Moose Willow Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Moose Willow Wildlife Management Area is 16,957 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Aitkin County, near Hill City, inside Deer Permit Area 171. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 1,165 deer in DPA 171 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 landOther federal landMoose Willow WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 16,957 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Aitkin County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 171 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Hill City |
| DNR area office | Aitkin |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Hill City (3 mi), Palisade (12 mi) and Warba (16 mi) |
What is Moose Willow WMA like?
This is a large WMA with expansive marsh, tamarack and low grassy areas. Pockets of cedar, and islands of aspen and northern hardwood are scattered throughout the unit. There are two wetland impoundments with excellent stands of wild rice present on them.
The upland timber types on this WMA are managed for deer, bear, and ruffed grouse. While large complexes of lowland brush are managed for openland wildlife species and moose. Respect private property on adjacent lands on the west and south. Look for bear, deer, moose, wolves, waterfowl, black terns, ruffed grouse, and great gray owls on this WMA. Lands to the north and east are state forest. Additional non-hunting recreational opportunities include hiking, wildlife viewing, and berry picking.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Moose Willow WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Moose Willow WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Moose Willow WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Moose Willow WMA: This WMA lies within the Hill River State Forest. WMA rules apply. Camping is allowed at signed locations only. No wild rice harvesting is allowed. Permits are required for trapping beaver and otter. The south portion of the Moose Pool has been posted as a wildlife sanctuary, closed to access, hunting or trapping from September 1-March 31. No motorized watercraft use in waters within the WMA.
How many deer are taken around Moose Willow WMA?
Moose Willow WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 171. The DNR registered 1,165 deer in DPA 171 in 2025, against 1,068 in 2024.
| DPA | Moose Willow WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 171 | 16,957 | 1,165 | 1,068 | 819 |
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 Moose Willow WMA?
From Hill City; Main access: Annie Dagel Forest Road (340th Pl - off Hwy 200 1.6 miles east of 4 way stop in Hill City) SW access: 6 miles S. on Hwy 169 then 1 mile E. at the Corner Club, then N. across river, then 1 mile E. on trail.
Wheelchair access is limited to the graveled access roads in the unit. 10 miles of hunter walking trails are maintained to improve access and provide additional non-hunting recreation opportunities.
Nearest towns: Hill City (3 miles), Palisade (12 miles), Warba (16 miles) and Remer (18 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 169, MN 200 and MN 65.
What other public land is near Moose Willow WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Hay Point WMA: 350 acres, 2.5 miles away
- Willowsippi WMA: 1,693 acres, 3 miles away
- Little Hill River WMA: 274 acres, 7.5 miles away
- Wold WMA: 425 acres, 8.6 miles away
- Roberts-Wickstrom WMA: 786 acres, 9 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Moose Willow WMA
Counting Moose Willow WMA itself, 62,333 of the 76,053 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (82%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State forest and other DNR land | 45,175 |
| State wildlife management areas | 17,118 |
| Other federal land | 40 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Moose Willow WMA?
In Aitkin County, near Hill City. The DNR's directions: From Hill City; Main access: Annie Dagel Forest Road (340th Pl - off Hwy 200 1.6 miles east of 4 way stop in Hill City) SW access: 6 miles S. on Hwy 169 then 1 mile E. at the Corner Club, then N. across river, then 1 mile E. on trail.
Which deer permit area is Moose Willow WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 171. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Moose Willow WMA?
62,333 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Moose Willow WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 5 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Hay Point WMA (2.5 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Moose Willow 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.