Hjermstad Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Hjermstad Wildlife Management Area is 266 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Murray County, near Ruthton, inside Deer Permit Area 294. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game for it. Hunters registered 472 deer in DPA 294 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 landNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasWalk-In AccessHjermstad WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 266 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Murray County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 294 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Ruthton |
| DNR area office | Slayton-Talcot Lake |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Ruthton (5 mi), Florence (5 mi) and Balaton (6 mi) |
What is Hjermstad WMA like?
This WMA is consists of two subunits. This subunit (named Dather Slough) is a small wetland with associated grassy uplands. This WMA is consists of two subunits. This East subunit contains 3 large permanent marshes and associated upland grassland and woody cover plantings.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Hjermstad WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game for Hjermstad WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Hjermstad WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Hjermstad WMA: Waterfowl hunters are advised to use a boat.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Hjermstad WMA: The property boundaries are extremely close to the water's edge. Waterfowl hunters are advised to use a boat.
How many deer are taken around Hjermstad WMA?
Hjermstad WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 294. The DNR registered 472 deer in DPA 294 in 2025, against 462 in 2024.
| DPA | Hjermstad WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 294 | 266 | 472 | 462 | 461 |
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 Hjermstad WMA?
From Ruthton, go 2 miles east on County Road 89 then 3 miles east on County Road 80. From Ruthton, go 2 miles east on County Road 89 then 5 miles east on County Road 80.
There is a carry-in water access to the wetland. There is a carry-in water access to Hjermstad Slough on the north end and a concrete access ramp to Current Lake on the south east end of this subunit.
Nearest towns: Ruthton (5 miles), Florence (5 miles), Balaton (6 miles) and Tyler (10 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 91, MN 23 and US 14. 1 Walk-In Access site within 3 miles.
What other public land is near Hjermstad WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Nelson WMA: 198 acres, next to it
- Ellsborough WMA: 80 acres, next to it
- Bergman WMA: 33 acres, 0.5 miles away
- Ruthton WMA: 294 acres, 0.6 miles away
- Shelburne WMA: 162 acres, 1 mile away
- Van Eck WMA: 77 acres, 1.5 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Hjermstad WMA
Counting Hjermstad WMA itself, 1,370 of the 31,206 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (4.4%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 1,150 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 220 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Hjermstad WMA?
In Murray County, near Ruthton. The DNR's directions: From Ruthton, go 2 miles east on County Road 89 then 3 miles east on County Road 80. From Ruthton, go 2 miles east on County Road 89 then 5 miles east on County Road 80.
Which deer permit area is Hjermstad WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 294. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Hjermstad WMA?
1,370 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Hjermstad WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Nelson WMA (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Hjermstad 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.