Deer Permit Area 239, Minnesota

Flat to gently rolling glaciated landscape transitioning from Red River Valley cropland on the west to lake-dotted mixed forest and wetlands on the east. Habitat is a mosaic of corn and soybean fields, brushy draws, cattail wetlands, aspen stands, and hardwood woodlots. The area sits at the prairie-forest ecotone, with more agricultural ground in the western Clay/Wilkin portions and heavier forest/wetland cover toward Otter Tail and Becker counties.

moderate

Deer are the primary big game species; the agricultural mosaic supports good whitetail densities. Wild turkeys are present and huntable, especially in the eastern wooded portions near Otter Tail and Becker county forests. Ring-necked pheasants are present in the western cropland/grassland fringe near Clay and Wilkin counties, though populations are not as dense as prime southwest MN pheasant range. Ruffed grouse occupy the aspen and mixed-forest areas in the eastern portions of the DPA near Becker County. Black bear are not typically present in this predominantly agricultural zone.

Hunter-choice OTC permit allowing harvest of one buck or one antlerless deer. Part of the CWD surveillance zone — mandatory testing on opening weekend of firearms season (all deer age 1+ must be sampled before leaving the area). Multiple deer harvest opportunities exist as hunters can purchase additional antlerless licenses. The farmland edge habitat and abundant wetland complexes create excellent deer movement corridors, particularly during the rut. Proximity to larger lakes (Otter Tail Lake, Pelican Lake) adds waterfowl hunting in the same trip.