William M. Rath Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
William M. Rath Wildlife Management Area is 845 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Pine County, near Bruno, inside Deer Permit Area 154. 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 502 deer in DPA 154 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 landWilliam M. Rath WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 845 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Pine County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 154 |
| 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) | Bruno |
| DNR area office | Cloquet |
| Nearest towns | Kerrick (3 mi), Bruno (7 mi) and Askov (14 mi) |
What can you hunt on William M. Rath 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 William M. Rath WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on William M. Rath WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around William M. Rath WMA?
William M. Rath WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 154. The DNR registered 502 deer in DPA 154 in 2025.
| DPA | William M. Rath WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| DPA 154 | 845 | 502 |
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 William M. Rath WMA?
From Bruno, go 5 mi NE on CORD 44. Then go 2.3 mi e on CORD 171. Parking lot (with kiosk) on S side of road.
Nearest towns: Kerrick (3 miles), Bruno (7 miles), Askov (14 miles) and Moose Lake (14 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 23.
What other public land is near William M. Rath WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Hjalmar & Frances Storlie WMA: 79 acres, 4 miles away
- Dye WMA: 161 acres, 10 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of William M. Rath WMA
Counting William M. Rath WMA itself, 9,690 of the 29,384 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (33%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State forest and other DNR land | 8,834 |
| State wildlife management areas | 856 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is William M. Rath WMA?
In Pine County, near Bruno. The DNR's directions: From Bruno, go 5 mi NE on CORD 44. Then go 2.3 mi e on CORD 171. Parking lot (with kiosk) on S side of road.
Which deer permit area is William M. Rath WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 154. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around William M. Rath WMA?
9,690 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, William M. Rath WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 2 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Hjalmar & Frances Storlie WMA (4 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, William M. Rath 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.