Norman T. Dahlman Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Norman T. Dahlman Wildlife Management Area is 303 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Stearns County, near Belgrade, inside Deer Permit Area 277. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants and small game for it. Hunters registered 4,575 deer in DPA 277 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 areasNorman T. Dahlman WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 303 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Stearns County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 277 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, pheasants and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Belgrade |
| DNR area office | Sauk Rapids |
| Nearest towns | Belgrade (2 mi), Brooten (5 mi) and Elrosa (10 mi) |
What is Norman T. Dahlman WMA like?
This over 300 acre WMA is comprised of a shallow cattail dominated wetland basin surrounded by brome/reed canary grasslands and willow, restored native prairie, and degraded oak savanna that is currently undergoing restoration. This area is part of a larger deer, pheasant, and turkey wintering complex.
This WMA was named in honor of a long time local Conservation Officer who was well respected in the community.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Norman T. Dahlman WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants and small game for Norman T. Dahlman WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Norman T. Dahlman WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Norman T. Dahlman WMA?
Norman T. Dahlman WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 277. The DNR registered 4,575 deer in DPA 277 in 2025, against 4,301 in 2024.
| DPA | Norman T. Dahlman WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 277 | 303 | 4,575 | 4,301 | 4,013 |
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 Norman T. Dahlman WMA?
3 miles SW of Belgrade within Section 34, T123N, R35W.
Nearest towns: Belgrade (2 miles), Brooten (5 miles), Elrosa (10 miles) and Regal (10 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 71 and MN 55.
What other public land is near Norman T. Dahlman WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Tamarac WMA: 615 acres, 2.3 miles away
- Edward Raymond Mohs WMA: 336 acres, 2.3 miles away
- Crow River WMA: 155 acres, 3.5 miles away
- Milton Kjeldahl WMA: 196 acres, 5.3 miles away
- Follies WMA: 610 acres, 5.5 miles away
- Oxcart Crossing WMA: 210 acres, 5.5 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Norman T. Dahlman WMA
Counting Norman T. Dahlman WMA itself, 1,251 of the 24,420 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 |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 872 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 379 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Norman T. Dahlman WMA?
In Stearns County, near Belgrade. The DNR's directions: 3 miles SW of Belgrade within Section 34, T123N, R35W.
Which deer permit area is Norman T. Dahlman WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 277. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Norman T. Dahlman WMA?
1,251 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Norman T. Dahlman WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Tamarac WMA (2.3 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Norman T. Dahlman 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.