Nereson Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Nereson Wildlife Management Area is 9,861 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Roseau County, near Badger, inside Deer Permit Area 268. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, sharp-tailed grouse, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 801 deer in DPA 268 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 landNereson WMACounty lineHighway
| Size | 9,861 acres in 5 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Roseau County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 268 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, sharp-tailed grouse, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Badger |
| DNR area office | Thief Lake WMA |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Badger (9 mi), Strathcona (9 mi) and Greenbush (10 mi) |
What is Nereson WMA like?
This WMA is comprised of interspersed brushlands, wetlands and forested habitat types. Two large impoundments are present which provide waterfowl habitat.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Nereson WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, sharp-tailed grouse, bear and small game for Nereson WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Nereson WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Nereson WMA: Boat access is carry-in only. No motors are allowed.
How many deer are taken around Nereson WMA?
Nereson WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 268. The DNR registered 801 deer in DPA 268 in 2025, against 810 in 2024.
| DPA | Nereson WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 268 | 9,861 | 801 | 810 | 676 |
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 Nereson WMA?
From Badger, travel 9 miles south on Roseau County 3, then 2 miles east on a township road.
Nearest towns: Badger (9 miles), Strathcona (9 miles), Greenbush (10 miles) and Roseau (13 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 89.
What other public land is near Nereson WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Palmville WMA: 14,885 acres, next to it
- Wannaska WMA: 79 acres, 3.9 miles away
- Skime WMA: 870 acres, 5.1 miles away
- Thief Lake WMA: 54,632 acres, 5.1 miles away
- Hayes WMA: 74 acres, 9.1 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Nereson WMA
Counting Nereson WMA itself, 15,272 of the 74,617 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (20.5%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 15,232 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 40 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Nereson WMA?
In Roseau County, near Badger. The DNR's directions: From Badger, travel 9 miles south on Roseau County 3, then 2 miles east on a township road.
Which deer permit area is Nereson WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 268. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Nereson WMA?
15,272 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Nereson WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 5 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Palmville WMA (next to it).
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Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Minnesota included.
Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Nereson 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.