James B. Fern Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
James B. Fern Wildlife Management Area is 218 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Beltrami County, near Wilton, inside Deer Permit Area 684. 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 3,267 deer in DPA 684 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 landJames B. Fern WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 218 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Beltrami County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 684 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Wilton |
| DNR area office | Park Rapids |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Solway (9 mi), Wilton (10 mi) and Leonard (10 mi) |
What is James B. Fern WMA like?
This WMA is mixed pine and hardwoods in an agricultural and forested landscape. 69 acres of the unit is composed of 80-year old red and white pine forest, which has been nominated for designation as future old growth pine forest.
This WMA was established for protection of mixed white and red pine forest and for forest wildlife management. Ragged Lake lies on the east side of the unit. Parking area established off Preservation Drive. No public recreational vehicle use permitted. Adjoins large area of state tax forfeit land (north and east ) that is managed by Beltrami County. Deer, bear, ruffed grouse, and waterfowl (Ragged Lake) hunting opportunities exist along with wildlife observation opportunities.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on James B. Fern WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for James B. Fern WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on James B. Fern WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for James B. Fern WMA: Parking area established off Preservation Drive. No public recreational vehicle use permitted. Adjoins large area of state tax forfeited land (north and east ) that is managed by Beltrami County.
How many deer are taken around James B. Fern WMA?
James B. Fern WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 684. The DNR registered 3,267 deer in DPA 684 in 2025, against 3,035 in 2024.
| DPA | James B. Fern WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 684 | 218 | 3,267 | 3,035 | 2,686 |
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 James B. Fern WMA?
N on SH 89 then 2 miles W on Co Rd 600 (Spencer Road) then 1 1/4 miles N on Co Rd 511 (Preservation Road).
Nearest towns: Solway (9 miles), Wilton (10 miles), Leonard (10 miles) and Shevlin (12 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 89.
What other public land is near James B. Fern WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Long Lake WMA: 160 acres, 2 miles away
- Henry O. Bjoring WMA: 114 acres, 4.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of James B. Fern WMA
Counting James B. Fern WMA itself, 401 of the 22,922 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (1.7%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 379 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 22 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is James B. Fern WMA?
In Beltrami County, near Wilton. The DNR's directions: N on SH 89 then 2 miles W on Co Rd 600 (Spencer Road) then 1 1/4 miles N on Co Rd 511 (Preservation Road).
Which deer permit area is James B. Fern WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 684. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around James B. Fern WMA?
401 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, James B. Fern WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 2 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Long Lake WMA (2 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, James B. Fern 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.