Halma Swamp Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Halma Swamp Wildlife Management Area is 3,029 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Kittson County, near Halma, inside Deer Permit Area 263. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, sharp-tailed grouse, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 1,024 deer in DPA 263 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 landState parksHalma Swamp WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 3,029 acres in 3 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Kittson County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 263 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, sharp-tailed grouse, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Halma |
| DNR area office | Karlstad |
| Nearest towns | Halma (2 mi), Lake Bronson (3 mi) and Karlstad (7 mi) |
What is Halma Swamp WMA like?
Halma Swamp WMA is 3,000 acres. Mostly aspen forest and lowland willow brushland, Halma Swamp WMA offers good woodland habitat for wildlife. The primary management of the area is for woodland wildlife species. Halma Swamp WMA is 3,000 acres. Mostly aspen forest and lowland willow brushland, Halma Swamp WMA offers good woodland habitat for wildlife. The rank willow and mature timber will be cut to provide young plants for deer, moose, woodcock & ruffed grouse. Halma Swamp WMA is 3,000 acres. Mostly aspen forest and lowland willow brushland, Halma Swamp WMA offers good woodland habitat for wildlife. The brush and mature timber will be managed, through commercial harvest and targeted brush cutting, to provide young plants (regeneration) for deer, moose, woodcock & ruffed grouse.
The rank willow and mature timber will be cut to provide young plants for deer, moose, woodcock and ruffed grouse. The open areas on the east side are burned and managed for prairie and brushland species. The WMA area is open to public hunting, trapping, and other compatible recreational use. This could include hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and berry picking. The open areas on the east side are burned and managed for prairie and brushland species. The WMA area is open to public hunting, trapping and other compatible recreational use. This could include hiking,, snowshoeing, and berry picking Access is generally good with county and state highways along with several minimum maintenance township roads. A groomed snowmobile trail is adjacent to the south side.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Halma Swamp WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, sharp-tailed grouse, bear and small game for Halma Swamp WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Halma Swamp WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Halma Swamp WMA?
Halma Swamp WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 263. The DNR registered 1,024 deer in DPA 263 in 2025, against 920 in 2024.
| DPA | Halma Swamp WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 263 | 3,029 | 1,024 | 920 | 1,029 |
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 Halma Swamp WMA?
From Halma, go 3 miles W on CSAH 7.
Access is generally good with county and state highways along with several minimum maintenance township roads. There are two designated camping areas on the unit. A groomed snowmobile trail is adjacent to the south side.
Nearest towns: Halma (2 miles), Lake Bronson (3 miles), Karlstad (7 miles) and Donaldson (10 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 59 and MN 11.
What other public land is near Halma Swamp WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Devils Playground WMA: 1,459 acres, 3 miles away
- Pelan WMA: 3,637 acres, 5.6 miles away
- Percy WMA: 1,874 acres, 6.6 miles away
- Twin Lakes WMA: 8,867 acres, 6.9 miles away
- Deerwood WMA: 322 acres, 7.2 miles away
- Beaches Lake WMA: 30,601 acres, 7.2 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Halma Swamp WMA
Counting Halma Swamp WMA itself, 4,066 of the 47,162 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (8.6%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 3,029 |
| State parks | 1,037 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Halma Swamp WMA?
In Kittson County, near Halma. The DNR's directions: From Halma, go 3 miles W on CSAH 7.
Which deer permit area is Halma Swamp WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 263. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Halma Swamp WMA?
4,066 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Halma Swamp WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Devils Playground WMA (3 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Halma Swamp 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.