Cromwell Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Cromwell Wildlife Management Area is 287 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Clay County, near Hitterdal, inside Deer Permit Area 666. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game for it. Hunters registered 686 deer in DPA 666 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 areasCromwell WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 287 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Clay County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 666 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Hitterdal |
| DNR area office | Detroit Lakes |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Hitterdal (2 mi), Hawley (6 mi) and Ulen (7 mi) |
What can you hunt on Cromwell WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game for Cromwell WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Cromwell WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Cromwell WMA: This WMA is a state duck refuge closed to trespass from Sept 1 through the close of the regular waterfowl season.
How many deer are taken around Cromwell WMA?
Cromwell WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 666. The DNR registered 686 deer in DPA 666 in 2025.
| DPA | Cromwell WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| DPA 666 | 287 | 686 |
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 Cromwell WMA?
From Hitterdal, go 2 1/2 miles W on CSAH 26.
Nearest towns: Hitterdal (2 miles), Hawley (6 miles), Ulen (7 miles) and Felton (11 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 32.
What other public land is near Cromwell WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Aspen WMA: 40 acres, 2.2 miles away
- Hitterdahl WMA: 267 acres, 2.4 miles away
- Goose Prairie WMA: 641 acres, 2.9 miles away
- Jeral WMA: 75 acres, 3.8 miles away
- Highland Grove WMA: 80 acres, 4.3 miles away
- Gruhl WMA: 464 acres, 5.4 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Cromwell WMA
Counting Cromwell WMA itself, 2,472 of the 24,282 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 | 1,985 |
| State wildlife management areas | 487 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Cromwell WMA?
In Clay County, near Hitterdal. The DNR's directions: From Hitterdal, go 2 1/2 miles W on CSAH 26.
Which deer permit area is Cromwell WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 666. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Cromwell WMA?
2,472 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Cromwell WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Aspen WMA (2.2 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Cromwell 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.