Hesitation Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Hesitation Wildlife Management Area is 370 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Crow Wing County, near Brainerd, 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 landHesitation WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 370 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) | Brainerd |
| DNR area office | Brainerd |
| Nearest towns | Garrison (3 mi), Deerwood (9 mi) and Riverton (11 mi) |
What is Hesitation WMA like?
Hesitation WMA was established in 1976 to provide public access to Rice Lake (159 acres) and to manage and improve wildlife habitat on the south side of Rice Lake. WMA is primarily forested with a small wetland impoundment SE of the lake.
Access to Rice Lake is carry-in type only via over 200'+ of floating dock. The WMA consists of 270 acres of Crow Wing County land that are jointly managed by the County and State as part of this Wildlife Management Area.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Hesitation 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 Hesitation WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Hesitation WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Hesitation WMA?
Hesitation WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 249. The DNR registered 3,126 deer in DPA 249 in 2025, against 2,772 in 2024.
| DPA | Hesitation WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 249 | 370 | 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 Hesitation WMA?
From the junction of St. Hwys 18 & 25 on the SE side of Brainerd, E. on St. Hwy. 18 14.0 miles then S. on the Hesitation Road.5 miles to the public access on Rice Lake.
At the water access parking area, there is an accessible floating dock providing access and wildlife viewing opportunities for Rice Lake.
Nearest towns: Garrison (3 miles), Deerwood (9 miles), Riverton (11 miles) and Crosby (11 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 18 and US 169.
What other public land is near Hesitation WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Round-Rice Bed WMA: 979 acres, 1.3 miles away
- Farm Island Lake WMA: 35 acres, 6.3 miles away
- Harold & Marie Deutsch WMA: 314 acres, 7.7 miles away
- Ripple River WMA: 5,230 acres, 8.4 miles away
- Telef Paulson WMA: 40 acres, 8.4 miles away
- Loerch WMA: 207 acres, 9 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Hesitation WMA
Counting Hesitation WMA itself, 2,207 of the 26,604 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (8.3%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 1,372 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 835 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Hesitation WMA?
In Crow Wing County, near Brainerd. The DNR's directions: From the junction of St. Hwys 18 & 25 on the SE side of Brainerd, E. on St. Hwy. 18 14.0 miles then S. on the Hesitation Road.5 miles to the public access on Rice Lake.
Which deer permit area is Hesitation WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 249. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Hesitation WMA?
2,207 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Hesitation WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Round-Rice Bed WMA (1.3 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Hesitation 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.