Deer Run Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Deer Run Wildlife Management Area is 699 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Aitkin County, near Aitkin, inside Deer Permit Area 171. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game for it. Hunters registered 1,165 deer in DPA 171 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 landDeer Run WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 699 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Aitkin County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 171 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Aitkin |
| DNR area office | Aitkin |
| Nearest towns | Aitkin (5 mi), Palisade (11 mi) and Cuyuna (13 mi) |
What is Deer Run WMA like?
This WMA is a mixture of emergent wetland, lowland brushland, and young forest. It is managed to maintain early successional habitat for openland wildlife species such as sharp-tailed grouse.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Deer Run WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game for Deer Run WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Deer Run WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Deer Run WMA?
Deer Run WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 171. The DNR registered 1,165 deer in DPA 171 in 2025, against 1,068 in 2024.
| DPA | Deer Run WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 171 | 699 | 1,165 | 1,068 | 819 |
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 Deer Run WMA?
From Aitkin at the stoplight at the intersection of Highway 210 and County Highway 1, go north on County Highway 1 for 5.5 miles to arrive on the west side of the WMA.
Nearest towns: Aitkin (5 miles), Palisade (11 miles), Cuyuna (13 miles) and Deerwood (13 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 169, MN 210 and MN 47.
What other public land is near Deer Run WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Aitkin WMA: 3,415 acres, 2.3 miles away
- French Lake WMA: 537 acres, 4.6 miles away
- Little Willow River WMA: 1,861 acres, 5 miles away
- Gun Lake WMA: 830 acres, 7.3 miles away
- Newstrom Lake WMA: 796 acres, 7.4 miles away
- Cedar Lake WMA: 97 acres, 8.8 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Deer Run WMA
Counting Deer Run WMA itself, 6,211 of the 27,492 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (22.6%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State forest and other DNR land | 4,957 |
| State wildlife management areas | 1,254 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Deer Run WMA?
In Aitkin County, near Aitkin. The DNR's directions: From Aitkin at the stoplight at the intersection of Highway 210 and County Highway 1, go north on County Highway 1 for 5.5 miles to arrive on the west side of the WMA.
Which deer permit area is Deer Run WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 171. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Deer Run WMA?
6,211 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Deer Run WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Aitkin WMA (2.3 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Deer Run 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.