Metz Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Metz Wildlife Management Area is 291 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Traverse County, near Browns Valley, inside Deer Permit Area 671. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game for it. Hunters registered 446 deer in DPA 671 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 areasMetz WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 291 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Traverse County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 671 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Browns Valley |
| DNR area office | Fergus Falls |
| Nearest towns | Browns Valley (3 mi), Beardsley (3 mi) and Barry (10 mi) |
What is Metz WMA like?
Metz WMA is a prairie grassland and wetland WMA. It contains two small, shallow wetlands with emergent vegetation. The eastern wetland was restored. Most management focuses on upland birds and wetland wildlife. Metz WMA is a prairie grassland with a tree grove remaining from an old farmstead. It contains two small, shallow wetlands with emergent vegetation. The eastern wetland was restored. Most management focuses on upland birds.
The WMAs 24 acres of woody cover, which includes mature trees, is unusual on the prairie landscape and attracts migrant and resident woodland birds. This a good place to view and hear prairie songbirds. Look for dabbling ducks on the wetlands. Look for bobolinks. Hunting for deer, upland birds, cottontail rabbits and predators is available. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are possible.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Metz WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game for Metz WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Metz WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Metz WMA?
Metz WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 671. The DNR registered 446 deer in DPA 671 in 2025.
| DPA | Metz WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| DPA 671 | 291 | 446 |
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 Metz WMA?
From Browns Valley, go 3 miles E on CSAH 2.
Nearest towns: Browns Valley (3 miles), Beardsley (3 miles), Barry (10 miles) and Graceville (15 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 28, MN 7 and MN 27.
What other public land is near Metz WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Hornstein WMA: 429 acres, 3.3 miles away
- Foley WMA: 110 acres, 7 miles away
- Mallard Hole WMA: 156 acres, 7.6 miles away
- Allen WMA: 46 acres, 8.5 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Metz WMA
Counting Metz WMA itself, 2,228 of the 23,775 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (9.4%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 1,937 |
| State wildlife management areas | 291 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Metz WMA?
In Traverse County, near Browns Valley. The DNR's directions: From Browns Valley, go 3 miles E on CSAH 2.
Which deer permit area is Metz WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 671. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Metz WMA?
2,228 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Metz WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 4 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Hornstein WMA (3.3 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Metz 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.