Sawyer Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Sawyer Wildlife Management Area is 600 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Carlton County, near Sawyer, inside Deer Permit Area 156. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 1,900 deer in DPA 156 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 landSawyer WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 600 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Carlton County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 156 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Sawyer |
| DNR area office | Cloquet |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Big Lake (4 mi), Mahtowa (6 mi) and Cloquet (8 mi) |
What is Sawyer WMA like?
This WMA is a diverse forest/wetland complex of deciduous and coniferous forests interspersed with many upland openings on a steep terrain landscape. There are waterfowl impoundments on the unit and a small river runs through the unit.
Active forest management takes place on this unit and the two impoundments are managed for waterfowl. This WMA is a popular site for small game hunting. This WMA offers unique glacial landforms and scenic views along with an extensive trail system.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Sawyer WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Sawyer WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Sawyer WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Sawyer WMA: Sterle Pool Trail gate is open to vehicle traffic from August 1 till December 20 each year to provide access for hunters. The gate is closed the remainder of year to protect the road and nesting wildlife (foot traffic is still allowed).
How many deer are taken around Sawyer WMA?
Sawyer WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 156. The DNR registered 1,900 deer in DPA 156 in 2025, against 1,594 in 2024.
| DPA | Sawyer WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 156 | 600 | 1,900 | 1,594 | 1,299 |
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 Sawyer WMA?
From Sawyer, go 2 1/4 miles S and W on CSAH 7.
There are carry-in canoe access to the impoundments on this WMA.
Nearest towns: Big Lake (4 miles), Mahtowa (6 miles), Cloquet (8 miles) and Carlton (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: I-35 and MN 210.
What other public land is near Sawyer WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Kettle Lake WMA: 1,313 acres, 5.5 miles away
- Mervin WMA: 242 acres, 8.1 miles away
- Gichigami Ziibi WMA: 895 acres, 9.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Sawyer WMA
Counting Sawyer WMA itself, 1,785 of the 26,092 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (6.8%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State forest and other DNR land | 1,070 |
| State wildlife management areas | 715 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Sawyer WMA?
In Carlton County, near Sawyer. The DNR's directions: From Sawyer, go 2 1/4 miles S and W on CSAH 7.
Which deer permit area is Sawyer WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 156. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Sawyer WMA?
1,785 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Sawyer WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 3 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Kettle Lake WMA (5.5 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, Sawyer 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.