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Minnesota WMA
Eastern Wildlife Management Area: seasons, rules and access
1,027 acres of wildlife management area ground in Otter Tail County, deer permit area 240.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Eastern Wildlife Management Area
Eastern WMA on paper: the record in brief
Eastern WMA covers 1,027 acres in Otter Tail County. Among Otter Tail County’s 37 wildlife management areas, it sits 4th for acres. The 2026 deer designation for DPA 240 is 3-deer limit.
Management sits with the Fergus Falls area wildlife staff, reachable at fergusfalls.wildlife@state.mn.us. Federal aid on file for Eastern WMA: Pittman-Robertson.
DNR describes the unit this way: Excellent deer and waterfowl hunting opportunities, as well as ruffed grouse and woodcock.
Hunted here: 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 Eastern Wildlife Management Area
Getting into Eastern WMA
Directions and parking for Eastern WMA as the DNR detail pages give them (0 parking points mapped).
| Piece | Acres | Town | Status | Lots | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern WMA | 1,027 | Parkers Prairie | Open | – | DNR |
- Eastern WMA: From Parkers Prairie, go 6 miles E on CSAH 42. Access and parking area is on the north side of Hwy 42. This trail also provides access to South Maple Lake where a boat can be launched for waterfowl hunting.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Use rules to read before hunting Eastern WMA
Eastern WMA follows the rules below on top of the statewide booklet.
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| 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.
Eastern WMA deer rules: DPA 240
DPA 240 is a 200-series area set to 3-deer limit for 2026. The 3-deer limit in DPA 240 is reached with bonus permits on top of the regular license.
| Deer season | Opening | Closing | Right now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Youth deer | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Early antlerless | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Firearms, 200 series | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 |
DPA 240 has optional CWD testing. At 694 square miles, DPA 240 is the unit deer rules follow. DPA 240 overlaps Otter Tail, Todd and Wadena.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Eastern WMA dates, species by species
Season rows matched to Eastern WMA by its game species list; trapping-only seasons are on the species pages.
| Species | Hunt | Zone | First day | Last day | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 240 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Early antlerless | DPA 240 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 240 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 240 | 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 |
Zone rows for ducks and furbearers depend on map lines, not on this unit; DNR draws them along highways.
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026. All Minnesota seasons.
Harvest trend near Eastern WMA
In 2025 hunters registered 5,068 deer across DPA 240 (7.89 per square mile); the table runs back to 2017.
| Season | Adult males | Antlerless and fawns | DPA total | Deer per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,347 | 2,721 | 5,068 | 7.89 |
| 2024 | 2,360 | 2,097 | 4,457 | 6.94 |
| 2023 | 1,876 | 2,214 | 4,090 | 6.36 |
| 2022 | 1,915 | 2,556 | 4,471 | 6.96 |
| 2021 | 2,463 | 2,560 | 5,023 | 7.82 |
| 2020 | 2,413 | 2,676 | 5,089 | 7.92 |
| 2019 | 2,351 | 2,690 | 5,041 | 7.84 |
| 2018 | 2,071 | 2,579 | 4,650 | 7.24 |
| 2017 | 1,999 | 2,272 | 4,271 | 6.65 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Eastern WMA and the public ground around it
Straight-line distances run from the Eastern WMA map point; Downing WPA (Otter Tail County) (4.9 mi, southwest) leads the list.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | DPA | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downing WPA | WPA | 209 | 213 | 4.9 mi | southwest |
| Starkey WPA | WPA | 94 | 240 | 4.9 mi | west |
| Rose City WPA | WPA | 80 | 213 | 5.1 mi | south |
| Riedel WPA | WPA | 142 | 213 | 5.8 mi | southwest |
| Wrightstown WMA | WMA | 221 | 240 | 6.4 mi | north |
| Spruce Creek WMA | WMA | 365 | 213 | 6.5 mi | south |
| Miltona WMA | WMA | 107 | 213 | 6.6 mi | southwest |
| Schulke WMA | WMA | 38 | 213 | 7.7 mi | southwest |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Otter Tail County around Eastern WMA
In Otter Tail County there are 164 records like Eastern WMA to choose from. Bear: quota area 45 reaches the county, 45 (700 permits) for 2026. Turkey permit area 507 and 506 covers the county. Fergus Falls Area Wildlife Office (Fergus Falls) is the closest area wildlife office to the county centre. Watch for closed ground in Otter Tail County such as Gilmore Waterfowl Production Area.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Gas, food and processors near Eastern WMA
Closest town: Parkers Prairie, 5.4 mi in a straight line from Eastern WMA. The unit page lists Parkers Prairie as nearest town. The nearest DNR office is Fergus Falls Area Wildlife Office in Fergus Falls, 43 mi away.
