Hunter questions about Aurora WMA, short answers
Aurora WMA acreage: how much ground is it?
It runs to 896 acres.
Does Aurora WMA allow public hunting?
It is open: DNR lists every subunit of Aurora WMA with an open or partial hunting status.
What game species does Aurora WMA list?
The agency names deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey and mourning dove for Aurora WMA.
What deer permit area is Aurora WMA in?
The record puts it in DPA 232: 3-deer limit. Its firearms season: Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Aurora WMA: who is the land manager?
Questions about Aurora WMA go to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at its Owatonna office.
How do you get to Aurora WMA?
From Bixby, go 1.25 m. NW on US Hwy 218 0 parking spots on the DNR map.
On the deer opener, when can you shoot at Aurora WMA?
Deer shooting on Nov. 7 opens at 6:26 a.m. and ends at 5:27 p.m. at the Aurora WMA point.
Aurora WMA and CWD: what applies?
For CWD, DPA 232 is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
Can blinds stay up overnight at Aurora WMA?
Only for the day: WMA rules make you remove portable stands and blinds daily, outside the northwest Nov. 1-Dec. 31 exception.
Aurora WMA neighbors: what public land is nearby?
Short-drive options from the map: Oak Glen WMA (2.9 mi), Dodge Center Creek WPA (3.8 mi) and Marsh Wren WMA (3.8 mi).
Can hunters set up a tent camp on Aurora WMA?
Only at designated sites or by permit.
Other photos on this page: Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain).