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Bjornson Wildlife Management Area hunting, season by season
648 acres of public land open to hunters in Clay County, with DPA 269 deer dates.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Bjornson Wildlife Management Area
Bjornson WMA in brief, from the agency file
648 acres of Clay County belong to Bjornson WMA. Size rank in Clay County: 5th of 19 wildlife management areas. For deer it falls in DPA 269, set at either-sex for 2026.
Questions go to the Detroit Lakes DNR wildlife office at detroitlakes.wildlife@state.mn.us. Its DNR record carries the federal aid code Pittman-Robertson.
DNR notes on the habitat: Excellent deer, waterfowl, and upland bird hunting opportunities.
Game listed: deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl, mourning dove.
- White-tailed Deer
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ruffed Grouse
- American Woodcock
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- Ducks
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Bjornson Wildlife Management Area
Subunits and parking at Bjornson WMA
Each subunit of Bjornson WMA has its own DNR page; the map below pins 1 parking spot.
| Subunit | Acreage | Near | Open? | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bjornson WMA | 648 | Downer | Open | 1 | DNR |
- Bjornson WMA: From Downer, go 6 miles E on CSAH 10. Access is from 210th ST. S., then east on 80th Ave S to parking area near water structure. Access to wetland at this same location.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Bjornson WMA pinned among nearby tracts
Bjornson WPA lies 1.3 mi west of Bjornson WMA, the nearest of 8 public areas within 45 miles.
| Area | Type | Acres | DPA | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bjornson WPA | WPA | 116 | 269 | 1.3 mi | west |
| Clay County WMA | WMA | 925 | 269 | 1.9 mi | south |
| Kenyon WPA | WPA | 779 | 269 | 2.2 mi | east |
| Skree WMA | WMA | 165 | 269 | 2.3 mi | southeast |
| Hawley WMA | WMA | 163 | 269 | 2.7 mi | northeast |
| Hay Creek WMA | WMA | 40 | 269 | 2.7 mi | southeast |
| McDonald WPA | WPA | 40 | 269 | 2.8 mi | south |
| Kasin WPA | WPA | 195 | 269 | 2.9 mi | north |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Rules for hunting Bjornson WMA
Site rules for Bjornson WMA, condensed from the record.
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Hunting, trapping | Regular seasons |
| Vehicles | Designated roads, lots |
| Target shooting | Not allowed |
| Guns in transit | Cased, unloaded |
| Camping | Designated or permit |
| Portable stands, blinds | Remove daily |
| Overnight stands, northwest | Nov 1-Dec 31 |
| Dogs | Leash Apr 16-Jul 14 |
| Drones | Not allowed |
| Gear left overnight | Not allowed |
Sources: record, agency rules; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Bjornson WMA season dates
This table covers Bjornson WMA only: deer rows follow its DPA, the rest come from its game species list.
| Species | Type | Zone or DPA | Begins | Through | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 269 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 269 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 269 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Ruffed, spruce grouse | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Hungarian partridge | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Nov 2, 2026 | |
| Mourning dove | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Rabbits, hares | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Jackrabbit | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Squirrels | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Crow | Crow segment | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Early geese | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Light geese | Early geese | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Teal | Early teal season | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 9, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl | Youth days | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | North Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Nov 24, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | Central Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | North Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Dec 25, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | Central Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Take-a-Kid | Take-a-Kid | Statewide | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | Central Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | Central Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Dec 30, 2026 | |
| Raccoon, foxes | Hunting (north) | North furbearer zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | |
| Badger, opossum, weasels | Hunting (north) | North furbearer zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 6, 2027 | |
| Raccoon, foxes | Hunting (south) | South furbearer zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | |
| Badger, opossum, weasels | Hunting (south) | South furbearer zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunt and trap (north) | North furbearer zone | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 17, 2027 | |
| Crow | Crow segment | Statewide | Dec 15, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunt and trap (south) | South furbearer zone | Jan 2, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Spring light goose | Statewide | Feb 18, 2027 | Apr 30, 2027 | |
| Crow | Crow segment | Statewide | Mar 1, 2027 | Mar 31, 2027 |
Wear blaze orange or pink in the firearms deer season; waterfowl hunters on water are exempt under DNR rules.
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026. All Minnesota seasons.
