How did WMAs get started?
Minnesota’s WMA system started in 1951, when the State established its “Save the Wetlands” program to buy wetlands and other habitats from willing sellers to address the alarming loss of wildlife habitat in the state. Initiated by a handful of visionary wildlife managers, the WMA program evolved into the present-day system of WMAs. How many WMAs are there and where are they located? As a result of more than 50 years of support by hunters, trappers, wildlife enthusiasts, and legislators, today there are over 1.29 million acres of high quality habitat in 1,440 WMAs located throughout the state, making it one of the best and largest WMA systems in the country. Who uses WMAs? Ranging from prairies and wetlands to forests and brushlands, WMAs provide opportunities for hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife watching activities. Hundreds of thousands of hunters use these public wildlife lands. Pheasants, waterfowl, deer, and ruffed grouse are the major game species hunted, but WMAs also pro
