New Maine Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
New Maine Wildlife Management Area is 2,665 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Marshall County, near Middle River, inside Deer Permit Area 264. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 1,995 deer in DPA 264 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 areasNew Maine WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 2,665 acres in 10 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Marshall County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 264 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Middle River |
| DNR area office | Karlstad |
| Nearest towns | Middle River (3 mi), Newfolden (3 mi) and Strandquist (6 mi) |
What is New Maine WMA like?
This 2500 acre WMA consists of a wide array of habitats. Oak savannas, oak woodlands, and aspen woodlands exist on the beach ridge running through the property, with shrublands and sedge meadows on the lower ground.
Yellow rail and american bittern are just a couple of bird species that can be found on this unique area.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on New Maine WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for New Maine WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on New Maine WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around New Maine WMA?
New Maine WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 264. The DNR registered 1,995 deer in DPA 264 in 2025, against 2,007 in 2024.
| DPA | New Maine WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 264 | 2,665 | 1,995 | 2,007 | 1,770 |
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 New Maine WMA?
From Middle River, go 5 miles W on CSAH 6.
Nearest towns: Middle River (3 miles), Newfolden (3 miles), Strandquist (6 miles) and Strathcona (7 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 59 and MN 32.
What other public land is near New Maine WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- East Park WMA: 10,420 acres, 0.5 miles away
- Huntly WMA: 6,503 acres, 1.2 miles away
- West Valley WMA: 247 acres, 3.3 miles away
- Thief Lake WMA: 54,632 acres, 3.5 miles away
- Spruce Valley WMA: 81 acres, 3.5 miles away
- New Folden WMA: 200 acres, 6.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of New Maine WMA
Counting New Maine WMA itself, 10,682 of the 55,491 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (19.2%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 10,682 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is New Maine WMA?
In Marshall County, near Middle River. The DNR's directions: From Middle River, go 5 miles W on CSAH 6.
Which deer permit area is New Maine WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 264. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around New Maine WMA?
10,682 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, New Maine WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest East Park WMA (0.5 miles).
Get a Minnesota hunt plan when they open
Hunt plans for Minnesota are coming. Join the list and you'll hear first. The first 50 hunters in each new state get their plan free.
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, New Maine 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.