Richardson Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Richardson Wildlife Management Area is 325 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Morrison County, near Harding, inside Deer Permit Area 249. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game for it. Hunters registered 3,126 deer in DPA 249 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 landRichardson WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 325 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Morrison County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 249 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Harding |
| DNR area office | Little Falls |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Harding (5 mi), Hillman (7 mi) and Vineland (8 mi) |
What is Richardson WMA like?
This WMA is grass fields, restored native grass, wetlands, restored wetlands, oak- aspen woods, cattails, low land grass and brush.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Richardson WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds and small game for Richardson WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Richardson WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Richardson WMA: Motorized vehicles are prohibited on the WMA except on designated routes and parking lots. Off-highway vehicles (OHVs), all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and snowmobiles are prohibited anywhere on the WMA, including on designated parking lots and access road.
How many deer are taken around Richardson WMA?
Richardson WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 249. The DNR registered 3,126 deer in DPA 249 in 2025, against 2,772 in 2024.
| DPA | Richardson WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 249 | 325 | 3,126 | 2,772 | 2,539 |
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 Richardson WMA?
From Harding, go 2 miles south on county road 23, then 7.5 miles east on county road 47, then 3 miles north on county road 272 (Riverside Road).
No disabled access available at this time. Future parking lot planned for construction in the summer of 2002.
Nearest towns: Harding (5 miles), Hillman (7 miles), Vineland (8 miles) and Lastrup (8 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 27.
What other public land is near Richardson WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Roosevelt WMA: 80 acres, 4.6 miles away
- White Fish Lake WMA: 58 acres, 7.4 miles away
- Harold & Marie Deutsch WMA: 314 acres, 7.4 miles away
- Wittiker WMA: 39 acres, 8.1 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Richardson WMA
Counting Richardson WMA itself, 472 of the 24,490 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (1.9%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 325 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 147 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Richardson WMA?
In Morrison County, near Harding. The DNR's directions: From Harding, go 2 miles south on county road 23, then 7.5 miles east on county road 47, then 3 miles north on county road 272 (Riverside Road).
Which deer permit area is Richardson WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 249. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Richardson WMA?
472 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Richardson WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 4 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Roosevelt WMA (4.6 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Richardson 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.