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WMA in Redwood County
Hunting Cedar Rock Wildlife Management Area, Minnesota public land
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this wildlife management area in Redwood County and 1 neighbor, 947 acres.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Cedar Rock Wildlife Management Area
Cedar Rock WMA at a glance for hunters
You get 947 acres at Cedar Rock WMA, which lies in Redwood and Renville counties. By size it ranks 3rd of the 27 wildlife management areas we list in Redwood County. The 2 subunits are South East Unit (654 ac) and North West Unit (293 ac).
DPA 281 sets the deer limit here: 3-deer limit this year. The managing office is New London (DNR Wildlife), newlondon.wildlife@state.mn.us. DNR lists Pittman-Robertson as the federal aid source for Cedar Rock WMA.
Listed game: deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey.
- 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 Cedar Rock Wildlife Management Area
What is allowed on Cedar Rock WMA
Short version of the rules that apply on Cedar Rock WMA, taken from the managing agency.
| What | Rule here |
|---|---|
| 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.
Deer on Cedar Rock WMA in 2026-27
Deer on Cedar Rock WMA fall under DPA 281: 3-deer limit, 200 series. Fill the DPA 281 limit of 3 with your license plus bonus permits.
| Deer window | From | To | Open now? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Mandatory CWD sampling applies Nov. 7-8 (2026 surveillance block). DPA 281 spans 609 square miles. DPA 281 reaches Renville, Yellow Medicine, Redwood and Chippewa counties.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Cedar Rock WMA hunting calendar 2026-27
Cedar Rock WMA season dates for 2026-27, picked by its game species list and its deer permit area.
| Species | Season | Applies | Opens | Closes | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 281 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 281 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 281 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring archery-only | Statewide | Apr 14, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period A | Statewide | Apr 14, 2027 | Apr 20, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth | Statewide | Apr 14, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period B | Statewide | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period C | Statewide | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period D | Statewide | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period E | Statewide | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period F | Statewide | May 19, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 |
Furbearer rows list both zones: the line follows I-94 and US 10, so check which side of it you hunt.
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026. All Minnesota seasons.
Cedar Rock WMA: access points
0 parking points and the route text DNR posts for Cedar Rock WMA.
| Subunit | Acres | Nearest town | Hunting | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South East Unit | 654 | Delhi | Open | – | DNR |
| North West Unit | 293 | Delhi | Open | – | DNR |
- South East Unit: From Delhi take CSAH 9 east to CSAH 17. Turn north on CSAH 17 (gravel) 1 mile. Enter through SNA and walk .25 miles northeast to WMA. The access roads to this unit are minimum maintenance township roads and are in very poor condition.
- North West Unit: From Delhi take CSAH 9 east to CSAH 17. Turn north on CSAH 17 (gravel) 1 mile.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Public land within a drive of Cedar Rock WMA
When Cedar Rock WMA is crowded, Cold Springs WMA sits 0.8 mi away to the east.
| Place | Type | Acres | DPA | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Springs WMA | WMA | 259 | 281 | 0.8 mi | east |
| Cedar Rock SNA | SNA | 62 | 281 | 0.9 mi | northwest |
| River Warren Outcrops SNA | SNA | 90 | 281 | 2.1 mi | northwest |
| Granite Prairie WMA | WMA | 193 | 281 | 2.9 mi | southeast |
| Klabunde WMA | WMA | 203 | 281 | 3.6 mi | southeast |
| Delhi WMA | WMA | 147 | 281 | 3.7 mi | south |
| Whispering Ridge AMA | AMA | 279 | 281 | 3.8 mi | northwest |
| Whispering Ridge WMA | WMA | 269 | 281 | 4.4 mi | northwest |
Points: DNR WMA boundary layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Cedar Rock WMA nearest towns and help
Fuel and food: Delhi lies 2.9 mi from Cedar Rock WMA. For more services, Redwood Falls (5,038) is 5.1 mi out. DNR's nearest town for this unit: Delhi. Nearest DNR desk: Marshall Area Wildlife Office, 31 mi.
| Town | County | People (2024) | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Redwood | 45 | 2.9 mi | west |
| Redwood Falls | Redwood | 5,038 | 5.1 mi | southeast |
| Belview | Redwood | 285 | 8.5 mi | west |
| Morton | Renville | 402 | 9.3 mi | southeast |
| Echo | Yellow Medicine | 235 | 13 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.
