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Grace Marshes Wildlife Management Area hunting, season by season
922 acres of public land open to hunters in Chippewa County, with DPA 282 deer dates.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Grace Marshes Wildlife Management Area
Grace Marshes WMA in brief, from the agency file
922 acres of Chippewa County belong to Grace Marshes WMA. Size rank in Chippewa County: 2nd of 16 wildlife management areas. DNR splits it into 3 subunits: North East Unit (159 ac), South West Unit (443 ac) and South East Unit (320 ac).
For deer it falls in DPA 282, set at antlerless permit lottery for 2026. Questions go to the New London DNR wildlife office at newlondon.wildlife@state.mn.us.
DNR notes on the habitat: A piece of native prairie exists on the NE tract of this unit which is very unique in this part of MN. Check it out. 600 acres of adjacent private cropland have been enrolled in CREP and permanent cover established. This is a boost to local wildlife populations.
Game listed: deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl, mourning dove, wild turkey.
- White-tailed Deer
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- Ducks
- Canada Goose
- Mourning Dove
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Grace Marshes Wildlife Management Area
Subunits and parking at Grace Marshes WMA
Each subunit of Grace Marshes WMA has its own DNR page; the map below pins 1 parking spot.
| Subunit | Acreage | Near | Open? | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North East Unit | 159 | Clara City | Open | – | DNR |
| South West Unit | 443 | Clara City | Open | 1 | DNR |
| South East Unit | 320 | Murdock | Open | – | DNR |
- North East Unit: From the junction of CR 2 and MN 23 in Clara City, travel N on #2 a distance of 9.7 miles, then turn W on twp. gravel road 9 miles to the NE corner of the main unit. Restricted to adjacent roadways.
- South West Unit: From the junction of CR 2 and MN 23 in Clara City, travel N on #2 a distance of 9.7 miles, then turn W on twp. gravel road 9 miles to the NE corner of the main unit. Restricted to adjacent roadways.
- South East Unit: Take Swift County Road 33 south out of Murdock for 8.5 miles to MN St. Hwy 40. Take a right and head west of Hwy 40 for 6 miles. Take a left and proceed south on Chippewa County Road 5 for 1.3 miles. The parking lot is on the right-hand side of the road. The main parking lot is on the east end of the unit.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Grace Marshes WMA pinned among nearby tracts
Shakopee WMA lies 4.6 mi northeast of Grace Marshes WMA, the nearest of 8 public areas within 45 miles.
| Area | Type | Acres | DPA | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shakopee WMA | WMA | 40 | 282 | 4.6 mi | northeast |
| Numo WMA | WMA | 207 | 282 | 6.8 mi | southwest |
| Boike WMA | WMA | 104 | 282 | 7.5 mi | south |
| Byholt Marsh WMA | WMA | 284 | 278, 282 | 7.7 mi | west |
| Tjosaas WMA | WMA | 98 | 275 | 9.6 mi | northwest |
| Tunsberg WMA | WMA | 81 | 278 | 10 mi | west |
| Jossart WMA | WMA | 200 | 275 | 12 mi | north |
| Bergo WMA | WMA | 189 | 278 | 12 mi | southwest |
Points: DNR WMA boundary layer (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Rules for hunting Grace Marshes WMA
Site rules for Grace Marshes 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.
Grace Marshes WMA season dates
This table covers Grace Marshes 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 282 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 282 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 282 | 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 Grace Marshes WMA
200-series DPA 282 carries the antlerless permit lottery designation this year (25 lottery permits for antlerless deer). To shoot an antlerless deer with a firearm in DPA 282, declare the area in the lottery by Sept. 10.
| 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 282: 1,129 square miles. Renville, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Swift and Meeker share DPA 282.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Deer harvest around Grace Marshes WMA (DPA 282)
The whole of DPA 282 gave up 242 deer in 2025; the DNR publishes no figure for Grace Marshes WMA itself.
