Hitterdahl Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Hitterdahl Wildlife Management Area is 267 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Clay County, near Hitterdal, inside Deer Permit Area 666. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, mourning doves and small game for it. Hunters registered 686 deer in DPA 666 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 areasNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasHitterdahl WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 267 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Clay County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 666 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, mourning doves and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Hitterdal |
| DNR area office | Detroit Lakes |
| Nearest towns | Hitterdal (2 mi), Hawley (5 mi) and Lake Park (8 mi) |
What can you hunt on Hitterdahl WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, mourning doves and small game for Hitterdahl WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Hitterdahl WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Hitterdahl WMA?
Hitterdahl WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 666. The DNR registered 686 deer in DPA 666 in 2025.
| DPA | Hitterdahl WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| DPA 666 | 267 | 686 |
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 Hitterdahl WMA?
From Hitterdal, go 2 miles S on SH 32.
Access on west side of unit is off of Highway 32, and access to SE corner of lake is off 270th St. N.
Nearest towns: Hitterdal (2 miles), Hawley (5 miles), Lake Park (8 miles) and Ulen (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 32 and US 10.
What other public land is near Hitterdahl WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Highland Grove WMA: 80 acres, 1.1 miles away
- Cromwell WMA: 287 acres, 2.4 miles away
- Goose Prairie WMA: 641 acres, 2.9 miles away
- Melbye WMA: 80 acres, 3.5 miles away
- Aspen WMA: 40 acres, 4 miles away
- Atlanta WMA: 182 acres, 4.1 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Hitterdahl WMA
Counting Hitterdahl WMA itself, 2,833 of the 24,310 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (11.7%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 2,272 |
| State wildlife management areas | 561 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Hitterdahl WMA?
In Clay County, near Hitterdal. The DNR's directions: From Hitterdal, go 2 miles S on SH 32.
Which deer permit area is Hitterdahl WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 666. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Hitterdahl WMA?
2,833 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Hitterdahl WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Highland Grove WMA (1.1 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Hitterdahl 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.