Harold and Marie Deutsch Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Harold and Marie Deutsch Wildlife Management Area is 314 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Crow Wing County, near Garrison, inside Deer Permit Area 249. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 3,126 deer in DPA 249 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 parksHarold and Marie Deutsch WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 314 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Crow Wing County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 249 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Garrison |
| DNR area office | Brainerd |
| Nearest towns | Vineland (3 mi), Garrison (5 mi) and Harding (12 mi) |
What is Harold and Marie Deutsch WMA like?
The initial acquisition for this wildlife management area was made possible through a Reinvest in Minnesota land gift from Harold and Marie Deutsch. This unit has a variety of habitats including oak and aspen forest, grassland, wetland, tamarack and black spruce swamp.
There is one parking lot that leads to a short hunter walking trail.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Harold and Marie Deutsch WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Harold and Marie Deutsch WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Harold and Marie Deutsch WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Harold and Marie Deutsch WMA?
Harold and Marie Deutsch WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 249. The DNR registered 3,126 deer in DPA 249 in 2025, against 2,772 in 2024.
| DPA | Harold and Marie Deutsch WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 249 | 314 | 3,126 | 2,772 | 2,539 |
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 Harold and Marie Deutsch WMA?
From Garrison, S. on St. Hwy. 169 6.1 miles, W. on Co. Rd. 25 (which turns into Crow Wing Co. Rd. 2) 1.7 miles, short WMA access trail to parking lot is on N. side of Co. Rd.
Nearest towns: Vineland (3 miles), Garrison (5 miles), Harding (12 miles) and Onamia (12 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 169.
What other public land is near Harold and Marie Deutsch WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- White Fish Lake WMA: 58 acres, 0.9 miles away
- Roosevelt WMA: 80 acres, 3.2 miles away
- Round-Rice Bed WMA: 979 acres, 6.2 miles away
- Richardson WMA: 325 acres, 7.4 miles away
- Hesitation WMA: 370 acres, 7.7 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Harold and Marie Deutsch WMA
Counting Harold and Marie Deutsch WMA itself, 1,181 of the 25,007 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (4.7%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State forest and other DNR land | 739 |
| State wildlife management areas | 442 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Harold and Marie Deutsch WMA?
In Crow Wing County, near Garrison. The DNR's directions: From Garrison, S. on St. Hwy. 169 6.1 miles, W. on Co. Rd. 25 (which turns into Crow Wing Co. Rd. 2) 1.7 miles, short WMA access trail to parking lot is on N. side of Co. Rd.
Which deer permit area is Harold and Marie Deutsch WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 249. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Harold and Marie Deutsch WMA?
1,181 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Harold and Marie Deutsch WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 5 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest White Fish Lake WMA (0.9 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Harold and Marie Deutsch 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.