Bowstring Deer Yard Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Bowstring Deer Yard Wildlife Management Area is 771 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Itasca County, near Deer River, inside Deer Permit Area 197. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 1,098 deer in DPA 197 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 forestBowstring Deer Yard WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 771 acres in 6 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Itasca County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 197 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Deer River |
| DNR area office | Grand Rapids |
| Nearest towns | Inger (6 mi), Ball Club (9 mi) and Deer River (10 mi) |
What is Bowstring Deer Yard WMA like?
This WMA consists of 2 parcels that are four miles apart. Both are situated within deer wintering areas and their primary purpose is to preserve and enhance habitat for deer during severe winters.
Both units have hunter walking trails that extend onto other public lands open to hunting. The WMA is open to hunting and trapping. The 2 forty acre parcels in section 7 were purchased by the Izaac Walton League from Itasca County and donated to the MN DNR. The 160 acres in section 16 were donated by the Egg Lake Conservation Club in 1993. Habitat management is accomplished through commercial timber harvests, and shearing lowland brush to improve browse which also helps woodcock and ruffed grouse.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Bowstring Deer Yard WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Bowstring Deer Yard WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Bowstring Deer Yard WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Bowstring Deer Yard WMA?
Bowstring Deer Yard WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 197. The DNR registered 1,098 deer in DPA 197 in 2025, against 831 in 2024.
| DPA | Bowstring Deer Yard WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 197 | 771 | 1,098 | 831 | 871 |
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 Bowstring Deer Yard WMA?
From Deer River, go 8 miles north on State Highway 6, 2.5 miles west on County Road 37, then 1.5 miles north on County Road 153 to section 7. For Sec 16, From Deer River, go 12 miles north on State Highway 46, then 1.5 miles east on County Road 37.
Nearest towns: Inger (6 miles), Ball Club (9 miles), Deer River (10 miles) and Zemple (11 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 46 and MN 6.
What other public land is near Bowstring Deer Yard WMA?
Public land within 3 miles of Bowstring Deer Yard WMA
Counting Bowstring Deer Yard WMA itself, 29,134 of the 43,810 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (66.5%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State forest and other DNR land | 15,755 |
| National forest | 12,600 |
| State wildlife management areas | 779 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Bowstring Deer Yard WMA?
In Itasca County, near Deer River. The DNR's directions: From Deer River, go 8 miles north on State Highway 6, 2.5 miles west on County Road 37, then 1.5 miles north on County Road 153 to section 7. For Sec 16, From Deer River, go 12 miles north on State Highway 46, then 1.5 miles east on County Road 37.
Which deer permit area is Bowstring Deer Yard WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 197. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Bowstring Deer Yard WMA?
29,134 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Bowstring Deer Yard WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1.
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Bowstring Deer Yard 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.