Hovland Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Hovland Wildlife Management Area is 220 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Polk County, near Fosston, inside Deer Permit Area 210. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 1,487 deer in DPA 210 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 areasHovland WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 220 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Polk County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 210 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Fosston |
| DNR area office | Thief River Falls |
| Nearest towns | Fosston (4 mi), Lengby (5 mi) and Ebro (9 mi) |
What is Hovland WMA like?
This WMA is a habitat complex of marsh surrounded by timber, brush, and grassland. The marsh is managed by a new water control structure installed in October 2017. Timber is managed through commercial logging and firewood cuts. Grassland is managed through fire and mowing.
Good habitat diversity provides excellent hunting, trapping, and wildlife viewing opportunities, all within a short drive of Fosston. Timber was commercially logged in 2005. Opportunities are good to see breeding and migrating waterfowl. Trumpeter swans have been observed. Year round wildlife observation is possible - bring your snowshoes in the winter.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Hovland WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Hovland WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Hovland WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Hovland WMA?
Hovland WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 210. The DNR registered 1,487 deer in DPA 210 in 2025, against 1,331 in 2024.
| DPA | Hovland WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 210 | 220 | 1,487 | 1,331 | 1,383 |
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 Hovland WMA?
From Fosston, travel 3 miles S on CSAH 6.
Access is provided via a township road on the south boundary with a pull-off near the center of the south side. The road is wide enough for parking off to the side also.
Nearest towns: Fosston (4 miles), Lengby (5 miles), Ebro (9 miles) and Pine Bend (10 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 2.
What other public land is near Hovland WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Hasselton WMA: 216 acres, 0.8 miles away
- La Voi WMA: 50 acres, 1.7 miles away
- Rosebud WMA: 46 acres, 1.8 miles away
- Lengby WMA: 130 acres, 3.3 miles away
- Sagaiigan WMA: 178 acres, 3.7 miles away
- Kroening WMA: 21 acres, 3.9 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Hovland WMA
Counting Hovland WMA itself, 1,778 of the 23,185 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (7.7%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 1,245 |
| State wildlife management areas | 533 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Hovland WMA?
In Polk County, near Fosston. The DNR's directions: From Fosston, travel 3 miles S on CSAH 6.
Which deer permit area is Hovland WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 210. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Hovland WMA?
1,778 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Hovland WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Hasselton WMA (0.8 miles).
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Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Minnesota included.
Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Hovland 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.