Nelson Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Nelson Wildlife Management Area is 198 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Murray County, near Ruthton, inside Deer Permit Area 294. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game for it. Hunters registered 472 deer in DPA 294 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 areasWalk-In AccessNelson WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 198 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Murray County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 294 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Ruthton |
| DNR area office | Slayton-Talcot Lake |
| Nearest towns | Florence (5 mi), Balaton (5 mi) and Ruthton (6 mi) |
What is Nelson WMA like?
The unit is a large emergent wetland with a water control structure and limited upland cover. Access to the water is from the township road.
Managed for waterfowl. Good pheasant wintering area. Attracts migrating waterfowl.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Nelson WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game for Nelson WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Nelson WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Nelson WMA?
Nelson WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 294. The DNR registered 472 deer in DPA 294 in 2025, against 462 in 2024.
| DPA | Nelson WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 294 | 198 | 472 | 462 | 461 |
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 Nelson WMA?
From Ruthton, go 2 miles east on County Road 88 and 5 miles east on a township road, this subunit is on the South side of the road. From Ruthton, go 2 miles east on County Road 88 and 5 miles east on a township road.
Nearest towns: Florence (5 miles), Balaton (5 miles), Ruthton (6 miles) and Russell (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 91 and US 14.
What other public land is near Nelson WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Hjermstad WMA: 266 acres, next to it
- Bergman WMA: 33 acres, 0.7 miles away
- Shelburne WMA: 162 acres, 0.7 miles away
- Ellsborough WMA: 80 acres, 1.1 miles away
- Ruthton WMA: 294 acres, 2.4 miles away
- Van Eck WMA: 77 acres, 3.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Nelson WMA
Counting Nelson WMA itself, 1,087 of the 23,338 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (4.7%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 847 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 240 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Nelson WMA?
In Murray County, near Ruthton. The DNR's directions: From Ruthton, go 2 miles east on County Road 88 and 5 miles east on a township road, this subunit is on the South side of the road. From Ruthton, go 2 miles east on County Road 88 and 5 miles east on a township road.
Which deer permit area is Nelson WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 294. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Nelson WMA?
1,087 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Nelson WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Hjermstad WMA (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Nelson 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.