| Year | Adult male | Rest | Harvest | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 209 | 33 | 242 | 0.21 |
| 2024 | 187 | 30 | 217 | 0.19 |
| 2023 | 165 | 44 | 209 | 0.19 |
| 2022 | 172 | 38 | 210 | 0.19 |
| 2021 | 180 | 26 | 206 | 0.18 |
| 2020 | 149 | 45 | 194 | 0.25 |
| 2019 | 176 | 35 | 211 | 0.27 |
| 2018 | 124 | 30 | 154 | 0.20 |
| 2017 | 144 | 38 | 182 | 0.23 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Grace Marshes WMA nearby towns
Murdock is the closest town to Grace Marshes WMA, about 12 mi away. The largest nearby is Montevideo (5,300 people). The DNR detail page starts its directions from Clara City. For questions, the Watson DNR office is 17 mi from Grace Marshes WMA.
| Town | County | Pop. 2024 | Miles off | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murdock | Swift | 298 | 12 mi | northeast |
| De Graff | Swift | 108 | 12 mi | north |
| Montevideo | Chippewa | 5,300 | 13 mi | southwest |
| Clara City | Chippewa | 1,390 | 13 mi | southeast |
| Watson | Chippewa | 173 | 13 mi | southwest |
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.
Grace Marshes WMA: Chippewa County facts
Counting Grace Marshes WMA, Chippewa County has 20 listed public areas. The no-quota bear area covers Chippewa County. Chippewa County turkey hunters declare area 506 and 505. County questions go to Appleton Area Wildlife Office, Watson. 1 place in Chippewa County is closed to hunting, such as Gneiss Outcrops 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 Grace Marshes Wildlife Management Area
Three ranges near Grace Marshes Wildlife Management Area follow, starting with Charlies Hunting Club at 16 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 Grace Marshes WMA
Grace Marshes WMA shooting hours on key dates
Times are worked out for the Grace Marshes 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 | 7:04 a.m. | 7:28 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. | 7:58 p.m. | 7:28 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:12 a.m. | 7:15 p.m. | 6:42 a.m. | 7:45 p.m. | 7:15 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:30 a.m. | 6:48 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. | 7:18 p.m. | 6:48 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:08 a.m. | 5:04 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. | 5:34 p.m. | 5:04 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:36 a.m. | 4:44 p.m. | 7:06 a.m. | 5:14 p.m. | 4:44 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:01 a.m. | 4:49 p.m. | 7:31 a.m. | 5:19 p.m. | 4:49 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:41 a.m. | 8:05 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. | 8:35 p.m. | 8:05 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 Grace Marshes WMA
Can you hunt on Grace Marshes WMA this season?
Yes. Hunting and trapping are open on state WMAs during regular seasons unless DNR posts an exception, and Grace Marshes WMA shows open hunting status.
Can I camp on Grace Marshes WMA during the season?
Generally no: designated areas or a permit only.
Which deer permit area holds Grace Marshes WMA?
Grace Marshes WMA falls in DPA 282, antlerless permit lottery. Expect the firearms season from Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Roughly how large is the Grace Marshes WMA unit?
The mapped size is 922 acres in 3 subunits.
Where is the access for Grace Marshes WMA?
From the junction of CR 2 and MN 23 in Clara City, travel N on #2 a distance of 9.7 miles, then turn W on twp. gravel road 9 miles to the NE corner of the main unit. The map above shows 1 parking pin.
Which species does Grace Marshes WMA hold?
Game on the agency list for Grace Marshes WMA: deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl, mourning dove and wild turkey.
Is CWD sampling required at Grace Marshes WMA?
DNR lists DPA 282 as in the 2026 surveillance block (mandatory sampling Nov. 7-8).
Who do I call about Grace Marshes WMA?
Grace Marshes WMA falls under Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (New London office).
Which public ground lies closest to Grace Marshes WMA?
Next-closest public land: Shakopee WMA (4.6 mi), Numo WMA (6.8 mi) and Boike WMA (7.5 mi).
How early does shooting start at Grace Marshes WMA on the opener?
Opening day of the firearms season: shooting from 6:38 a.m., done by 5:34 p.m..
Can I leave a stand on Grace Marshes WMA overnight?
Daily removal applies on Grace Marshes WMA, so plan on a climber or a hang-on you carry out.
Grace Marshes 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); PierreSelim (CC BY 3.0); Frank.Vassen (CC BY 2.0).