Deer Permit Area 203, Minnesota
Unit info
- Game species
- White-tailed Deer
- Group
- Zone 200 — Central Minnesota
- Area
- 132 mi²
- Public land
- N/A
White-tailed Deer — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 85
Draw odds for White-tailed Deeraren't on file for this unit yet. Check your state wildlife agency website for current draw statistics.
About this unit
AI-compiled · sourcedDPA 203 is located in eastern Marshall County in northwest Minnesota and consists entirely of public land centered on the Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge, one of the largest wetland complexes in the continental U.S. The DPA is managed bucks-only with a one-deer limit, reflecting a recovering deer population that has been growing slowly after mild recent winters. Access is excellent with 118 square miles of publicly accessible land including 83 sq. mi. of USFWS refuge/WPA land and 35 sq. mi. of State WMAs (Mud Lac, Elm Lake, and Eckvoll), but all-terrain wetland navigation is challenging.
Flat glacial lake plain in northwest Minnesota (Marshall County). Approximately 75% wetlands and grasslands, 20% woodlands, and 5% open water. Dominated by the Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge wetland complex along the Thief River corridor. Minimal row-crop agriculture — essentially no annual cropland within the DPA.
low
Deer (whitetail) is the primary game species. The refuge and WMA wetland complex provides outstanding waterfowl hunting (ducks, geese) separate from the DPA deer designation. No pheasant range — too far north. Ruffed grouse habitat is minimal given lack of upland forest. Black bear not present in significant numbers this far into the prairie/wetland zone. Wild turkey range does not reliably extend into Marshall County. Deer-only DPA for practical purposes.
Entirely public land centered on Agassiz NWR — one of the largest freshwater marshes in the lower 48. Bucks-only designation with all legal firearms allowed (no shotgun-only restriction applies here despite 200-series placement). Low hunter density at approximately 1 hunter per sq. mi. of land. 2024 harvest was 77 total deer (73 adult bucks via firearms). Deer population is recovering slowly; management target is 25% increase above current levels. No CWD detected — optional CWD testing only.
Questions, tips & discussion
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Boundaries: MN DNR official Deer Permit Areas. Community info last updated 23d ago.