Florian Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Florian Wildlife Management Area is 1,528 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Marshall County, near Florian, inside Deer Permit Area 264. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, sharp-tailed grouse, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 1,995 deer in DPA 264 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 parksFlorian WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 1,528 acres in 3 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Marshall County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 264 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, sharp-tailed grouse, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Florian |
| DNR area office | Karlstad |
| Nearest towns | Strandquist (4 mi), Karlstad (7 mi) and Newfolden (10 mi) |
What is Florian WMA like?
This unit has a variety of habitats including emergent wetland, aspen woodland, oak savannas, dry prairie, and lowland shrubland. A beach ridge, remnant from the receding of Glacial Lake Agassiz, runs through the western edge of the unit.
Management is directed toward maintaining the mosaic of habitat that currently exists and rejuvenating the oak savannas. Grazing and prescribed burning are two techniques used to achieve these management goals. A number of rare bird species have been identified on this unit including Wilson's Phalarope, marbled godwit, and American bittern. One primitive campsite exists on the unit.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Florian WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, sharp-tailed grouse, bear and small game for Florian WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Florian WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Florian WMA?
Florian WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 264. The DNR registered 1,995 deer in DPA 264 in 2025, against 2,007 in 2024.
| DPA | Florian WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 264 | 1,528 | 1,995 | 2,007 | 1,770 |
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 Florian WMA?
From Florian, go 3 miles E on CSAH 6.
Nearest towns: Strandquist (4 miles), Karlstad (7 miles), Newfolden (10 miles) and Argyle (13 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 59.
What other public land is near Florian WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Wright WMA: 393 acres, 1 mile away
- Alces WMA: 75 acres, 1.9 miles away
- Adolf Elseth Memorial WMA: 44 acres, 3.8 miles away
- West Valley WMA: 247 acres, 4.5 miles away
- Deerwood WMA: 322 acres, 4.8 miles away
- East Park WMA: 10,420 acres, 6.4 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Florian WMA
Counting Florian WMA itself, 2,232 of the 43,813 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (5.1%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 1,996 |
| State parks | 236 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Florian WMA?
In Marshall County, near Florian. The DNR's directions: From Florian, go 3 miles E on CSAH 6.
Which deer permit area is Florian WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 264. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Florian WMA?
2,232 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Florian WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Wright WMA (1 mile).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Florian 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.