Orwell Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Orwell Wildlife Management Area is 2,127 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Otter Tail County, near Fergus Falls, inside Deer Permit Area 270. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game for it. Hunters registered 330 deer in DPA 270 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 landNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasCounty, city and regional landOrwell WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 2,127 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Otter Tail County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 270 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Fergus Falls |
| DNR area office | Fergus Falls |
| Nearest towns | Fergus Falls (4 mi), Foxhome (7 mi) and Dalton (10 mi) |
What can you hunt on Orwell WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game for Orwell WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Orwell WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
The DNR's data marks part of Orwell WMA as a wildlife sanctuary. Sanctuary ground is posted and closed to entry without DNR authorization.
How many deer are taken around Orwell WMA?
Orwell WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 270. The DNR registered 330 deer in DPA 270 in 2025, against 304 in 2024.
| DPA | Orwell WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 270 | 2,127 | 330 | 304 | 247 |
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 Orwell WMA?
From Fergus Falls, go 5 miles S on CSAH 1 then 3 1/2 miles W on CSAH 2.
Nearest towns: Fergus Falls (4 miles), Foxhome (7 miles), Dalton (10 miles) and Elizabeth (10 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 59, I-94, US 52 and MN 210.
What other public land is near Orwell WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Valdine WMA: 140 acres, 2.4 miles away
- Prairie Ridge WMA: 160 acres, 2.5 miles away
- Hi-View WMA: 134 acres, 3.3 miles away
- Doran WMA: 616 acres, 3.4 miles away
- Aastad WMA: 317 acres, 3.8 miles away
- Coyour Memorial WMA: 240 acres, 4.6 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Orwell WMA
Counting Orwell WMA itself, 5,653 of the 42,068 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (13.4%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 3,268 |
| State wildlife management areas | 2,381 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 4 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Orwell WMA?
In Otter Tail County, near Fergus Falls. The DNR's directions: From Fergus Falls, go 5 miles S on CSAH 1 then 3 1/2 miles W on CSAH 2.
Which deer permit area is Orwell WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 270. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Orwell WMA?
5,653 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Orwell WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Valdine WMA (2.4 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, Orwell 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.