Sandstone Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Sandstone Wildlife Management Area is 2,046 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Pine County, near Sandstone, inside Deer Permit Area 159. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, mourning doves, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 1,863 deer in DPA 159 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 landState parksSandstone WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 2,046 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Pine County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 159 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, mourning doves, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Sandstone |
| DNR area office | Cloquet |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Sandstone (2 mi), Hinckley (5 mi) and Askov (6 mi) |
What is Sandstone WMA like?
This WMA consists of uplands dominated by aspen/northern hardwood forest and grass/brushland habitat. There is open water wetland habitat and lowland brush areas primarily on the north end of the WMA.
This WMA offers an opportunity to see deer, bear, ruffed grouse, woodcock, sharp-tailed grouse, Canada geese, mallards, sandhill cranes and a variety of forest and open landscape songbirds.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Sandstone WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, mourning doves, bear and small game for Sandstone WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Sandstone WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Sandstone WMA: Open to archery hunting for deer (no firearms deer hunting). Archery bear hunting by special permit only. Call Cloquet Area Wildlife Office 218-878-5661 for permit. Open to hunting and trapping of all other species by legal means during designated seasons.
How many deer are taken around Sandstone WMA?
Sandstone WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 159. The DNR registered 1,863 deer in DPA 159 in 2025, against 1,609 in 2024.
| DPA | Sandstone WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 159 | 2,046 | 1,863 | 1,609 | 1,344 |
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 Sandstone WMA?
To main access: Exit I35 at Sandstone. Head E on CSAH 123 for 2.3 miles. Turn S on Co. Rd. 29 for 1 mile. Turn left on Co. Rd. 20. Go on Co. Rd. 20 for 2.6 miles to WMA parking lot on right hand side of road.
Nearest towns: Sandstone (2 miles), Hinckley (5 miles), Askov (6 miles) and Finlayson (8 miles). Highways within 5 miles: I-35, MN 23, MN 48 and MN 123.
What other public land is near Sandstone WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Kettle River WMA: 21 acres, 4.1 miles away
- Pine County V&S 3 WMA: 296 acres, 9.6 miles away
- Rutledge WMA: 795 acres, 9.6 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Sandstone WMA
Counting Sandstone WMA itself, 4,278 of the 34,370 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (12.4%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 2,059 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 1,230 |
| State parks | 989 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Sandstone WMA?
In Pine County, near Sandstone. The DNR's directions: To main access: Exit I35 at Sandstone. Head E on CSAH 123 for 2.3 miles. Turn S on Co. Rd. 29 for 1 mile. Turn left on Co. Rd. 20. Go on Co. Rd. 20 for 2.6 miles to WMA parking lot on right hand side of road.
Which deer permit area is Sandstone WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 159. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Sandstone WMA?
4,278 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Sandstone WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 3 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Kettle River WMA (4.1 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Sandstone 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.