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Follies Wildlife Management Area hunting, season by season
610 acres of public land open to hunters in Kandiyohi County and 1 neighbor, with DPA 277 deer dates.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Follies Wildlife Management Area
Follies WMA in brief, from the agency file
610 acres of Kandiyohi and Stearns counties belong to Follies WMA. Size rank in Kandiyohi County: 4th of 30 wildlife management areas. For deer it falls in DPA 277, set at 3-deer limit for 2026.
Questions go to the New London DNR wildlife office at newlondon.wildlife@state.mn.us. Its DNR record carries the federal aid code Pittman-Robertson.
DNR notes on the habitat: With more acquisition, water depths in the main basin could possibly be raised to create a more productive marsh.
Game listed: deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey, 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 Follies Wildlife Management Area
Subunits and parking at Follies WMA
Each subunit of Follies WMA has its own DNR page; the map below pins 1 parking spot.
| Subunit | Acreage | Near | Open? | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Follies WMA | 610 | New London | Open | 1 | DNR |
- Follies WMA: Travel North from New London on CR 9 (NE end of town) 7.5 miles to the Kandiyohi/Stearns county line. WMA will be on your left (East). Limited to adjacent roadways, access trail, and parking area.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Follies WMA pinned among nearby tracts
Stearns Prairie Heritage WMA lies 1.0 mi northeast of Follies WMA, the nearest of 8 public areas within 45 miles.
| Area | Type | Acres | DPA | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stearns Prairie Heritage WMA | WMA | 756 | 218, 277 | 1.0 mi | northeast |
| Regal Meadows WMA | WMA | 306 | 277 | 1.5 mi | east |
| Burbank WPA | WPA | 898 | 277 | 1.7 mi | south |
| Tribute WMA | WMA | 232 | 218 | 1.8 mi | north |
| Crow River WMA | WMA | 155 | 277 | 2.8 mi | northwest |
| Gravel Pit 1062 WMA | WMA | 15 | 218 | 4.6 mi | northwest |
| Burbank WMA | WMA | 506 | 277 | 4.8 mi | south |
| Regal Flats WMA | WMA | 508 | 277 | 5.0 mi | east |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Rules for hunting Follies WMA
Site rules for Follies 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.
Follies WMA season dates
This table covers Follies 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 277 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Early antlerless | DPA 277 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 277 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 277 | 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 | |
| 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 Follies WMA
200-series DPA 277 carries the 3-deer limit designation this year. With bonus permits, a hunter can fill the 3-deer limit in DPA 277.
| Season | Starts | Ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Adult deer shot Nov. 7-8 here must be sampled. Size of DPA 277: 1,147 square miles. Kandiyohi, Meeker, Pope, Swift and Stearns share DPA 277.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Deer harvest around Follies WMA (DPA 277)
The whole of DPA 277 gave up 4,575 deer in 2025; the DNR publishes no figure for Follies WMA itself.
| Year | Adult male | Rest | Harvest | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,281 | 2,294 | 4,575 | 4.32 |
| 2024 | 2,360 | 1,941 | 4,301 | 4.07 |
| 2023 | 1,905 | 2,108 | 4,013 | 3.79 |
| 2022 | 2,085 | 2,690 | 4,775 | 4.51 |
| 2021 | 2,325 | 2,759 | 5,084 | 4.81 |
| 2020 | 2,051 | 2,129 | 4,180 | 5.15 |
| 2019 | 1,873 | 1,220 | 3,093 | 3.81 |
| 2018 | 1,668 | 1,317 | 2,985 | 3.68 |
| 2017 | 1,630 | 1,356 | 2,986 | 3.68 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Follies WMA nearby towns
Regal is the closest town to Follies WMA, about 3.5 mi away. The largest nearby is New London (1,316 people). The DNR detail page starts its directions from New London. For questions, the New London DNR office is 9.0 mi from Follies WMA.
| Town | County | Pop. 2024 | Miles off | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regal | Kandiyohi | 40 | 3.5 mi | east |
| Belgrade | Stearns | 742 | 5.0 mi | northwest |
| Lake Henry | Stearns | 77 | 6.6 mi | northeast |
| New London | Kandiyohi | 1,316 | 8.1 mi | south |
| Spring Hill | Stearns | 71 | 8.6 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.
Follies WMA: Kandiyohi County facts
Counting Follies WMA, Kandiyohi County has 99 listed public areas. Check the Kandiyohi County shotgun ordinance (shotgun-only ordinance) before bringing a rifle. The no-quota bear area covers Kandiyohi County. Kandiyohi County turkey hunters declare area 507 and 506. County questions go to New London Area Wildlife Office, New London. 1 place in Kandiyohi County is closed to hunting, such as Florida Lake Aquatic Management 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 Follies Wildlife Management Area
Three ranges near Follies Wildlife Management Area follow, starting with Paynesville Sportsmens Club at 12 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.
Follies Wildlife Management Area and nearby events
On the ground itself or close by: 1 upcoming event, covering DU chapter party.
Next on the calendar
| When | Listing | Distance | Venue | Tickets or seats | Read at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 16, 2027 | Lakes Country Holiday Bash 2027, a DU chapter party | 10 | Paynesville American Legion | Buy tickets | Source |
A look at the landscape around Follies WMA
Follies WMA shooting hours on key dates
Times are worked out for the Follies 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 | 7:01 a.m. | 7:26 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. | 7:56 p.m. | 7:26 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:10 a.m. | 7:12 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. | 7:42 p.m. | 7:12 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:28 a.m. | 6:45 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. | 7:15 p.m. | 6:45 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:06 a.m. | 5:01 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. | 5:31 p.m. | 5:01 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:35 a.m. | 4:41 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. | 5:11 p.m. | 4:41 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:59 a.m. | 4:45 p.m. | 7:29 a.m. | 5:15 p.m. | 4:45 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:38 a.m. | 8:03 p.m. | 6:08 a.m. | 8:33 p.m. | 8:03 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 Follies WMA
Roughly how large is the Follies WMA unit?
The mapped size is 610 acres.
Can you hunt on Follies WMA this season?
Yes. Hunting and trapping are open on state WMAs during regular seasons unless DNR posts an exception, and Follies WMA shows open hunting status.
Which species does Follies WMA hold?
Game on the agency list for Follies WMA: deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey and mourning dove.
Which deer permit area holds Follies WMA?
Follies WMA falls in DPA 277, 3-deer limit. Expect the firearms season from Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Who do I call about Follies WMA?
Follies WMA falls under Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (New London office).
Where is the access for Follies WMA?
Travel North from New London on CR 9 (NE end of town) 7.5 miles to the Kandiyohi/Stearns county line. WMA will be on your left (East). The map above shows 1 parking pin.
How early does shooting start at Follies WMA on the opener?
Opening day of the firearms season: shooting from 6:36 a.m., done by 5:31 p.m..
Is CWD sampling required at Follies WMA?
DNR lists DPA 277 as in the 2026 surveillance block (mandatory sampling Nov. 7-8).
Can I leave a stand on Follies WMA overnight?
Daily removal applies on Follies WMA, so plan on a climber or a hang-on you carry out.
Which public ground lies closest to Follies WMA?
Next-closest public land: Stearns Prairie Heritage WMA (1.0 mi), Regal Meadows WMA (1.5 mi) and Burbank WPA (1.7 mi).
Can I camp on Follies WMA during the season?
Generally no: designated areas or a permit only.
Follies 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-SA 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); Charles Patrick Ewing (CC BY 2.0).