Dorr Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Dorr Wildlife Management Area is 378 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Polk County, near Erskine, inside Deer Permit Area 257. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 979 deer in DPA 257 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 areasDorr WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 378 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Polk County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 257 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Erskine |
| DNR area office | Thief River Falls |
| Nearest towns | Erskine (3 mi), Mentor (5 mi) and Winger (7 mi) |
What is Dorr WMA like?
This WMA is a mixture of lakes, wetlands, hardwood forest, brushlands, and grassland. Management emphasis is to preserve and manage these habitats for wildlife as well as enhance the riparian areas along three adjacent lakes.
The unit includes parts of Leo, Island, and Dorr Lakes. Parking is on the east side, with trail access from there. Trails are kept open for hiking, skiing, and lake access. The mature maple, basswood and oak timber is rare for this area. Look for associated old growth forest species such as pileated woodpeckers and vireos. Fall colors are excellent.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Dorr WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Dorr WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Dorr WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Dorr WMA?
Dorr WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 257. The DNR registered 979 deer in DPA 257 in 2025, against 928 in 2024.
| DPA | Dorr WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 257 | 378 | 979 | 928 | 872 |
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 Dorr WMA?
From Erskine, go 2 1/2 miles S on CSAH 34 then 1 1/2 miles W on CSAH 41 then 1 mile W on TWP RD.
Access is available on the east side of the unit. A parking area with a routed wood unit sign is located on the east side of the unit.
Nearest towns: Erskine (3 miles), Mentor (5 miles), Winger (7 miles) and McIntosh (8 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 2 and US 59.
What other public land is near Dorr WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Bee Lake WMA: 121 acres, 0.9 miles away
- Erskine WMA: 1,220 acres, 3.1 miles away
- Polk WMA: 2,762 acres, 4 miles away
- Kakaik WMA: 204 acres, 4.2 miles away
- Woodside WMA: 79 acres, 4.9 miles away
- Rindahl WMA: 82 acres, 5.2 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Dorr WMA
Counting Dorr WMA itself, 4,572 of the 26,985 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (16.9%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 4,065 |
| State wildlife management areas | 506 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 1 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Dorr WMA?
In Polk County, near Erskine. The DNR's directions: From Erskine, go 2 1/2 miles S on CSAH 34 then 1 1/2 miles W on CSAH 41 then 1 mile W on TWP RD.
Which deer permit area is Dorr WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 257. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Dorr WMA?
4,572 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Dorr WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Bee Lake WMA (0.9 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Dorr 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.