Staples Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Staples Wildlife Management Area is 1,429 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Todd County, near Staples, inside Deer Permit Area 214. 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 4,781 deer in DPA 214 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 landCounty, city and regional landStaples WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 1,429 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Todd County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 214 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Staples |
| DNR area office | Little Falls |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Staples (4 mi), Motley (7 mi) and Aldrich (8 mi) |
What is Staples WMA like?
This WMA is comprised of a large restored wetland basin, with some tame and native grassland to the east of the wetland, as well as mesic hardwoods and fire-dependent mixed conifer-hardwood stands on the north and east side of the wetland. There's also some mesic hardwood stands, sedge and shrub wetlands in the s.e. quadrant of the unit. Management of this unit focuses on maintaining and improving the habitat for a diversity of native plants and wildlife, with priority given to open wetland and grassland habitats.
One of the largest wetland mitigation projects in the country.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Staples 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 Staples WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Staples WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Staples 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 Staples WMA?
Staples WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 214. The DNR registered 4,781 deer in DPA 214 in 2025, against 4,380 in 2024.
| DPA | Staples WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 214 | 1,429 | 4,781 | 4,380 | 4,063 |
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 Staples WMA?
From Staples, go 1.5 miles south of highway 210, then 0.5 miles east on county road 7, then 2.5 miles south on township road.
Disabled access is limited to the township roads on the east side, and parking lots throughout the WMA. Access to the interior of the WMA is only allowed with vehicles from the start of small game seasons through the end of the muzzleloader season.
Nearest towns: Staples (4 miles), Motley (7 miles), Aldrich (8 miles) and Verndale (12 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 210 and US 10.
What other public land is near Staples WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Lawrence Lake WMA: 202 acres, 0.7 miles away
- Dower Lake WMA: 40 acres, 4.1 miles away
- Philbrook WMA: 337 acres, 4.8 miles away
- Kobliska WMA: 411 acres, 6.4 miles away
- Long Prairie River WMA: 965 acres, 7.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Staples WMA
Counting Staples WMA itself, 1,840 of the 31,377 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (5.9%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 1,631 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 163 |
| County, city and regional land | 46 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Staples WMA?
In Todd County, near Staples. The DNR's directions: From Staples, go 1.5 miles south of highway 210, then 0.5 miles east on county road 7, then 2.5 miles south on township road.
Which deer permit area is Staples WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 214. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Staples WMA?
1,840 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Staples WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 5 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Lawrence Lake WMA (0.7 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Staples 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.