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WMA · Central region
Hardwood Creek Wildlife Management Area hunting, 2026-27
Seasons, access rules and the nearest towns for this wildlife management area in Washington County.
Photo: fastfonz (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Hardwood Creek Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Hardwood Creek Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
What the file says about Hardwood Creek WMA
Hardwood Creek WMA adds 583 acres of public ground to Washington County. Line up the 6 wildlife management areas in Washington County by acres and Hardwood Creek WMA comes 3rd. Its deer permit area is 236; the 2026 designation there is 3-deer limit.
DNR runs Hardwood Creek WMA from its North Metro area office; email forestlake.wildlife@state.mn.us. Federal aid noted by DNR for Hardwood Creek WMA: Pittman-Robertson.
In DNR's words: Hardwood Creek WMA is part of the largest complex of native habitat remaining in Washington County. A 60 acre tamarack bog and high quality maple-basswood forest are the highlights of this area.
Species on the record: deer, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, wild turkey.
- White-tailed Deer
- Black Bear
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ruffed Grouse
- American Woodcock
- Ring-necked Pheasant
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Hardwood Creek Wildlife Management Area
Hardwood Creek WMA route text and lots
Use these DNR directions to find Hardwood Creek WMA; the map pins its 2 parking points.
| Section | Acres | Town | Hunting | Lots | DNR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood Creek WMA | 583 | Forest Lake | Open | 2 | DNR |
- Hardwood Creek WMA: 1 mile south of Forest Lake on Hwy 61, then 1 1/2 miles east on Co Rd 50, then 1/2 mile south on Harrow Ave, then 1/2 mile east on 195th St. Wheelchair access is limited to gravel parking lots on the north of each parcel.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Hardwood Creek WMA access rules
The rows below restate the access rules on the agency record for Hardwood Creek WMA.
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| 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 |
- The NW portion of the west unit of this WMA, adjacent to the parking lot, is closed to the discharge of firearms. Look for signs posted indicating this boundary.
Sources: record, agency rules; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Hardwood Creek WMA and deer permit area 236
The 2026 designation for DPA 236 is 3-deer limit; firearms dates follow the 200-series window. DPA 236 allows 3 deer, so bonus permits come into play after the first deer.
| Hunt | First day | Last day | 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 |
CWD sampling in DPA 236 is voluntary. The DPA covers 401 square miles. DPA 236 counties: Chisago, Washington and Anoka.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Seasons open on Hardwood Creek WMA
Dated seasons that apply on Hardwood Creek WMA (32 rows), with today's status in the last column.
| Quarry | Season | Where | Opening | Closing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 236 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Early antlerless | DPA 236 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 236 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 236 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | No-quota area | No Quota Area | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 18, 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 | |
| Take-a-Kid | Take-a-Kid | Statewide | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 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 | |
| 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 | |
| Crow | Crow segment | Statewide | Mar 1, 2027 | Mar 31, 2027 |
Waterfowl rows show the North, Central and South zones because DNR draws those lines on highways (MN 210/23/39, US 212/I-494/I-94), not by unit; check the DNR map.
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026. All Minnesota seasons.
DPA 236 harvest, the area around Hardwood Creek WMA
Harvest numbers below are DPA 236 totals (2,388 in 2025), the closest DNR figure for Hardwood Creek WMA.
| Season | Bucks (adult) | Others | Registered | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,324 | 1,064 | 2,388 | 6.46 |
| 2024 | 1,182 | 903 | 2,085 | 5.64 |
| 2023 | 1,092 | 894 | 1,986 | 5.37 |
| 2022 | 1,088 | 986 | 2,074 | 5.61 |
| 2021 | 1,106 | 837 | 1,943 | 5.25 |
| 2020 | 1,111 | 992 | 2,103 | 5.69 |
| 2019 | 979 | 834 | 1,813 | 4.90 |
| 2018 | 907 | 744 | 1,651 | 4.46 |
| 2017 | 874 | 859 | 1,733 | 4.69 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Hardwood Creek WMA on the map with nearby land
Big pins mark Hardwood Creek WMA and its parking; Keystone Woods WMA is the nearest neighbor at 4.2 mi.
| Neighbor | Category | Acreage | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keystone Woods WMA | WMA | 1,840 | 236 | 4.2 mi | southeast |
| Paul Hugo Farms WMA | WMA | 357 | 236 | 4.9 mi | south |
| Lamprey Pass WMA | WMA | 1,277 | 236 | 5.4 mi | northwest |
| William O'Brien State Park | State park | 1,909 | 236 | 8.0 mi | east |
| Rutstrum WMA | WMA | 24 | 236 | 8.8 mi | east |
| Carlos Avery WMA | WMA | 24,598 | 235 | 9.2 mi | northwest |
| Linwood Lake AMA | AMA | 49 | 227 | 13 mi | northwest |
| Gordie Mikkelson WMA | WMA | 860 | 227 | 14 mi | northwest |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
What Washington County adds to a Hardwood Creek WMA trip
Hardwood Creek WMA is one of 8 public places we list in Washington County. Feeding ban: Washington County is inside it. Bear licenses in Washington County are no-quota, sold over the counter. Turkey: permit area 510. Area wildlife office: North Metro Area Wildlife Office ((651) 539-3324). Do not mistake Hardwood Creek WMA for closed Washington County ground such as Brown's Creek Aquatic Management Area and Crystal Spring Scientific and Natural Area.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Supplies and help close to Hardwood Creek WMA
From Hardwood Creek WMA the nearest town is Forest Lake (2.2 mi). On the DNR record, the reference town is Forest Lake. DNR staff closest to Hardwood Creek WMA work out of Forest Lake (10 mi).
