Devils Playground Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Devils Playground Wildlife Management Area is 1,459 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Kittson County, near Karlstad, inside Deer Permit Area 263. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, sharp-tailed grouse and small game for it. Hunters registered 1,024 deer in DPA 263 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 areasDevils Playground WMACounty lineHighway
| Size | 1,459 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Kittson County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 263 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, sharp-tailed grouse and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Karlstad |
| DNR area office | Karlstad |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Halma (next to it), Karlstad (3 mi) and Lake Bronson (7 mi) |
What is Devils Playground WMA like?
WMA has 1400 managed acres. Of that 880 acres of State Trust land that needs to be acquired. The Vegetation is a mosaic of aspen timber, willow brush, wet native prairie, and wetlands. Fire will be the major management tool used.
This unit's name was the name given to this general area because of the ease of getting turned around and lost. A compass is recommended. Winter snowmobiling is available. Spring is an excellent time of year to view migrating waterfowl and sandhill cranes. Unique prairie plants exist in the summer, Fall hunting opportunities are excellent.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Devils Playground WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, sharp-tailed grouse and small game for Devils Playground WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Devils Playground WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Devils Playground WMA: Access is poor but possible from roads on the north and south sides. Access roads on the west and east sides have been eliminated by adjacent landowners. A groomed snowmobile trail is on the south side.
How many deer are taken around Devils Playground WMA?
Devils Playground WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 263. The DNR registered 1,024 deer in DPA 263 in 2025, against 920 in 2024.
| DPA | Devils Playground WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 263 | 1,459 | 1,024 | 920 | 1,029 |
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 Devils Playground WMA?
From Karlstad, go 2 mi N on Co Rd 14, 0.5 mi W on Twp Rd.
Nearest towns: Halma (next to it), Karlstad (3 miles), Lake Bronson (7 miles) and Strandquist (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 59 and MN 11.
What other public land is near Devils Playground WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Twin Lakes WMA: 8,867 acres, 1.2 miles away
- Pelan WMA: 3,637 acres, 2.2 miles away
- Halma Swamp WMA: 3,029 acres, 3 miles away
- Deerwood WMA: 322 acres, 3.5 miles away
- Beaches Lake WMA: 30,601 acres, 6.6 miles away
- Lind WMA: 653 acres, 8.2 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Devils Playground WMA
Counting Devils Playground WMA itself, 4,035 of the 37,601 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (10.7%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 4,035 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Devils Playground WMA?
In Kittson County, near Karlstad. The DNR's directions: From Karlstad, go 2 mi N on Co Rd 14, 0.5 mi W on Twp Rd.
Which deer permit area is Devils Playground WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 263. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Devils Playground WMA?
4,035 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Devils Playground WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Twin Lakes WMA (1.2 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Devils Playground 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.