Wildlife Management Areas

DNR Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)

The City of St. Francis is home to two Wildlife Management Areas (WMA); Bethel WMA and Carl E. Bonnell WMA. The Bethel WMA is located on the eastern edge of town and accessible off of County Rd 24. The Carl E. Bonnell WMA is located on the west side of town and is accessible off of Ambassador Blvd NW (County Rd. 28)

Wildlife management areas (WMAs) are part of Minnesota's outdoor recreation system and are established to protect those lands and waters that have a high potential for wildlife production, public hunting, trapping, fishing, and other compatible recreational uses. They are the backbone to DNR's wildlife management efforts in Minnesota and are key to:

• protecting wildlife habitat for future generations
• providing citizens with opportunities for hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching
• promoting important wildlife-based tourism in the state