Pelan Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Pelan Wildlife Management Area is 3,637 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Kittson County, near Halma, inside Deer Permit Area 263. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, sharp-tailed grouse, mourning doves, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 1,024 deer in DPA 263 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 areasState parksPelan WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 3,637 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Kittson County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 263 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, sharp-tailed grouse, mourning doves, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Halma |
| DNR area office | Karlstad |
| Nearest towns | Halma (5 mi), Karlstad (6 mi) and Lake Bronson (8 mi) |
What is Pelan WMA like?
This WMA is a mixture of forested aspen and scattered oak, along with more openland brush prairie and emergent wetland. This unit is managed as tallgrass aspen parkland through prescribed burning and the cutting of aspen and brush. The terrain is flat and rocky.
The WMA is open for public hunting, trapping, and other compatible recreational uses; including hiking, cross-country skiing, berry picking, and wildlife viewing. Moose are occasionally seen utilizing this site. Elk occasionally are found on this unit. Access is along a township road that is adjacent to the east side of the WMA. There is a parking area and walking path at the end of this township road. There is a new WMA camping area created along this township road, about a half mile south of the WMA parking area. Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobile, bird watching & photography. Hunting opportunities exist for upland game birds as well as big game species.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Pelan WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, sharp-tailed grouse, mourning doves, bear and small game for Pelan WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Pelan WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Pelan WMA?
Pelan WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 263. The DNR registered 1,024 deer in DPA 263 in 2025, against 920 in 2024.
| DPA | Pelan WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 263 | 3,637 | 1,024 | 920 | 1,029 |
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 Pelan WMA?
From Halma, go 9 miles E on CSAH 7 then 2 miles N on trail.
Nearest towns: Halma (5 miles), Karlstad (6 miles), Lake Bronson (8 miles) and Strandquist (11 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 11 and US 59.
What other public land is near Pelan WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Twin Lakes WMA: 8,867 acres, 0.9 miles away
- Beaches Lake WMA: 30,601 acres, 1.6 miles away
- Devils Playground WMA: 1,459 acres, 2.2 miles away
- Halma Swamp WMA: 3,029 acres, 5.6 miles away
- Lind WMA: 653 acres, 5.7 miles away
- Deerwood WMA: 322 acres, 6.4 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Pelan WMA
Counting Pelan WMA itself, 8,734 of the 42,068 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (20.8%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 7,944 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 569 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 221 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Pelan WMA?
In Kittson County, near Halma. The DNR's directions: From Halma, go 9 miles E on CSAH 7 then 2 miles N on trail.
Which deer permit area is Pelan WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 263. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Pelan WMA?
8,734 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Pelan WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Twin Lakes WMA (0.9 miles).
Get a Minnesota hunt plan when they open
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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, Pelan 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.