Hay Point Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Hay Point Wildlife Management Area is 350 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Aitkin County, near Hill City, inside Deer Permit Area 171. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 1,165 deer in DPA 171 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 landHay Point WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 350 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Aitkin County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 171 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Hill City |
| DNR area office | Aitkin |
| Nearest towns | Hill City (7 mi), Palisade (12 mi) and Emily (18 mi) |
What is Hay Point WMA like?
This WMA consists of grassy upland fields interspersed in aspen, oak, basswood and black ash woods. The unit adjoins and provides access to Moose Lake. Moose Lake is not in the WMA.
This WMA is managed for forest wildlife such as deer, bear, ruffed grouse, woodcock and forest songbirds. This WMA is within the Hill River State Forest. WMA rules apply. Watch out for trumpeter swans during waterfowl season. Do not drive on fields. Provides access to Moose Lake for ricing and waterfowl hunting. Trumpeter swans have nested on Moose Lake. Deer, bear, gray squirrels, woodcock, blue-winged teal, pileated woodpeckers, Canada warbler, and American redstart may use this WMA.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Hay Point WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Hay Point WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Hay Point WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Hay Point WMA?
Hay Point WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 171. The DNR registered 1,165 deer in DPA 171 in 2025, against 1,068 in 2024.
| DPA | Hay Point WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 171 | 350 | 1,165 | 1,068 | 819 |
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 Hay Point WMA?
From Hill City go 7.5 miles S. on Hwy. 169, W. side of Hwy.
Wheelchair access is limited to the graveled access road into the unit.
Nearest towns: Hill City (7 miles), Palisade (12 miles), Emily (18 miles) and Remer (18 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 169.
What other public land is near Hay Point WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Moose Willow WMA: 16,957 acres, 2.5 miles away
- Willowsippi WMA: 1,693 acres, 5.6 miles away
- Little Hill River WMA: 274 acres, 9.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Hay Point WMA
Counting Hay Point WMA itself, 13,483 of the 24,218 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (55.7%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State forest and other DNR land | 12,789 |
| State wildlife management areas | 694 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Hay Point WMA?
In Aitkin County, near Hill City. The DNR's directions: From Hill City go 7.5 miles S. on Hwy. 169, W. side of Hwy.
Which deer permit area is Hay Point WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 171. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Hay Point WMA?
13,483 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Hay Point WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 3 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Moose Willow WMA (2.5 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Hay Point 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.