Horseshoe Bay Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Horseshoe Bay Wildlife Management Area is 276 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Cook County, near Hovland, inside Deer Permit Area 126. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 117 deer in DPA 126 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 forestHorseshoe Bay WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 276 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Cook County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 126 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Hovland |
| DNR area office | Two Harbors |
| Nearest towns | Grand Marais (19 mi) |
What is Horseshoe Bay WMA like?
This WMA consists of aspen-birch and spruce-fir forest which is primarily managed for deer and grouse habitat.
Timber harvest has been coordinated on this WMA to provide browse and cover for deer habitat. Park in parking lot accessed by pull-off on N side of Hwy 61. Old gravel pit road provides walking trail into heart of unit.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Horseshoe Bay WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Horseshoe Bay WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Horseshoe Bay WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Horseshoe Bay WMA?
Horseshoe Bay WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 126. The DNR registered 117 deer in DPA 126 in 2025, against 85 in 2024.
| DPA | Horseshoe Bay WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 126 | 276 | 117 | 85 | 62 |
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 Horseshoe Bay WMA?
From the junction with the Arrowhead Trail (Cook County #16) in Hovland, go 1.5 miles northeast on Minnesota Highway 61. Access the WMA via the forest access road on the northwest side of the highway.
Nearest towns: Grand Marais (19 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 61.
What other public land is near Horseshoe Bay WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Swamp River WMA: 2,600 acres, 3.5 miles away
- East Colvill WMA: 616 acres, 6.4 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Horseshoe Bay WMA
Counting Horseshoe Bay WMA itself, 3,535 of the 23,781 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (14.9%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National forest | 2,827 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 432 |
| State wildlife management areas | 276 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Horseshoe Bay WMA?
In Cook County, near Hovland. The DNR's directions: From the junction with the Arrowhead Trail (Cook County #16) in Hovland, go 1.5 miles northeast on Minnesota Highway 61. Access the WMA via the forest access road on the northwest side of the highway.
Which deer permit area is Horseshoe Bay WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 126. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Horseshoe Bay WMA?
3,535 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Horseshoe Bay WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 2 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Swamp River WMA (3.5 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Horseshoe Bay 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.