Firebird Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Firebird Wildlife Management Area is 728 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Carlton County, near Kettle River, inside Deer Permit Area 156. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 1,900 deer in DPA 156 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 landFirebird WMACounty lineHighway
| Size | 728 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Carlton County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 156 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Kettle River |
| DNR area office | Cloquet |
| Nearest towns | Kettle River (3 mi), Moose Lake (9 mi) and Sturgeon Lake (10 mi) |
What is Firebird WMA like?
This Wildlife Management Area hosts a variety of wildlife species that utilize the grassland, brushland, and the forested habitats found within it. The majority of this WMA consists of grassland and brushland habitats. Mixed forest types include quaking aspen, paper birch, bur oak, red maple, and ash. The forested acres can be found in the southern 130 acres of the unit. The topography on this WMA is generally flat, but elevation gently slops down as you travel south towards the Dead Moose River that transects the southern most 40 acres of the WMA.
The open landscapes found on this WMA are managed for grassland and brushland wildlife species through strategic habitat management practices including prescribed fire, brush mowing, and grassland restoration. Forested habitats are managed through timber stand improvement projects and timber harvest for the benefit of forest wildlife species.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Firebird WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Firebird WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Firebird WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Firebird WMA?
Firebird WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 156. The DNR registered 1,900 deer in DPA 156 in 2025, against 1,594 in 2024.
| DPA | Firebird WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 156 | 728 | 1,900 | 1,594 | 1,299 |
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 Firebird WMA?
From Kettle River travel approximately 4 miles north on Highway 73 to WMA parking lot found on the West side of the highway.
There are 3 parking lots located on this WMA for easy public access. There is one parking lot located on Highway 73 to access the eastern unit, a parking lot located on County Road 6 for access the NW unit, and a parking lot located on Leppioja Road to access the southern unit of the WMA.
Nearest towns: Kettle River (3 miles), Moose Lake (9 miles), Sturgeon Lake (10 miles) and Wright (10 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 73 and MN 27.
What other public land is near Firebird WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Salo Marsh WMA: 2,036 acres, 6.8 miles away
- Kettle Lake WMA: 1,313 acres, 8 miles away
- Mervin WMA: 242 acres, 8.6 miles away
- Sturgeon Lake WMA: 160 acres, 8.9 miles away
- Moose Lake WMA: 47 acres, 9.7 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Firebird WMA
Counting Firebird WMA itself, 1,446 of the 29,431 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (4.9%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 728 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 718 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Firebird WMA?
In Carlton County, near Kettle River. The DNR's directions: From Kettle River travel approximately 4 miles north on Highway 73 to WMA parking lot found on the West side of the highway.
Which deer permit area is Firebird WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 156. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Firebird WMA?
1,446 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Firebird WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 5 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Salo Marsh WMA (6.8 miles).
Get a Minnesota hunt plan when they open
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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, Firebird 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.