Whitefield Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Whitefield Wildlife Management Area is 488 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Kandiyohi County, near Willmar, inside Deer Permit Area 282. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game for it. Hunters registered 242 deer in DPA 282 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 landNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasCounty, city and regional landLand trusts and other open landWhitefield WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 488 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Kandiyohi County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 282 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Willmar |
| DNR area office | New London |
| Nearest towns | Willmar (5 mi), Blomkest (6 mi) and Kandiyohi (8 mi) |
What is Whitefield WMA like?
This area contains several small cattail wetlands, a large contingent of seeded native grass/forb fields, 3 woody cover plantings, and a food plot. This parcel was purchased and restored in partnership with Ducks Unlimited.
Wetlands on this unit usually are very shallow, with little or no standing or open water. The crown jewel of the parcel is a restored 44-acre wetland basin with water level management capability. Additionally, 11 other small wetlands were restored. The seed mix is highly diverse. It included both purchased and local ecotype seed harvested from within the county. This is a large diverse prairie-wetland habitat complex that offers excellent hunting opportunities for waterfowl, pheasants, and deer.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Whitefield WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, pheasants, ducks and geese, mourning doves and small game for Whitefield WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Whitefield WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Whitefield WMA?
Whitefield WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 282. The DNR registered 242 deer in DPA 282 in 2025, against 217 in 2024.
| DPA | Whitefield WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 282 | 488 | 242 | 217 | 209 |
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 Whitefield WMA?
From the junction of US 71 and the Willmar 71/23 bypass on the south side of the city, travel a distance of 2.5 miles south on 71 and then turn west on gravel township road and travel.5 miles before turning south for 1 mile to unit. Both sides of road. From the intersection of Hwy 23 and 71 on the south end of Willmar, drive south on Hwy. 71 for 2.6 miles. Take a right and head west on 75th Ave. SW. Proceed west for 0.75 miles to the parking lot on the north end of the unit.
Access via adjacent roadways. There are 2 parking lots. One is accessed heading west on a trail off 7th St. SW on the east side of the unit. The other is on the north end of the WMA.
Nearest towns: Willmar (5 miles), Blomkest (6 miles), Kandiyohi (8 miles) and Raymond (8 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 71, MN 23, US 12 and MN 40.
What other public land is near Whitefield WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Lake Eleanor WMA: 72 acres, 2.6 miles away
- Reed WMA: 118 acres, 4.2 miles away
- Rau Prairie Pothole WMA: 191 acres, 6.1 miles away
- Gopher Ridge WMA: 90 acres, 6.5 miles away
- Willmar WMA: 127 acres, 7.1 miles away
- Eagle WMA: 50 acres, 8.6 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Whitefield WMA
Counting Whitefield WMA itself, 599 of the 27,637 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (2.2%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 548 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 47 |
| County, city and regional land | 4 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Whitefield WMA?
In Kandiyohi County, near Willmar. The DNR's directions: From the junction of US 71 and the Willmar 71/23 bypass on the south side of the city, travel a distance of 2.5 miles south on 71 and then turn west on gravel township road and travel.5 miles before turning south for 1 mile to unit. Both sides of road. From the intersection of Hwy 23 and 71 on the south end of Willmar, drive south on Hwy. 71 for 2.6 miles. Take a right and head west on 75th Ave. SW. Proceed west for 0.75 miles to the parking lot on the north end of the unit.
Which deer permit area is Whitefield WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 282. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Whitefield WMA?
599 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Whitefield WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Lake Eleanor WMA (2.6 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Whitefield 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.