Minnesota's WMAs offer
Hunters, trappers and wildlife watchers access to 1,506 public wildlife areas encompassing 1.37 million acres of field, forest and wetlands all across Minnesota.
Developed specifically for public use, these habitat-rich areas provide havens for wildlife and recreational opportunities for hunters, hikers, nature watchers and trappers.
Find a WMA
No matter where you are in Minnesota, there's a nearby wildlife management area where you can get outdoors and enjoy a variety of outdoor activities.
Created to conserve, improve and enhance important wildlife habitat, WMAs offer hunters more than a million acres of field, wetland and forest to pursue the game species of their choice.
WMA entrances and borders are marked by standardized yellow signs. Please use the provided parking areas. Keep vehicles on roads and bicycles on trails.
Know the rules
WMAs are made for walking. Unless a special permit is granted, motorized vehicles – with the exception of some e-bikes – are not allowed.
Owners must accompany and control their dogs. Dogs must be leashed from April 16-July 14 to protect nesting and newborn wildlife. Dog training is not allowed on most WMAs.
Target, skeet, trap and archery shooting are not allowed. Firearms and bows may be uncased, loaded and discharged only when hunting.
Do more than hunt
Hunting isn't the only activity. These public lands are open to nature seekers, be they wildlife watchers, birders, botany buffs, flower chasers or day hikers.
During most hunting seasons, blaze clothing is a necessity for the awareness and safety of all. During certain times of the year and hunting seasons, it may not be required.
Since hunting is the primary activity on WMAs, users there for other activities should familiarize themselves with proper hunting behavior and outdoor etiquette.
The WMA story
With farms draining more wetlands to increase row crop production, the DNR created its Save the Wetlands program to conserve habitat.
Federal excise taxes collected from the sale of firearms and ammunition were used to make the first purchase in 1951. By 1964, wetlands had been purchased in 73 of Minnesota's 87 counties.
The program expanded to inlcude upland habitat, resulting in the creation of today's 1.3 million-acre WMA sytem.
Adopt a WMA
This program recognizes and encourages Minnesotans to assist with maintenance and caretaking of wildlife management areas throughout the state.
Volunteers and organizations can do simple jobs without supervision, get initial guidance to do more detailed work and work under supervision or a detailed contract for more advanced jobs.
Wildlife management area needs and groups interested in adopting specific WMAs are the catalysts behind the program.