Benson Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Benson Wildlife Management Area is 239 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Stevens and Pope counties, near Cyrus, inside Deer Permit Area 275. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants and ducks and geese for it. Hunters registered 997 deer in DPA 275 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 areasWalk-In AccessBenson WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 239 acres |
|---|---|
| Counties | Stevens County and Pope County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 275 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants and ducks and geese |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Cyrus |
| DNR area office | Fergus Falls |
| Nearest towns | Cyrus (2 mi), Hancock (6 mi) and Morris (6 mi) |
What is Benson WMA like?
This WMA consists of two surprisingly different tracts of land. The western tract is mostly an open water basin surrounded by a thin border of grass and large trees.
Little active management occurs on the western tact. The open water basin has no outlet and supports few fish. Wetlands without fish generally have better water quality and produce more vegetation that attracts waterfowl. Some diving duck use occurs on the western basin.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Benson WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants and ducks and geese for Benson WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Benson WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Benson WMA?
Benson WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 275. The DNR registered 997 deer in DPA 275 in 2025, against 880 in 2024.
| DPA | Benson WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 275 | 239 | 997 | 880 | 775 |
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 Benson WMA?
From Cyrus, go 1 mile S on CSAH 3 then 1 mile W and 1 mile S on TWP RD.
Nearest towns: Cyrus (2 miles), Hancock (6 miles), Morris (6 miles) and Starbuck (11 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 28. 1 Walk-In Access site within 3 miles.
What other public land is near Benson WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Selk WMA: 92 acres, 2.1 miles away
- Noordmans WMA: 318 acres, 2.2 miles away
- Weiler WMA: 47 acres, 2.8 miles away
- Walden WMA: 20 acres, 3.7 miles away
- Dolven WMA: 269 acres, 4.8 miles away
- Lake Emily WMA: 81 acres, 5 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Benson WMA
Counting Benson WMA itself, 1,616 of the 23,101 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (7%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 937 |
| State wildlife management areas | 679 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Benson WMA?
In Stevens and Pope counties, near Cyrus. The DNR's directions: From Cyrus, go 1 mile S on CSAH 3 then 1 mile W and 1 mile S on TWP RD.
Which deer permit area is Benson WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 275. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Benson WMA?
1,616 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Benson WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Selk WMA (2.1 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Benson 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.