Freemont Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Freemont Wildlife Management Area is 181 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Sherburne County, near Zimmerman, inside Deer Permit Area 223. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 2,839 deer in DPA 223 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 landNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasCounty, city and regional landLand trusts and other open landFreemont WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 181 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Sherburne County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 223 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Zimmerman |
| DNR area office | Sauk Rapids |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Zimmerman (next to it), Elk River (7 mi) and Princeton (8 mi) |
What is Freemont WMA like?
North Unit: Area is mostly burr/pin oak forest community with scattered openings. A larger sedge/cattail wetland flanks the border. South Unit: Area is approximately 1/3 remnant prairie, 1/3 wetland, and 1/3 burr/pin oak forest.
The original prairie component on the south unit is very noteworthy and offers visitors a view into the past. The City of Zimmerman is expanding the developed portion of the city up to and around the 2 units. These are wonderful areas to explore.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Freemont WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Freemont WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Freemont WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Freemont WMA: The Freemont Wildlife Management Area (WMA) south unit is within the city limits of Zimmerman, which has a shooting restriction ordinance in place and as of 2003, only archery hunting is allowed. The Freemont WMA north unit was annexed within the city limits of Zimmerman in 2021, which has a shooting restriction ordinance in place and only archery hunting is allowed throughout the entire WMA.
How many deer are taken around Freemont WMA?
Freemont WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 223. The DNR registered 2,839 deer in DPA 223 in 2025, against 2,808 in 2024.
| DPA | Freemont WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 223 | 181 | 2,839 | 2,808 | 2,249 |
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 Freemont WMA?
North 50 acre unit: 1 mile west of Zimmerman within Section 7, T. 34 N., R. 26 W. South 120 acre unit: 1 mile south of Zimmerman within Section 17, T. 34 N., R. 26 W.
Wheelchair access is limited to public roads. There are no designated parking lots on the north or south WMA units.
Nearest towns: Zimmerman (next to it), Elk River (7 miles), Princeton (8 miles) and Big Lake (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 169.
What other public land is near Freemont WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Vietnam Veterans WMA: 79 acres, 4.2 miles away
- Crooked Road WMA: 390 acres, 7.3 miles away
- Kunkel WMA: 2,759 acres, 7.7 miles away
- Carl E. Bonnell WMA: 78 acres, 8.2 miles away
- Spencer Brook WMA: 310 acres, 8.6 miles away
- Santiago WMA: 81 acres, 9.6 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Freemont WMA
Counting Freemont WMA itself, 6,288 of the 25,856 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (24.3%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 4,484 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 1,465 |
| State wildlife management areas | 184 |
| County, city and regional land | 153 |
| Land trusts and other open land | 2 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Freemont WMA?
In Sherburne County, near Zimmerman. The DNR's directions: North 50 acre unit: 1 mile west of Zimmerman within Section 7, T. 34 N., R. 26 W. South 120 acre unit: 1 mile south of Zimmerman within Section 17, T. 34 N., R. 26 W.
Which deer permit area is Freemont WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 223. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Freemont WMA?
6,288 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Freemont WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Vietnam Veterans WMA (4.2 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, Freemont 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.