West Valley Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
West Valley Wildlife Management Area is 247 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Marshall County, near Strandquist, inside Deer Permit Area 264. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 1,995 deer in DPA 264 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 areasWest Valley WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 247 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Marshall County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 264 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Strandquist |
| DNR area office | Karlstad |
| Nearest towns | Strandquist (3 mi), Newfolden (6 mi) and Karlstad (10 mi) |
What is West Valley WMA like?
This 240 acre unit is mostly covered in mature aspen forest, with small areas of open grassland, seasonally flooded shrubland, and semi-permanent wetlands.
Sandhill cranes can be found utilizing the sedge meadows. A snowmobile trail runs through the unit.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on West Valley WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for West Valley WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on West Valley WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around West Valley WMA?
West Valley WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 264. The DNR registered 1,995 deer in DPA 264 in 2025, against 2,007 in 2024.
| DPA | West Valley WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 264 | 247 | 1,995 | 2,007 | 1,770 |
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 West Valley WMA?
From Strandquist, go 3.75 miles southeast on U.S. Highway 59 then go 1 mile west on County Highway 6. The WMA is on the south side of Highway 6.
Nearest towns: Strandquist (3 miles), Newfolden (6 miles), Karlstad (10 miles) and Middle River (12 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 59.
What other public land is near West Valley WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Alces WMA: 75 acres, 2.8 miles away
- New Maine WMA: 2,665 acres, 3.3 miles away
- East Park WMA: 10,420 acres, 3.6 miles away
- Adolf Elseth Memorial WMA: 44 acres, 4.1 miles away
- Florian WMA: 1,528 acres, 4.5 miles away
- Wright WMA: 393 acres, 5.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of West Valley WMA
Counting West Valley WMA itself, 305 of the 23,785 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 | 305 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is West Valley WMA?
In Marshall County, near Strandquist. The DNR's directions: From Strandquist, go 3.75 miles southeast on U.S. Highway 59 then go 1 mile west on County Highway 6. The WMA is on the south side of Highway 6.
Which deer permit area is West Valley WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 264. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around West Valley WMA?
305 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, West Valley WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Alces WMA (2.8 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, West Valley 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.