Ranum Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Ranum Wildlife Management Area is 183 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Norman County, near Rindal, inside Deer Permit Area 265. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game for it. Hunters registered 1,177 deer in DPA 265 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 areasRanum WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 183 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Norman County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 265 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Rindal |
| DNR area office | Detroit Lakes |
| Nearest towns | Fertile (5 mi), Gary (8 mi) and Winger (10 mi) |
What is Ranum WMA like?
This unit is about 5 miles southeast of Fertile in a glacial till plain area. The WMA is an old farmstead with open, grassy areas on rolling hills separated by woodlands and scattered wetlands.
The combination of grasslands, woods, and wetlands offers a variety of opportunities for wildlife viewing and hunting.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Ranum WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game for Ranum WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Ranum WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Ranum WMA?
Ranum WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 265. The DNR registered 1,177 deer in DPA 265 in 2025, against 1,067 in 2024.
| DPA | Ranum WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 265 | 183 | 1,177 | 1,067 | 930 |
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 Ranum WMA?
From Rindal, go 1 m. S on CSAH #36, 2½ m. W on CO RD #105.
Nearest towns: Fertile (5 miles), Gary (8 miles), Winger (10 miles) and Bejou (10 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 32.
What other public land is near Ranum WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Prairie Dunes WMA: 1,081 acres, 5.5 miles away
- Rindahl WMA: 82 acres, 5.7 miles away
- Woodside WMA: 79 acres, 6.7 miles away
- Bejou WMA: 1,936 acres, 7.3 miles away
- Dittmer WMA: 562 acres, 7.8 miles away
- Agassiz-Nelson WMA: 120 acres, 8.1 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Ranum WMA
Counting Ranum WMA itself, 303 of the 22,647 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (1.3%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 183 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 120 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Ranum WMA?
In Norman County, near Rindal. The DNR's directions: From Rindal, go 1 m. S on CSAH #36, 2½ m. W on CO RD #105.
Which deer permit area is Ranum WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 265. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Ranum WMA?
303 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Ranum WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Prairie Dunes WMA (5.5 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Ranum 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.