There are numerous wildlife management areas near Kennedy.
Beaches Lake Nearest Town: Lancaster Description: One of the largest wildlife management areas in the state, comprised of a mixture of wetlands, aspen timber, brush prairie, brush lands and old fields. Rare birds found in the sedge meadows include marbled godwit, sharp-tailed sparrow and yellow rail. Several rare butterflies can also be found here. In September and October, elk can be spotted in openings, especially at dawn and dusk. Hunting Options: deer, bear, small game, forest game birds, sharptail grouse, waterfowl, and wolves. Wildlife Viewing Options: wetland wildlife, prairie wildlife, and forest wildlife.
Cannon Nearest Town: Lancaster Description: The Cannon WMA is a mix of young aspen, willow brush, upland and lowland grasses. Located between the larger Skull Lake and Beaches Lake WMAs. It is a good area to observe both open land and brushland species of wildlife. The rare marbled godwit with its long up-curved bill and loud call is a breeder in the area. In September and October, elk can be spotted in openings, especially at dawn and dusk. Hunting Options: deer, bear, small game, sharptail grouse, and wolves. Wildlife Viewing Options: prairie wildlife.
Caribou Nearest Town: Lancaster Description: The Caribou WMA is a prime example of the Aspen Parkland Landscape in NW Minnesota. There is very diverse native vegetation area that offers a wide selection of opportunities. Timely bird watching will produce a long list of species native to NW Minnesota. A wide variety of prairie and brush land plants can be found. In September and October, elk can be spotted in openings, especially at dawn and dusk. Hunting Options: deer, bear, small game, sharptail grouse, waterfowl, and wolves. Wildlife Viewing Options: wetland wildlife, and prairie wildlife.
Deerwood Nearest Town: Karlstad Description: The Deerwood WMA is four separate tracts of State Trust lands. Winter opportunities include snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Fall hunting opportunities exist for several big game species. Summer flowers of the prairie, such as blazing star, may be seen here and photography opportunities are excellent. Hunting Options: deer, bear, small game, and sharptail grouse. Wildlife Viewing Options: wetland wildlife, and prairie wildlife.
Devil's Playground Nearest Town: Karlstad Description: Winter snowmobiling is available. Spring is an excellent time of year to view migrating waterfowl and sandhill cranes. Unique prairie plants exist in the summer. Fall hunting opportunities are excellent. This unit's name was the name given to this general area because of the ease of getting turned around and lost. A compass is recommended. Hunting Options:deer, small game, forest game birds, sharptail grouse, and wolves. Wildlife Viewing Options: prairie wildlife, and forest wildlife.
Halma Swamp Nearest Town: Halma Description: Moslty aspen forest and lowland willow brushland, the Halma Swamp WMA offers good woodland habitat for wildlife. The rank willow and mature timber are cut to provide young plants for deer, moose, woodcock and ruffed grouse. This unit contains several unique features including orchids, wet prairie, several species of willow, and sedges. It is an excellent area for bird watching since it is a heavily wooded area close to the intensively farmed Red River Valley. Hunting Options: deer, bear, small game, forest game birds, sharptail grouse, and wolves. Wildlife Viewing Options: prairie wildlife, and forest wildlife.
Joe River Nearest Town: Humboldt Description: The Joe River WMA was established on the eastern edge of the Red River Prairie in NW Kittson County in 1966. There are limited opportunities for waterfowl, sharp-tailed grouse and Hungarian partridge hunting. Muskrat, mink, raccoon, and fox offer some trapping. Excellent area to view migrating waterfowl and wetland birds in the spring. Hunting Options: deer, small game, sharptail grouse, and waterfowl. Wildlife Viewing Options: wetland wildlife, and prairie wildlife.
Pelan Nearest Town: Halma Description: The Pelan WMA is a mixture of off-site aspen, scattered oak, brush prairie, and emergent wetland. Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, bird wartching and photography oportunities exist. Hunting opportunities exist for upland game birds as well as big game species. In September and October, elk can be spotted in openings, especially at dawn and dusk. Hunting Options: deer, bear, small game, sharptail grouse, and wolves. Wildlife Viewing Options: wetland wildlife, and prairie wildlife.
Percy Nearest Town: Lake Bronson Description: The Percy WMA is a mixture of mostly aspen timber, lowland brush and emergent wetlands. Large flocks of cranes can be seen here in September. Fall hunting opportunities include duck hunting and deer hunting. Moose are often seen. Hunting Options: deer, bear, small game, forest game birds, sharptail grouse, waterfowl, and wolves. Wildlife Viewing Options: prairie wildlife, and forest wildlife.
Skull Lake Nearest Town: Lancaster Description: The Skull Lake WMA is 770 acres of dry native prairie, oak savanna and brushlands, 3800 acres of wetlands, and 2500 acres of aspen. Three camping areas are identified with "Camping Permitted" signs. A groomed snowmobile trail runs through the unit. Moose, sharp-tailed grouse, yellow rail, upland sandpiper, American bittern, sandhill cranes, and a variety of waterfowl can be seen on this unit. In September and October, elk can be spotted in openings, especially at dawn and dusk. Hunting Options: deer, bear, small game, forest game birds, sharptail grouse, waterfowl, and wolves. Wildlife Viewing Options: wetland wildlife, prairie wildlife, and forest wildlife.
Twin Lakes
Nearest Town: Karlstad
Description: The Twin Lakes WMA is a large unit over 8,000 acres in size. Over half of the unit is wetland, along with large and small blocks of aspen timber, oak savanna with dry prairie, and some cropland for foodplots. Recreation opportunities include hiking, snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, berry picking, canoeing, and wildlife viewing. Water access is available at several locations adjacent to the marshes. Distinctive wildflowers include Culver's root, northern gentian, asters, blazing stars, goldenrod, and sunflowers. Moose, sandhill cranes, sharp-tailed grouse, sharp-tailed sparrow, American bittern, short-eared owl, and yellow rail frequent the WMA. There is a viewing platform located off Hwy 11 that overlooks
the marsh and is wheelchair accessible.
Hunting Options: deer, bear, small game, forest game birds, waterfowl, doves, and wolves.
Wildlife Viewing Options: wetland wildlife, prairie wildlife, and forest wildlife.