Morph Meadows Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Morph Meadows Wildlife Management Area is 4,896 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Itasca and Beltrami counties, near Pennington, inside Deer Permit Areas 169 and 197. 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 927 deer in DPA 169 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 forestMorph Meadows WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 4,896 acres |
|---|---|
| Counties | Itasca County and Beltrami County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 169, DPA 197 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Pennington |
| DNR area office | Grand Rapids |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Squaw Lake (10 mi), Blackduck (12 mi) and Funkley (14 mi) |
What is Morph Meadows WMA like?
This WMA was established in 1965 to construct a 1500 acre impoundment which created a type 4 marsh for waterfowl production and migration habitat within a 5,000 acre complex of upland aspen forest, sedge meadows, lowland brush and beaver ponds.
There are over 15 miles of hunter walking trails that extend off the WMA onto other public forest lands that are also open to hunting. Camping is allowed in the parking lot in the SE portion of the WMA. Opportunities exist for trapping; particularly beaver (need permit from manager). Good opportunities for viewing wildlife along 2 miles of dikes. The WMA is open to hunting and trapping, Dike/levee constructed in 1964 created a 100 acre pool to enhance waterfowl production and migratory habitat. Levee upgraded in 2002, with financial assistance from the MN Waterfowl Association. Management includes manipulation of water levels, commercial timber harvests, and shearing lowland brush areas, maintaining wildlife openings and planting conifers for winter cover.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Morph Meadows WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Morph Meadows WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Morph Meadows WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Morph Meadows WMA: The use of outboard motors, including electric trolling motors or motorized water vehicles, including amphibious vehicles is prohibited on this WMA.
How many deer are taken around Morph Meadows WMA?
Morph Meadows WMA lies in 2 deer permit areas. The DNR registered 927 deer in DPA 169 in 2025, against 794 in 2024.
| DPA | Morph Meadows WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 169 | 4,807 | 927 | 794 | 782 |
| DPA 197 | 88 | 1,098 | 831 | 871 |
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 Morph Meadows WMA?
From intersection of CSAH 39 and Birchmont Beach Road, go 2.7 miles east on Birchmont Beach Road, then 6.2 miles south and east on USFS Road 2204, then 2.8 miles north on USFS Road 2671 (Third River Road) to entrance of WMA. Go 1.7 miles W to parking lot.
Nearest towns: Squaw Lake (10 miles), Blackduck (12 miles), Funkley (14 miles) and Tenstrike (14 miles).
What other public land is near Morph Meadows WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Sugar Lake WMA: 383 acres, 5.6 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Morph Meadows WMA
Counting Morph Meadows WMA itself, 30,887 of the 48,946 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (63.1%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National forest | 19,624 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 6,367 |
| State wildlife management areas | 4,896 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Morph Meadows WMA?
In Itasca and Beltrami counties, near Pennington. The DNR's directions: From intersection of CSAH 39 and Birchmont Beach Road, go 2.7 miles east on Birchmont Beach Road, then 6.2 miles south and east on USFS Road 2204, then 2.8 miles north on USFS Road 2671 (Third River Road) to entrance of WMA. Go 1.7 miles W to parking lot.
Which deer permit area is Morph Meadows WMA in?
DPA 169 (4,807 acres) and DPA 197 (88 acres). Each part follows its own permit area's bag limit.
How much public land is around Morph Meadows WMA?
30,887 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Morph Meadows WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. One other WMA is within 10 miles, the closest Sugar Lake WMA (5.6 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Morph Meadows 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.
Minnesota hunting Itasca County Beltrami County DPA 169 DPA 197