Farwell Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Farwell Wildlife Management Area is 173 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Pope County, near Farwell, inside Deer Permit Area 273. The DNR's WMA data lists pheasants and ducks and geese for it. Hunters registered 1,013 deer in DPA 273 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 areasNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasFarwell WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 173 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Pope County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 273 |
| DNR lists for hunting | pheasants and ducks and geese |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Farwell |
| DNR area office | Fergus Falls |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Farwell (next to it), Kensington (4 mi) and Lowry (5 mi) |
What is Farwell WMA like?
This unit has a productive mixture of upland grasses, emergent wetlands, open water, and lowland shrubs that form a mosaic of cover with numerous edge areas. Managed to provide habitat for nesting pheasants and waterfowl. This unit has a productive mixture of upland grasses, emergent wetlands, open water, and lowland shrubs that form a mosaic of cover with numerous edge areas. Managed to provide habitat for nesting and migrating waterfowl.
The unit provides excellent nesting and winter cover that is attractive to many species of prairie wildlife. This unit has exceptional habitat diversity. Remnants of native grasses and wildflowers exist on the WMA. Look for prairie migrants, painted turtles and frogs. Deer hunting opportunities are limited. Trappers will find raccoon, mink, coyote, and fox. Explore the area on cross-country skis.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Farwell WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists pheasants and ducks and geese for Farwell WMA. Each follows the statewide season.
What are the rules on Farwell WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Farwell WMA: There are no maintained hiking trails.
How many deer are taken around Farwell WMA?
Farwell WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 273. The DNR registered 1,013 deer in DPA 273 in 2025, against 978 in 2024.
| DPA | Farwell WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 273 | 173 | 1,013 | 978 | 968 |
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 Farwell WMA?
From Farwell, go 1 mile SW on CO RD 77.
Nearest towns: Farwell (next to it), Kensington (4 miles), Lowry (5 miles) and Cyrus (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 55 and MN 114.
What other public land is near Farwell WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Wade WMA: 84 acres, 2.1 miles away
- Hegg Lake WMA: 380 acres, 2.6 miles away
- Lowry WMA: 252 acres, 3.4 miles away
- Nora WMA: 270 acres, 3.6 miles away
- Kensington WMA: 100 acres, 3.7 miles away
- Chermak WMA: 40 acres, 4.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Farwell WMA
Counting Farwell WMA itself, 2,033 of the 28,232 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (7.2%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 1,680 |
| State wildlife management areas | 353 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Farwell WMA?
In Pope County, near Farwell. The DNR's directions: From Farwell, go 1 mile SW on CO RD 77.
Which deer permit area is Farwell WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 273. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Farwell WMA?
2,033 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Farwell WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Wade WMA (2.1 miles).
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Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Minnesota included.
Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Farwell 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.