Aastad Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Aastad Wildlife Management Area is 317 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Otter Tail County, near Fergus Falls, inside Deer Permit Area 270. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game for it. Hunters registered 330 deer in DPA 270 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 areasNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasOther federal landAastad WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 317 acres in 3 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Otter Tail County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 270 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Fergus Falls |
| DNR area office | Fergus Falls |
| Nearest towns | Wendell (5 mi), Dalton (8 mi) and Fergus Falls (8 mi) |
What can you hunt on Aastad WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game for Aastad WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Aastad WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Aastad WMA?
Aastad WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 270. The DNR registered 330 deer in DPA 270 in 2025, against 304 in 2024.
| DPA | Aastad WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 270 | 317 | 330 | 304 | 247 |
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 Aastad WMA?
From Fergus Falls, 10 miles South on County 1, then 1 mile East on County 110.
From County road 1, parking area is 1 mile east on 130th St., then ~200 yards south on 195th Ave. on the east side of the road.
Nearest towns: Wendell (5 miles), Dalton (8 miles), Fergus Falls (8 miles) and Elbow Lake (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 59, I-94 and US 52.
What other public land is near Aastad WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Erlandson WMA: 283 acres, 1.4 miles away
- Bergerud WMA: 56 acres, 1.9 miles away
- Orwell WMA: 2,127 acres, 3.8 miles away
- Valdine WMA: 140 acres, 4 miles away
- Mustinka WMA: 748 acres, 4.1 miles away
- Hi-View WMA: 134 acres, 4.5 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Aastad WMA
Counting Aastad WMA itself, 3,563 of the 34,988 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (10.2%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 2,906 |
| State wildlife management areas | 657 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Aastad WMA?
In Otter Tail County, near Fergus Falls. The DNR's directions: From Fergus Falls, 10 miles South on County 1, then 1 mile East on County 110.
Which deer permit area is Aastad WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 270. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Aastad WMA?
3,563 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Aastad WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Erlandson WMA (1.4 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Aastad 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.