Blakesley Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Blakesley Wildlife Management Area is 190 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Grant County, near Herman, inside Deer Permit Area 272. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game for it. Hunters registered 366 deer in DPA 272 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 areasBlakesley WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 190 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Grant County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 272 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Herman |
| DNR area office | Fergus Falls |
| Nearest towns | Herman (4 mi), Norcross (5 mi) and Barrett (9 mi) |
What is Blakesley WMA like?
This WMA is dominated by a large, open water wetland on the north end of the WMA. There are several smaller wetlands on this WMA, along with restored grasslands and a large cattail wetland.
The open water wetland generally has good water quality and can provide good waterfowl hunting. The restored grasslands are a mix of native grasses and flowers. There is little woody cover on this WMA except for a small, old woody cover planting on the south end of the WMA. There is privately owned grassland and wetland habitat adjacent to this WMA, so hunters need to be aware of WMA property lines. The Blakesley WMA, especially the cattail wetlands is well used by wintering deer and pheasants.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Blakesley WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game for Blakesley WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Blakesley WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Blakesley WMA?
Blakesley WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 272. The DNR registered 366 deer in DPA 272 in 2025, against 338 in 2024.
| DPA | Blakesley WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 272 | 190 | 366 | 338 | 332 |
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 Blakesley WMA?
From Herman, go 2 1/2 miles E on SH 27 then 2 miles N on CSAH 9.
Nearest towns: Herman (4 miles), Norcross (5 miles), Barrett (9 miles) and Elbow Lake (10 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 27, MN 9 and MN 54.
What other public land is near Blakesley WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Helsene WMA: 274 acres, 0.5 miles away
- Wilts WMA: 145 acres, 0.6 miles away
- Macsville WMA: 270 acres, 4.6 miles away
- Towner WMA: 119 acres, 5.5 miles away
- Thedin WMA: 61 acres, 7.2 miles away
- Eldorado WMA: 300 acres, 8.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Blakesley WMA
Counting Blakesley WMA itself, 1,352 of the 22,411 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (6%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 743 |
| State wildlife management areas | 609 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Blakesley WMA?
In Grant County, near Herman. The DNR's directions: From Herman, go 2 1/2 miles E on SH 27 then 2 miles N on CSAH 9.
Which deer permit area is Blakesley WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 272. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Blakesley WMA?
1,352 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Blakesley WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Helsene WMA (0.5 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Blakesley 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.