Deer seasons on Bjornson WMA
200-series DPA 269 carries the either-sex designation this year. One deer of either sex per license in DPA 269.
| Season | Starts | Ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Youth deer | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Firearms, 200 series | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 |
Optional CWD testing only in DPA 269. Size of DPA 269: 652 square miles. Clay and Wilkin share DPA 269.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Deer harvest around Bjornson WMA (DPA 269)
The whole of DPA 269 gave up 464 deer in 2025; the DNR publishes no figure for Bjornson WMA itself.
| Year | Adult male | Rest | Harvest | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 367 | 97 | 464 | 0.71 |
| 2024 | 338 | 80 | 418 | 0.64 |
| 2023 | 294 | 101 | 395 | 0.61 |
| 2022 | 308 | 122 | 430 | 0.66 |
| 2021 | 347 | 111 | 458 | 0.70 |
| 2020 | 372 | 107 | 479 | 0.74 |
| 2019 | 334 | 107 | 441 | 0.68 |
| 2018 | 329 | 140 | 469 | 0.72 |
| 2017 | 321 | 99 | 420 | 0.65 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Bjornson WMA nearby towns
Hawley is the closest town to Bjornson WMA, about 7.4 mi away. The largest nearby is Barnesville (2,765 people). The DNR detail page starts its directions from Downer. For questions, the Detroit Lakes DNR office is 22 mi from Bjornson WMA.
| Town | County | Pop. 2024 | Miles off | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawley | Clay | 2,274 | 7.4 mi | north |
| Barnesville | Clay | 2,765 | 8.9 mi | south |
| Baker | Clay | – | 11 mi | southwest |
| Glyndon | Clay | 1,369 | 13 mi | northwest |
| Sabin | Clay | 601 | 14 mi | west |
Towns from the 2024 Census gazetteer and population estimates; offices and businesses from services.json (DNR and business listings, chain stores and license agents left out); straight-line miles. Checked October 28, 2026.
Bjornson WMA: Clay County facts
Counting Bjornson WMA, Clay County has 82 listed public areas. Clay County is one of the feeding ban counties. Check the Clay County shotgun ordinance (partial shotgun-only ordinance) before bringing a rifle. The no-quota bear area covers Clay County. Clay County turkey hunters declare area 509 and 506. County questions go to Detroit Lakes Area Wildlife Office, Detroit Lakes. 4 places in Clay County are closed to hunting, such as Beva Paulson Memorial Hardwood Forest Scientific and Natural Area.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Range time on the drive to Bjornson Wildlife Management Area
Three ranges near Bjornson Wildlife Management Area follow, starting with Pelican River Gun Club at 19 miles. No target practice on the property, per its rules.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026; target shooting rule from the DNR WMA rules.
A look at the landscape around Bjornson WMA
Bjornson WMA shooting hours on key dates
Times are worked out for the Bjornson WMA map point on Central Time; big game ends half an hour after sunset, birds at sunset.
| Date | Moment | Sunrise | Sunset | Open | Big game close | Birds close |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Archery and grouse opener | 7:07 a.m. | 7:32 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. | 8:02 p.m. | 7:32 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:16 a.m. | 7:18 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. | 7:48 p.m. | 7:18 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:34 a.m. | 6:50 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. | 7:20 p.m. | 6:50 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:15 a.m. | 5:03 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. | 5:33 p.m. | 5:03 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:45 a.m. | 4:42 p.m. | 7:15 a.m. | 5:12 p.m. | 4:42 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:10 a.m. | 4:46 p.m. | 7:40 a.m. | 5:16 p.m. | 4:46 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:42 a.m. | 8:10 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. | 8:40 p.m. | 8:10 p.m. |
Times are rounded to the minute.
Hours rule from the DNR booklet shooting hours page; sun times calculated for the unit point (NOAA method, Central Time); checked October 28, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Straight answers on hunting Bjornson WMA
Where is the access for Bjornson WMA?
From Downer, go 6 miles E on CSAH 10. The map above shows 1 parking pin.
Which species does Bjornson WMA hold?
Game on the agency list for Bjornson WMA: deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl and mourning dove.
Is CWD sampling required at Bjornson WMA?
DNR lists DPA 269 as outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
Who do I call about Bjornson WMA?
Bjornson WMA falls under Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Detroit Lakes office).
Which public ground lies closest to Bjornson WMA?
Next-closest public land: Bjornson WPA (1.3 mi), Clay County WMA (1.9 mi) and Kenyon WPA (2.2 mi).
How early does shooting start at Bjornson WMA on the opener?
Opening day of the firearms season: shooting from 6:45 a.m., done by 5:33 p.m..
Can I camp on Bjornson WMA during the season?
Generally no: designated areas or a permit only.
Can I leave a stand on Bjornson WMA overnight?
Daily removal applies on Bjornson WMA, so plan on a climber or a hang-on you carry out.
Roughly how large is the Bjornson WMA unit?
The mapped size is 648 acres.
Can you hunt on Bjornson WMA this season?
Yes. Hunting and trapping are open on state WMAs during regular seasons unless DNR posts an exception, and Bjornson WMA shows open hunting status.
Which deer permit area holds Bjornson WMA?
Bjornson WMA falls in DPA 269, either-sex. Expect the firearms season from Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Bjornson WMA: three things to confirm first
Carry your license, validate a deer or turkey at the kill site and register it (48 hours for deer and bear, 24 for turkey).
Sources: source · source · source · source · source; regulations from the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); YellowstoneNPS (Public domain).