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WMA · Northwest region
Hunters Paradise Wildlife Management Area hunting, 2026-27
Seasons, access rules and the nearest towns for this wildlife management area in Traverse County.
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Getting to Hunters Paradise Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Hunters Paradise Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 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 Hunters Paradise WMA
Hunters Paradise WMA adds 490 acres of public ground to Traverse County. Line up the 5 wildlife management areas in Traverse County by acres and Hunters Paradise WMA comes 2nd. Its deer permit area is 671; the 2026 designation there is 2-deer limit.
DNR runs Hunters Paradise WMA from its Fergus Falls area office; email fergusfalls.wildlife@state.mn.us. Federal aid noted by DNR for Hunters Paradise WMA: NAWCA Northern Tallgrass 3.
In DNR's words: This WMA has nearly two hundred acres of restored native grasslands and nearly as many acres in cattail wetlands. This WMA provides both nesting cover and abundant winter cover. There are patches of shrubs and small trees scattered across the WMA. The eastern and southern tracts of the Hunters Paradise WMA are being managed through rotational haying and prescribed burning.
Species on the record: 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 Hunters Paradise Wildlife Management Area
Hunters Paradise WMA route text and lots
Use these DNR directions to find Hunters Paradise WMA; the map pins its 0 parking points.
| Section | Acres | Town | Hunting | Lots | DNR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunters Paradise WMA | 490 | Wheaton | Open | – | DNR |
- Hunters Paradise WMA: From Wheaton, go 8 miles N on SH75 then 1 1/2 miles W on Twp Rd
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Hunters Paradise WMA access rules
The rows below restate the access rules on the agency record for Hunters Paradise 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 |
Sources: record, agency rules; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Hunters Paradise WMA and deer permit area 671
The 2026 designation for DPA 671 is 2-deer limit; firearms dates follow the 200-series window. DPA 671 allows 2 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 | |
| Firearms, 200 series | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 |
DNR lists DPA 671 in the CWD management zone. It is also in the 2026 surveillance block, with mandatory CWD sampling Nov. 7-8. A carcass disposal rule covers the area. The DPA covers 646 square miles. DPA 671 counties: Traverse, Big Stone and Wilkin.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Seasons open on Hunters Paradise WMA
Dated seasons that apply on Hunters Paradise WMA (43 rows), with today's status in the last column.
| Quarry | Season | Where | Opening | Closing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 671 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 671 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 671 | 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 |
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.
Hunters Paradise WMA on the map with nearby land
Big pins mark Hunters Paradise WMA; Bois De Sioux WMA is the nearest neighbor at 2.5 mi.
| Neighbor | Category | Acreage | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bois De Sioux WMA | WMA | 107 | 671 | 2.5 mi | southwest |
| Reservation Dam WMA | WMA | 564 | 671 | 12 mi | south |
| Hormann WPA | WPA | 176 | 671 | 18 mi | south |
| Stoneberg WPA | WPA | 24 | 272 | 19 mi | southeast |
| Copeland WMA | WMA | 200 | 270 | 19 mi | northeast |
| Mud Lake WPA | WPA | 656 | 270, 272 | 20 mi | east |
| Marple WMA | WMA | 212 | 270 | 20 mi | northeast |
| Meyer Prairie WPA | WPA | 139 | 270 | 20 mi | northeast |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
What Traverse County adds to a Hunters Paradise WMA trip
Hunters Paradise WMA is one of 19 public places we list in Traverse County. Feeding ban: Traverse County is inside it. Bear licenses in Traverse County are no-quota, sold over the counter. Turkey: permit area 506. Area wildlife office: Fergus Falls Area Wildlife Office ((218) 671-7969).
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 Hunters Paradise WMA
From Hunters Paradise WMA the nearest town is Wheaton (9.1 mi). On the DNR record, the reference town is Wheaton. DNR staff closest to Hunters Paradise WMA work out of Fergus Falls (33 mi).
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheaton | Traverse | 1,334 | 9.1 mi | south |
| Tintah | Traverse | 61 | 12 mi | northeast |
| Campbell | Wilkin | 164 | 13 mi | northeast |
| Nashua | Wilkin | 64 | 13 mi | northeast |
| Dumont | Traverse | 71 | 16 mi | south |
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.
Closest Minnesota ranges to Hunters Paradise Wildlife Management Area
Traverse County Sportsmens Club, 9 miles away, is the nearest range to Hunters Paradise Wildlife Management Area; check its access rule before going. 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.
Hunters Paradise WMA legal light on key dates
Legal light at Hunters Paradise 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 | 7:08 a.m. | 7:32 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. | 8:02 p.m. | 7:32 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 | 7:34 a.m. | 6:51 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. | 7:21 p.m. | 6:51 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:14 a.m. | 5:06 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. | 5:36 p.m. | 5:06 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:43 a.m. | 4:46 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. | 5:16 p.m. | 4:46 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:08 a.m. | 4:50 p.m. | 7:38 a.m. | 5:20 p.m. | 4:50 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:44 a.m. | 8:10 p.m. | 6:14 a.m. | 8:40 p.m. | 8:10 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 Hunters Paradise WMA
Hunters Paradise WMA questions answered from its record
How do hunters reach Hunters Paradise WMA?
From Wheaton, go 8 miles N on SH75 then 1 1/2 miles W on Twp Rd Lots mapped: 0.
Who holds title to Hunters Paradise WMA?
Land manager for Hunters Paradise WMA: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Fergus Falls office.
Does chronic wasting disease testing apply on Hunters Paradise WMA?
DPA 671 is in the CWD management zone and the 2026 surveillance block.
What are the legal shooting hours at Hunters Paradise WMA?
On the Nov. 7 firearms opener, legal deer hours at Hunters Paradise WMA run 6:44 a.m. to 5:36 p.m..
If Hunters Paradise WMA is full, where is the next public land?
Public ground nearest by straight line: Bois De Sioux WMA (2.5 mi), Reservation Dam WMA (12 mi) and Hormann WPA (18 mi).
Are tree stands allowed on Hunters Paradise WMA, and for how long?
No. Portable stands and blinds come off Hunters Paradise WMA every day (northwest Minnesota has an overnight exception Nov. 1-Dec. 31), and no equipment stays overnight.
Hunters Paradise WMA: is overnight camping allowed?
Not unless DNR designates a site or issues a permit; WMA rules bar other camping.
Is hunting legal on Hunters Paradise 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 Hunters Paradise WMA offer?
490 acres.
What DPA is Hunters Paradise WMA, and what is its designation?
DPA 671 (600 series, 2-deer limit). Firearms deer runs Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026 there.
What animals can be hunted at Hunters Paradise WMA?
Deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey and mourning dove, according to the agency page for Hunters Paradise WMA.
Last checks before driving to Hunters Paradise WMA
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted refuge areas on Hunters Paradise WMA.
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); James St. John (CC BY 2.0).