Cedar Rock WMA: deer taken in DPA 281
1,343 deer were registered in DPA 281 during 2025, 2.34 per square mile of the unit.
| Year | Adult bucks | Other deer | DPA harvest | Per square mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 749 | 594 | 1,343 | 2.34 |
| 2024 | 753 | 474 | 1,227 | 2.14 |
| 2023 | 620 | 536 | 1,156 | 2.01 |
| 2022 | 693 | 636 | 1,329 | 2.31 |
| 2021 | 721 | 598 | 1,319 | 2.30 |
| 2020 | 686 | 670 | 1,356 | 2.36 |
| 2019 | 630 | 364 | 994 | 1.73 |
| 2018 | 544 | 376 | 920 | 1.60 |
| 2017 | 573 | 430 | 1,003 | 1.75 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Cedar Rock WMA and the rest of Redwood County
Redwood County has 34 public hunting areas on file, Cedar Rock WMA among them. Redwood County lies in the bear no-quota area. The county sits in turkey permit area 504 and 505. Nearest DNR area wildlife office to the county centre: Marshall Area Wildlife Office, (507) 706-6170. Not every public place in Redwood County is open: Ramsey Creek Aquatic Management Area is closed to hunting.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
When shooting starts and stops at Cedar Rock WMA
Sun times computed for Cedar Rock WMA itself, since the 2026 booklet prints no tables.
| Date | Why | Sunrise | Sunset | Legal from | Big game to | Waterfowl to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Archery and grouse opener | 7:03 a.m. | 7:26 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. | 7:56 p.m. | 7:26 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:11 a.m. | 7:13 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. | 7:43 p.m. | 7:13 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:28 a.m. | 6:47 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. | 7:17 p.m. | 6:47 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:05 a.m. | 5:04 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. | 5:34 p.m. | 5:04 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:33 a.m. | 4:44 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. | 5:14 p.m. | 4:44 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:57 a.m. | 4:49 p.m. | 7:27 a.m. | 5:19 p.m. | 4:49 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:40 a.m. | 8:02 p.m. | 6:10 a.m. | 8:32 p.m. | 8:02 p.m. |
Pheasant hours start at 9 a.m.
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.
Ranges a Cedar Rock Wildlife Management Area hunter can reach
From Cedar Rock Wildlife Management Area, the nearest listed range is Redwood Falls Sportsmen's Club at 4 miles; public ranges on file are over 60 miles away. Plinking on the property is not allowed.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026; target shooting rule from the DNR WMA rules.
Cedar Rock WMA region in a few frames
Hunter questions about Cedar Rock WMA, short answers
What deer permit area is Cedar Rock WMA in?
The record puts it in DPA 281: 3-deer limit. Its firearms season: Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Cedar Rock WMA acreage: how much ground is it?
It runs to 947 acres in 2 subunits.
How do you get to Cedar Rock WMA?
From Delhi take CSAH 9 east to CSAH 17. Turn north on CSAH 17 (gravel) 1 mile. Enter through SNA and walk .25 miles northeast to WMA. 0 parking spots on the DNR map.
What game species does Cedar Rock WMA list?
The agency names deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl and wild turkey for Cedar Rock WMA.
Cedar Rock WMA and CWD: what applies?
For CWD, DPA 281 is in the 2026 surveillance block (mandatory sampling Nov. 7-8).
Cedar Rock WMA: who is the land manager?
Questions about Cedar Rock WMA go to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at its New London office.
Cedar Rock WMA neighbors: what public land is nearby?
Short-drive options from the map: Cold Springs WMA (0.8 mi), Cedar Rock SNA (0.9 mi) and River Warren Outcrops SNA (2.1 mi).
On the deer opener, when can you shoot at Cedar Rock WMA?
Deer shooting on Nov. 7 opens at 6:35 a.m. and ends at 5:34 p.m. at the Cedar Rock WMA point.
Can hunters set up a tent camp on Cedar Rock WMA?
Only at designated sites or by permit.
Can blinds stay up overnight at Cedar Rock WMA?
Only for the day: WMA rules make you remove portable stands and blinds daily, outside the northwest Nov. 1-Dec. 31 exception.
Does Cedar Rock WMA allow public hunting?
It is open: DNR lists every subunit of Cedar Rock WMA with an open or partial hunting status.
Other photos on this page: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); James St. John (CC BY 2.0).