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Lake | Washington | 20,700 | 2.2 mi | northwest |
| Hugo | Washington | 16,765 | 4.6 mi | south |
| Scandia | Washington | 3,951 | 5.2 mi | east |
| Centerville | Anoka | 3,956 | 7.2 mi | southwest |
| Wyoming | Chisago | 8,173 | 7.9 mi | north |
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.
Events at or near Hardwood Creek Wildlife Management Area
Checked October 28, 2026: 3 upcoming events at or near the property (DU gun or purse bingo).
Still to come
| Dates | What | How far | Place | Next step | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 1, 2026 | Gun Bingo At Splitrocks!, a DU gun or purse bingo | 8 | Split Rocks (Wyoming) | Buy tickets | Source |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Forest Lake Trap Team Boomstick Bingo!, a DU gun or purse bingo | 2 | American Legion Post 225 (Forest Lake) | Buy tickets | Source |
| Dec 5, 2026 | Ducks Unlimited and Hugo Legion Bingo!, a DU gun or purse bingo | 5 | American Legion Post 620 (Hugo) | Buy tickets | Source |
Range options on the drive to Hardwood Creek Wildlife Management Area
Ramsey County has the public range nearest Hardwood Creek Wildlife Management Area: Marsden Archery Range (14 miles). Two club ranges follow. The property rules exclude target shooting.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026; target shooting rule from the DNR WMA rules.
Hardwood Creek WMA legal light on key dates
Legal light at Hardwood Creek WMA: half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset for deer and bear, and to sunset for turkey, waterfowl and small game.
| Day | Season point | Sun up | Sun down | Shooting opens | Deer close | Bird close |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Archery and grouse opener | 6:54 a.m. | 7:18 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. | 7:48 p.m. | 7:18 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:02 a.m. | 7:04 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. | 7:34 p.m. | 7:04 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:19 a.m. | 6:38 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. | 7:08 p.m. | 6:38 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 6:58 a.m. | 4:53 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. | 5:23 p.m. | 4:53 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:26 a.m. | 4:34 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. | 5:04 p.m. | 4:34 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:51 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 7:21 a.m. | 5:08 p.m. | 4:38 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:30 a.m. | 7:54 p.m. | 6:00 a.m. | 8:24 p.m. | 7:54 p.m. |
Raccoon and fox may be hunted at night under DNR rules.
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.
Photos to set the scene for Hardwood Creek WMA
Hardwood Creek WMA questions answered from its record
How do hunters reach Hardwood Creek WMA?
1 mile south of Forest Lake on Hwy 61, then 1 1/2 miles east on Co Rd 50, then 1/2 mile south on Harrow Ave, then 1/2 mile east on 195th St. Lots mapped: 2.
Who holds title to Hardwood Creek WMA?
Land manager for Hardwood Creek WMA: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, North Metro office.
Does chronic wasting disease testing apply on Hardwood Creek WMA?
DPA 236 is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
What are the legal shooting hours at Hardwood Creek WMA?
On the Nov. 7 firearms opener, legal deer hours at Hardwood Creek WMA run 6:28 a.m. to 5:23 p.m..
If Hardwood Creek WMA is full, where is the next public land?
Public ground nearest by straight line: Keystone Woods WMA (4.2 mi), Paul Hugo Farms WMA (4.9 mi) and Lamprey Pass WMA (5.4 mi).
Are tree stands allowed on Hardwood Creek WMA, and for how long?
No. Portable stands and blinds come off Hardwood Creek WMA every day (northwest Minnesota has an overnight exception Nov. 1-Dec. 31), and no equipment stays overnight.
Hardwood Creek WMA: is overnight camping allowed?
Not unless DNR designates a site or issues a permit; WMA rules bar other camping.
Is hunting legal on Hardwood Creek WMA in 2026-27?
Yes, in the regular seasons. Read the special restrictions on the DNR page and watch for posted refuge areas.
How many acres of hunting does Hardwood Creek WMA offer?
583 acres.
What DPA is Hardwood Creek WMA, and what is its designation?
DPA 236 (200 series, 3-deer limit). Firearms deer runs Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026 there.
What animals can be hunted at Hardwood Creek WMA?
Deer, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant and wild turkey, according to the agency page for Hardwood Creek WMA.
Other photos on this page: USFWS Mountain Prairie (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).