| Town | County | 2024 population | Away | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parkers Prairie | Otter Tail | 1,029 | 5.4 mi | west |
| Eagle Bend | Todd | 543 | 8.8 mi | east |
| Miltona | Douglas | 442 | 9.3 mi | southwest |
| Bertha | Todd | 548 | 10 mi | northeast |
| Hewitt | Todd | 250 | 12 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.
Before Eastern Wildlife Management Area: where to check a zero
Hunters on Eastern Wildlife Management Area can sight in at Parkers Prairie Sportsmens Club (5 miles), the nearest listing. Target shooting is not allowed on the property itself.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026; target shooting rule from the DNR WMA rules.
Legal hunting hours worked out for Eastern WMA
Shooting starts 30 minutes before sunrise at Eastern WMA; the two closing columns split big game from birds.
| Date | Season | Sunrise | Sunset | First shot | Last, big game | Last, birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Archery and grouse opener | 7:02 a.m. | 7:27 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. | 7:57 p.m. | 7:27 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 | 7:29 a.m. | 6:46 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. | 7:16 p.m. | 6:46 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:09 a.m. | 5:00 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. | 5:30 p.m. | 5:00 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:39 a.m. | 4:40 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. | 5:10 p.m. | 4:40 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:03 a.m. | 4:43 p.m. | 7:33 a.m. | 5:13 p.m. | 4:43 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:38 a.m. | 8:05 p.m. | 6:08 a.m. | 8:35 p.m. | 8:05 p.m. |
Early teal runs sunrise to sunset.
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.
Pictures that suit a day on Eastern WMA
Quick answers before you hunt Eastern WMA
Who manages Eastern WMA?
Eastern WMA is managed by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, from its Fergus Falls office.
What route leads to Eastern WMA?
From Parkers Prairie, go 6 miles E on CSAH 42. Parking points on file: 0.
When is legal light on Eastern WMA for the opener?
For the opener, 6:39 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; birds stop at 5:00 p.m..
Do deer from Eastern WMA need CWD testing?
Its DPA (240) is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
Can decoys or gear stay on Eastern WMA overnight?
Stands are portable-only and leave with you; the one exception is the northwest overnight window from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31.
Where can I hunt public land close to Eastern WMA?
The nearest public units are Downing WPA (Otter Tail County) (4.9 mi), Starkey WPA (4.9 mi) and Rose City WPA (5.1 mi).
May the public hunt Eastern WMA?
Yes. The DNR WMA rules allow hunting and trapping in season on Eastern WMA.
Is camping at Eastern WMA allowed under WMA rules?
Camping is limited to designated areas or a DNR permit.
What are the 2026 deer rules on Eastern WMA?
It is in deer permit area 240 (3-deer limit). Guns: Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Eastern WMA size: how much huntable ground?
Eastern WMA covers 1,027 acres.
What can you hunt on Eastern WMA?
Expect deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl and wild turkey on Eastern WMA, per the record.
Eastern WMA: what to double-check first
Seasons, closures and notices on Eastern WMA can change mid-season; posted signs and the agency page have the final word.
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); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).