Karnitz Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Karnitz Wildlife Management Area is 185 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Scott County, near Belle Plaine, inside Deer Permit Area 338. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game for it. Hunters registered 704 deer in DPA 338 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 areasNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasCounty, city and regional landKarnitz WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 185 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Scott County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 338 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Belle Plaine |
| DNR area office | South Metro |
| Nearest towns | Jordan (4 mi), Belle Plaine (5 mi) and New Prague (5 mi) |
What is Karnitz WMA like?
This WMA consists of about 75% wetland or open water, 20% forest and 5% grassland. It is located in an area of gently rolling hills that is primarily agricultural, with scattered woodlots and an occasional wetland. The forest has a generally undisturbed understory and has a high diversity of spring ephemeral flowers.
The purpose of this WMA is to preserve an old forest and wetland for a diversity of wildlife species. This is a great place to see a forest with some areas being high quality old growth.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Karnitz WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game for Karnitz WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Karnitz WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Karnitz WMA?
Karnitz WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 338. The DNR registered 704 deer in DPA 338 in 2025, against 594 in 2024.
| DPA | Karnitz WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 338 | 185 | 704 | 594 | 608 |
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 Karnitz WMA?
5 miles east of Belle Plaine on Hwy. 7, on the west side prior to Co. Rd. 4.
Wheelchair access is limited to a gravel parking lot on the south side of the WMA.
Nearest towns: Jordan (4 miles), Belle Plaine (5 miles), New Prague (5 miles) and Heidelberg (7 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 169, MN 21, MN 19, MN 282 and MN 25.
What other public land is near Karnitz WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Marsh WMA: 108 acres, 0.9 miles away
- O'Brien WMA: 25 acres, 1.6 miles away
- Michel Marsh WMA: 139 acres, 2.3 miles away
- Pheasants Forever #3 WMA: 27 acres, 2.9 miles away
- Raven WMA: 72 acres, 4.3 miles away
- Mahoney's Marsh WMA: 324 acres, 4.5 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Karnitz WMA
Counting Karnitz WMA itself, 475 of the 25,087 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (1.9%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 467 |
| County, city and regional land | 8 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Karnitz WMA?
In Scott County, near Belle Plaine. The DNR's directions: 5 miles east of Belle Plaine on Hwy. 7, on the west side prior to Co. Rd. 4.
Which deer permit area is Karnitz WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 338. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Karnitz WMA?
475 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Karnitz WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Marsh WMA (0.9 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Karnitz 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.