Nuthatch Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Nuthatch Wildlife Management Area is 2,167 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Cass County, near Akeley, MN, inside Deer Permit Area 246. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 3,143 deer in DPA 246 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 landNuthatch WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 2,167 acres in 3 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Cass County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 246 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Akeley, MN |
| DNR area office | Brainerd |
| Nearest towns | Backus (9 mi), Nimrod (9 mi) and Pine River (13 mi) |
What is Nuthatch WMA like?
The Nuthatch WMA a mixture of upland forest types and red pine plantations. Expect to see a variety of forest dwelling wildlife on your visit to this unit. The acquisition of this WMA was part of a larger acquisition project in 2024 that used Outdoor Heritage Funds and Reinvest in Minnesota funds to permanently protected over 18,000 acres of former Potlatch lands.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Nuthatch WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Nuthatch WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Nuthatch WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Nuthatch WMA?
Nuthatch WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 246. The DNR registered 3,143 deer in DPA 246 in 2025, against 2,624 in 2024.
| DPA | Nuthatch WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 246 | 2,167 | 3,143 | 2,624 | 2,394 |
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 Nuthatch WMA?
From Akeley, travel 20.9 miles south on State Highway 64. Turn west onto 24th Street SW and the WMA will be on the south side of the road at this location. From Akeley head south 19.8 miles on State Highway 64. Then turn east or west onto 20th Street SW to arrive at access points to this WMA. From Akeley, travel 20.9 miles south on State Highway 64. Turn east onto 24th Street SW. After 1/2 mile you will arrive at the beginning of the WMA on the south side of the road.
Nearest towns: Backus (9 miles), Nimrod (9 miles), Pine River (13 miles) and Chickamaw Beach (14 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 64 and MN 87.
What other public land is near Nuthatch WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Huntersville WMA: 521 acres, 4.8 miles away
- Burgen Lake Prairie WMA: 2,322 acres, 5.5 miles away
- Crow Wing Chain WMA: 3,334 acres, 7.8 miles away
- Crow Wing River Corridor WMA: 750 acres, 8.1 miles away
- Strike WMA: 300 acres, 9.8 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Nuthatch WMA
Counting Nuthatch WMA itself, 6,376 of the 43,277 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (14.7%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State forest and other DNR land | 4,209 |
| State wildlife management areas | 2,167 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Nuthatch WMA?
In Cass County, near Akeley, MN. The DNR's directions: From Akeley, travel 20.9 miles south on State Highway 64. Turn west onto 24th Street SW and the WMA will be on the south side of the road at this location. From Akeley head south 19.8 miles on State Highway 64. Then turn east or west onto 20th Street SW to arrive at access points to this WMA. From Akeley, travel 20.9 miles south on State Highway 64. Turn east onto 24th Street SW. After 1/2 mile you will arrive at the beginning of the WMA on the south side of the road.
Which deer permit area is Nuthatch WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 246. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Nuthatch WMA?
6,376 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Nuthatch WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 5 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Huntersville WMA (4.8 miles).
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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, Nuthatch 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.