Bjornson Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Bjornson Wildlife Management Area is 647 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Clay County, near Downer, inside Deer Permit Area 269. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, mourning doves and small game for it. Hunters registered 464 deer in DPA 269 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 areasState forest and other DNR landNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasState parksBjornson WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 647 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Clay County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 269 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, mourning doves and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Downer |
| DNR area office | Detroit Lakes |
| Nearest towns | Hawley (6 mi), Barnesville (8 mi) and Baker (10 mi) |
What can you hunt on Bjornson WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, mourning doves and small game for Bjornson WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Bjornson WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Bjornson WMA?
Bjornson WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 269. The DNR registered 464 deer in DPA 269 in 2025, against 418 in 2024.
| DPA | Bjornson WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 269 | 647 | 464 | 418 | 395 |
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 Bjornson WMA?
From Downer, go 6 miles E on CSAH 10.
Access is from 210th ST. S., then east on 80th Ave S to parking area near water structure. Access to wetland at this same location.
Nearest towns: Hawley (6 miles), Barnesville (8 miles), Baker (10 miles) and Glyndon (12 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 32.
What other public land is near Bjornson WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Clay County WMA: 924 acres, next to it
- Skree WMA: 165 acres, 1.4 miles away
- Hawley WMA: 163 acres, 1.5 miles away
- Hay Creek WMA: 40 acres, 1.8 miles away
- Janssen WMA: 319 acres, 2 miles away
- Magnusson WMA: 267 acres, 2 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Bjornson WMA
Counting Bjornson WMA itself, 3,784 of the 28,238 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (13.4%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 2,538 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 1,246 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Bjornson WMA?
In Clay County, near Downer. The DNR's directions: From Downer, go 6 miles E on CSAH 10.
Which deer permit area is Bjornson WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 269. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Bjornson WMA?
3,784 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Bjornson WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Clay County WMA (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Bjornson 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.