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David B. Vesall Wildlife Management Area hunting, season by season
646 acres of public land open to hunters in Lac qui Parle County, with DPA 279 deer dates.
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Getting to David B. Vesall Wildlife Management Area
David B. Vesall WMA in brief, from the agency file
646 acres of Lac qui Parle County belong to David B. Vesall WMA. Size rank in Lac qui Parle County: 4th of 44 wildlife management areas. For deer it falls in DPA 279, set at 2-deer limit for 2026.
Questions go to the Appleton DNR wildlife office at appleton.wildlife@state.mn.us.
DNR notes on the habitat: Access is available at several locations. A county ditch running N-S is difficult to cross most times of the year. The designated parking area is located in the SW portion of the unit off of Highway 40.
Game listed: deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey, mourning dove.
- White-tailed Deer
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- Ducks
- Canada Goose
- Wild Turkey
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around David B. Vesall Wildlife Management Area
Subunits and parking at David B. Vesall WMA
Each subunit of David B. Vesall WMA has its own DNR page; the map below pins 0 parking spots.
| Subunit | Acreage | Near | Open? | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David B. Vesall WMA | 646 | Madison | Open | – | DNR |
- David B. Vesall WMA: From Madison, go 9 miles W on SH 40 to the WMA on the right.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
David B. Vesall WMA pinned among nearby tracts
Northeast Four Corners WMA lies 2.9 mi southeast of David B. Vesall WMA, the nearest of 8 public areas within 45 miles.
| Area | Type | Acres | DPA | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Four Corners WMA | WMA | 362 | 279 | 2.9 mi | southeast |
| Gollnick WMA | WMA | 517 | 279 | 3.6 mi | southeast |
| Yellow Bank Hills SNA | SNA | 77 | 279 | 3.6 mi | northwest |
| Walter WMA | WMA | 511 | 278 | 3.8 mi | north |
| Quilitz WMA | WMA | 384 | 278, 279 | 4.1 mi | northeast |
| Haydenville WMA | WMA | 484 | 279 | 4.2 mi | east |
| Salt Lake WMA | WMA | 781 | 279 | 4.2 mi | southwest |
| Hackert WPA | WPA | 40 | 278 | 4.7 mi | north |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Rules for hunting David B. Vesall WMA
Site rules for David B. Vesall 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.
David B. Vesall WMA season dates
This table covers David B. Vesall 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 279 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 279 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 279 | 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 | |
| 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 David B. Vesall WMA
200-series DPA 279 carries the 2-deer limit designation this year. With bonus permits, a hunter can fill the 2-deer limit in DPA 279.
| 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 |
Adult deer shot Nov. 7-8 here must be sampled. Size of DPA 279: 346 square miles. Lac qui Parle and Yellow Medicine share DPA 279.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Deer harvest around David B. Vesall WMA (DPA 279)
The whole of DPA 279 gave up 397 deer in 2025; the DNR publishes no figure for David B. Vesall WMA itself.
| Year | Adult male | Rest | Harvest | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 275 | 122 | 397 | 1.16 |
| 2024 | 255 | 115 | 370 | 1.08 |
| 2023 | 213 | 145 | 358 | 1.04 |
| 2022 | 242 | 150 | 392 | 1.14 |
| 2021 | 259 | 134 | 393 | 1.14 |
| 2020 | 207 | 187 | 394 | 1.15 |
| 2019 | 228 | 112 | 340 | 0.99 |
| 2018 | 190 | 94 | 284 | 0.83 |
| 2017 | 196 | 168 | 364 | 1.06 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
David B. Vesall WMA nearby towns
Marietta is the closest town to David B. Vesall WMA, about 1.7 mi away. The largest nearby is Madison (1,488 people). The DNR detail page starts its directions from Madison. For questions, the Watson DNR office is 24 mi from David B. Vesall WMA.
| Town | County | Pop. 2024 | Miles off | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marietta | Lac qui Parle | 116 | 1.7 mi | west |
| Nassau | Lac qui Parle | 66 | 4.6 mi | northwest |
| Madison | Lac qui Parle | 1,488 | 9.5 mi | east |
| Bellingham | Lac qui Parle | 141 | 9.7 mi | northeast |
| Louisburg | Lac qui Parle | 29 | 15 mi | northeast |
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.
David B. Vesall WMA: Lac qui Parle County facts
Counting David B. Vesall WMA, Lac qui Parle County has 69 listed public areas. The no-quota bear area covers Lac qui Parle County. Lac qui Parle County turkey hunters declare area 504 and 505. County questions go to Appleton Area Wildlife Office, Watson.
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 David B. Vesall Wildlife Management Area
Three ranges near David B. Vesall Wildlife Management Area follow, starting with Dawson Rod & Gun Club at 17 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 David B. Vesall WMA
David B. Vesall WMA shooting hours on key dates
Times are worked out for the David B. Vesall 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. | 7:31 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. | 8:01 p.m. | 7:31 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 | 7:33 a.m. | 6:52 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. | 7:22 p.m. | 6:52 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:11 a.m. | 5:07 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. | 5:37 p.m. | 5:07 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:40 a.m. | 4:48 p.m. | 7:10 a.m. | 5:18 p.m. | 4:48 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:04 a.m. | 4:52 p.m. | 7:34 a.m. | 5:22 p.m. | 4:52 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:44 a.m. | 8:08 p.m. | 6:14 a.m. | 8:38 p.m. | 8:08 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 David B. Vesall WMA
Which deer permit area holds David B. Vesall WMA?
David B. Vesall WMA falls in DPA 279, 2-deer limit. Expect the firearms season from Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Roughly how large is the David B. Vesall WMA unit?
The mapped size is 646 acres.
Where is the access for David B. Vesall WMA?
From Madison, go 9 miles W on SH 40 to the WMA on the right. Park on the road shoulder only where legal.
Which species does David B. Vesall WMA hold?
Game on the agency list for David B. Vesall WMA: deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey and mourning dove.
Is CWD sampling required at David B. Vesall WMA?
DNR lists DPA 279 as in the 2026 surveillance block (mandatory sampling Nov. 7-8).
Who do I call about David B. Vesall WMA?
David B. Vesall WMA falls under Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Appleton office).
Which public ground lies closest to David B. Vesall WMA?
Next-closest public land: Northeast Four Corners WMA (2.9 mi), Gollnick WMA (3.6 mi) and Yellow Bank Hills SNA (3.6 mi).
How early does shooting start at David B. Vesall WMA on the opener?
Opening day of the firearms season: shooting from 6:41 a.m., done by 5:37 p.m..
Can I camp on David B. Vesall WMA during the season?
Generally no: designated areas or a permit only.
Can I leave a stand on David B. Vesall WMA overnight?
Daily removal applies on David B. Vesall WMA, so plan on a climber or a hang-on you carry out.
Can you hunt on David B. Vesall WMA this season?
Yes. Hunting and trapping are open on state WMAs during regular seasons unless DNR posts an exception, and David B. Vesall WMA shows open hunting status.
David B. Vesall 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: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).