Davies Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Davies Wildlife Management Area is 390 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Otter Tail County, near Richville, inside Deer Permit Area 239. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game for it. Hunters registered 3,595 deer in DPA 239 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 areasOther federal landDavies WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 390 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Otter Tail County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 239 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Richville |
| DNR area office | Fergus Falls |
| Nearest towns | Richville (5 mi), Ottertail (6 mi) and Dent (7 mi) |
What can you hunt on Davies WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game for Davies WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Davies WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
The DNR's data marks part of Davies WMA as a wildlife sanctuary. Sanctuary ground is posted and closed to entry without DNR authorization.
How many deer are taken around Davies WMA?
Davies WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 239. The DNR registered 3,595 deer in DPA 239 in 2025, against 3,341 in 2024.
| DPA | Davies WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 239 | 390 | 3,595 | 3,341 | 3,185 |
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 Davies WMA?
From Richville, go 5 miles SW on CSAH 14 then 1 1/4 miles W on CSAH 32.
Best lake access is via Dead River off of Hwy 14 in the SE corner of the unit. Other access points include Hwy 2 on the north side, and Amor Township Road (trail) on the west side.
Nearest towns: Richville (5 miles), Ottertail (6 miles), Dent (7 miles) and Battle Lake (11 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 78.
What other public land is near Davies WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Amor WMA: 720 acres, 0.8 miles away
- Dead Lake WMA: 896 acres, 1.6 miles away
- Head Lake WMA: 421 acres, 4.5 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Davies WMA
Counting Davies WMA itself, 2,009 of the 25,490 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (7.9%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 1,999 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 10 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Davies WMA?
In Otter Tail County, near Richville. The DNR's directions: From Richville, go 5 miles SW on CSAH 14 then 1 1/4 miles W on CSAH 32.
Which deer permit area is Davies WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 239. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Davies WMA?
2,009 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Davies WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 3 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Amor WMA (0.8 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Davies 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.