Public Hunting Land in Minnesota

Minnesota is a northern gem for public land hunters, offering over 5.6 million acres of accessible land across prairies, forests, wetlands, and agricultural edges. With strong populations of whitetail deer, grouse, bear, waterfowl, and turkey, the state provides ample opportunity for both local and traveling hunters.

Types of Public Land Available in Minnesota:

• Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs): Managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), open to public hunting and trapping with posted rules.

• State Forests: Most allow hunting and dispersed camping during open seasons.

• National Forests: Superior and Chippewa National Forests provide vast acreage for big game and small game hunts.

• Walk-In Access (WIA) Lands: Privately owned but leased for public hunting — marked and mapped by the DNR.

Seasons & Access Info

Minnesota’s hunting seasons vary by zone, species, and weapon. Some hunts (like bear and antlerless deer tags) require applications through a lottery system.

Key Resources:

• Season Dates & Hunting Regulations

• License Sales & Applications

• Walk-In Access Program Overview

Pro Tip: Grouse hunters should focus on early successional forests in northern WMAs — Minnesota is one of the top ruffed grouse states in the U.S.

Explore Minnesota Hunting Lands

Scout your next hunt using Minnesota’s excellent online and mobile-friendly mapping tools:

• Recreation Compass (Interactive WMA & Public Land Map)

• WIA Land Access Map

• Public Hunting Areas by Region

From lake-dotted woodlands to farmland fringes, Minnesota’s diverse public lands are well-managed and rich with opportunities for all types of hunters.