Hole-In-Mountain Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Hole-In-Mountain Wildlife Management Area is 638 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Lincoln County, near Lake Benton, inside Deer Permit Area 294. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, mourning doves 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 areasWalk-In AccessHole-In-Mountain WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 638 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Lincoln County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 294 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants, mourning doves and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Lake Benton |
| DNR area office | Marshall |
| Nearest towns | Lake Benton (2 mi), Tyler (8 mi) and Ruthton (10 mi) |
What is Hole-In-Mountain WMA like?
This WMA consists of two separate tracts that are grass/open lands mixed with some wetlands and some native prairie.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Hole-In-Mountain WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, mourning doves and small game for Hole-In-Mountain WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Hole-In-Mountain WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Hole-In-Mountain WMA?
Hole-In-Mountain WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 294. The DNR registered 472 deer in DPA 294 in 2025, against 462 in 2024.
| DPA | Hole-In-Mountain WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 294 | 638 | 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 Hole-In-Mountain WMA?
From Lake Benton, go 2 miles S on US 75.
Nearest towns: Lake Benton (2 miles), Tyler (8 miles), Ruthton (10 miles) and Holland (10 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 75 and US 14. 4 Walk-In Access sites within 3 miles.
What other public land is near Hole-In-Mountain WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Altona WMA: 636 acres, 0.5 miles away
- Schindel WMA: 156 acres, 2.2 miles away
- Coteau Pit WMA: 81 acres, 2.9 miles away
- Sioux Lookout WMA: 83 acres, 3.4 miles away
- Winter WMA: 975 acres, 4.4 miles away
- Chen Bay WMA: 414 acres, 5.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Hole-In-Mountain WMA
Counting Hole-In-Mountain WMA itself, 1,444 of the 28,553 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (5.1%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 1,444 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Hole-In-Mountain WMA?
In Lincoln County, near Lake Benton. The DNR's directions: From Lake Benton, go 2 miles S on US 75.
Which deer permit area is Hole-In-Mountain WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 294. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Hole-In-Mountain WMA?
1,444 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Hole-In-Mountain WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Altona WMA (0.5 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Hole-In-Mountain 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.