Dr. Johan C. Hvoslef Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Dr. Johan C. Hvoslef Wildlife Management Area is 295 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Fillmore County, near Amherst, inside Deer Permit Area 648. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, mourning doves and small game for it. Hunters registered 1,763 deer in DPA 648 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 landDr. Johan C. Hvoslef WMACounty lineHighway
| Size | 295 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Fillmore County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 648 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, mourning doves and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Amherst |
| DNR area office | Rochester |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Canton (6 mi), Harmony (7 mi) and Mabel (8 mi) |
What is Dr. Johan C. Hvoslef WMA like?
Mixed hardwood hillsides of oak, hickory, maple, basswood, ash, walnut and conifer plantations. The south fork of the Root River dissects the south boundary of the unit.
Management emphasis is to maintain an unfragmented hardwood forest and upland bird habitat. Two parking lots exist on unit. The unit provides high quality spring and fall migration observations.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Dr. Johan C. Hvoslef WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, mourning doves and small game for Dr. Johan C. Hvoslef WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Dr. Johan C. Hvoslef WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Dr. Johan C. Hvoslef WMA: Public hunting shall be allowed on the property subject to the following restrictions: Spring turkey hunting shall be limited to archery hunting only. Fall hunting shall be limited to archery only from September 1 through October 31. Legal firearms hunting will be limited from November 1 through December 15. Firearms hunting shall be limited to shotgun and muzzleloader. No permanent tree stands or platforms shall be permitted at any time.
How many deer are taken around Dr. Johan C. Hvoslef WMA?
Dr. Johan C. Hvoslef WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 648. The DNR registered 1,763 deer in DPA 648 in 2025, against 1,789 in 2024.
| DPA | Dr. Johan C. Hvoslef WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 648 | 295 | 1,763 | 1,789 | 1,669 |
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 Dr. Johan C. Hvoslef WMA?
From Amherst, go 0.75 mile E on Twp. Rd.
Access from Deer road that divides the WMA.
Nearest towns: Canton (6 miles), Harmony (7 miles), Mabel (8 miles) and Lanesboro (8 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 43.
What other public land is near Dr. Johan C. Hvoslef WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Choice WMA: 1,665 acres, 4.3 miles away
- Yucatan WMA: 967 acres, 7.8 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Dr. Johan C. Hvoslef WMA
Counting Dr. Johan C. Hvoslef WMA itself, 1,351 of the 26,083 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (5.2%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State forest and other DNR land | 856 |
| State wildlife management areas | 495 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Dr. Johan C. Hvoslef WMA?
In Fillmore County, near Amherst. The DNR's directions: From Amherst, go 0.75 mile E on Twp. Rd.
Which deer permit area is Dr. Johan C. Hvoslef WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 648. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Dr. Johan C. Hvoslef WMA?
1,351 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Dr. Johan C. Hvoslef WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 2 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Choice WMA (4.3 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Dr. Johan C. Hvoslef 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.