Four Brooks Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Four Brooks Wildlife Management Area is 4,201 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Mille Lacs County, near Onamia, inside Deer Permit Area 222. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 3,420 deer in DPA 222 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 landOther federal landFour Brooks WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 4,201 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Mille Lacs County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 222 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Onamia |
| DNR area office | Mille Lacs WMA |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Hillman (7 mi), Onamia (8 mi) and Milaca (12 mi) |
What is Four Brooks WMA like?
Four Brooks WMA was established in January 2001. Sixty percent of the WMA is forested, with the remainder of the area being wetlands, bogs and brushland. Forests are managed for all wildlife species, including deer, grouse and woodcock.
The eastern-most section of the WMA is utilized by the Minnesota Federation of Field Trial Clubs for field trialing and training. A Grant-In-Aid snowmobile trail traverses the WMA, connecting west central Mille Lacs County to adjacent trail systems.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Four Brooks WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Four Brooks WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Four Brooks WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Four Brooks WMA: Timber harvesting and trapping by allowed by special permit only.
How many deer are taken around Four Brooks WMA?
Four Brooks WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 222. The DNR registered 3,420 deer in DPA 222 in 2025, against 3,270 in 2024.
| DPA | Four Brooks WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 222 | 4,201 | 3,420 | 3,270 | 2,734 |
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 Four Brooks WMA?
From Onamia, travel 8.5 miles south on US Highway 169.
Wheelchair access is limited to adjacent county roads and gravel parking areas, which may be muddy during wet weather.
Nearest towns: Hillman (7 miles), Onamia (8 miles), Milaca (12 miles) and Bock (12 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 169.
What other public land is near Four Brooks WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Mille Lacs WMA: 38,708 acres, 1.9 miles away
- Ivan Jindra Memorial WMA: 243 acres, 5.4 miles away
- Adams WMA: 81 acres, 6.9 miles away
- Groundhouse WMA: 162 acres, 7.6 miles away
- Onamia Lake WMA: 77 acres, 9.5 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Four Brooks WMA
Counting Four Brooks WMA itself, 8,770 of the 49,124 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (17.9%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 5,182 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 3,588 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Four Brooks WMA?
In Mille Lacs County, near Onamia. The DNR's directions: From Onamia, travel 8.5 miles south on US Highway 169.
Which deer permit area is Four Brooks WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 222. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Four Brooks WMA?
8,770 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Four Brooks WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 5 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Mille Lacs WMA (1.9 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, Four Brooks 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.