Moccasin Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Moccasin Wildlife Management Area is 294 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Norman County, near Syre, inside Deer Permit Area 666. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese and small game for it. Hunters registered 686 deer in DPA 666 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 areasMoccasin WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 294 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Norman County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 666 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ducks and geese and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Syre |
| DNR area office | Detroit Lakes |
| Nearest towns | Waubun (7 mi), Twin Valley (9 mi) and Ogema (9 mi) |
What is Moccasin WMA like?
This WMA is divided in two sub-units: a 40-acre tract and a 138-acre tract. The sub-units are located in a glacial till plain along a tributary stream. The WMA contains mesic prairie dominated by native upland grasses.
Along with the birds and mammals normally associated with mesic prairies, upland sandpipers have nested in the southern sub-unit. Populations of a Minnesota special concern plant, the small white lady's-slipper, have been located in both sub-units.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Moccasin WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese and small game for Moccasin WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Moccasin WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Moccasin WMA?
Moccasin WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 666. The DNR registered 686 deer in DPA 666 in 2025.
| DPA | Moccasin WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| DPA 666 | 294 | 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 Moccasin WMA?
From Syre, go 7 m. E on SH #113 to the northern sub-unit; the southern sub-unit is 1 m. E on #113, 1 m. S on CO RD #40.
Nearest towns: Waubun (7 miles), Twin Valley (9 miles), Ogema (9 miles) and Ulen (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 113.
What other public land is near Moccasin WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Coburn WMA: 400 acres, 1.8 miles away
- Waubun WMA: 2,412 acres, 3.3 miles away
- Spring Creek WMA: 960 acres, 4.4 miles away
- Faith WMA: 661 acres, 4.7 miles away
- Home WMA: 95 acres, 4.8 miles away
- Vangsness WMA: 325 acres, 5.6 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Moccasin WMA
Counting Moccasin WMA itself, 780 of the 28,697 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (2.7%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 707 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 73 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Moccasin WMA?
In Norman County, near Syre. The DNR's directions: From Syre, go 7 m. E on SH #113 to the northern sub-unit; the southern sub-unit is 1 m. E on #113, 1 m. S on CO RD #40.
Which deer permit area is Moccasin WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 666. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Moccasin WMA?
780 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Moccasin WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Coburn WMA (1.8 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Moccasin 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.