Nora Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Nora Wildlife Management Area is 270 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Pope County, near Cyrus, inside Deer Permit Area 273. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants and ducks and geese for it. Hunters registered 1,013 deer in DPA 273 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 areasNora WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 270 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Pope County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 273 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants and ducks and geese |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Cyrus |
| DNR area office | Fergus Falls |
| Nearest towns | Cyrus (4 mi), Farwell (6 mi) and Kensington (6 mi) |
What is Nora WMA like?
This WMA has the dense cover that attracts wintering wildlife. Much of the habitat consists of cattails and lowland shrubs. The WMA also has cool season domestic grasses, restored native grass, and deciduous tree groves.
River otters have been found on this unit. The extensive lowland brush and cattail cover is unusual for here. This unit is a good place to observe the young of various wetland and upland bird species. Look for black terns, frogs, and painted turtles.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Nora WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants and ducks and geese for Nora WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Nora WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Nora WMA?
Nora WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 273. The DNR registered 1,013 deer in DPA 273 in 2025, against 978 in 2024.
| DPA | Nora WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 273 | 270 | 1,013 | 978 | 968 |
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 Nora WMA?
From Cyrus, go 3 miles N on CSAH 3 then 2 miles E on CSAH 24 then 1 mile N on TWP RD.
Nearest towns: Cyrus (4 miles), Farwell (6 miles), Kensington (6 miles) and Lowry (8 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 28.
What other public land is near Nora WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Van Luik WMA: 48 acres, 1.1 miles away
- New Prairie WMA: 59 acres, 1.7 miles away
- Farwell WMA: 173 acres, 3.6 miles away
- Noordmans WMA: 318 acres, 4 miles away
- White Bear WMA: 196 acres, 4.2 miles away
- Wade WMA: 84 acres, 4.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Nora WMA
Counting Nora WMA itself, 1,204 of the 23,717 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (5.1%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 827 |
| State wildlife management areas | 377 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Nora WMA?
In Pope County, near Cyrus. The DNR's directions: From Cyrus, go 3 miles N on CSAH 3 then 2 miles E on CSAH 24 then 1 mile N on TWP RD.
Which deer permit area is Nora WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 273. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Nora WMA?
1,204 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Nora WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Van Luik WMA (1.1 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Nora 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.