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Keystone Woods Wildlife Management Area hunting, season by season
1,840 acres of public land open to hunters in Washington County, with DPA 236 deer dates.
Photo: fastfonz (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Keystone Woods Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Keystone Woods Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 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.
Keystone Woods WMA in brief, from the agency file
1,840 acres of Washington County belong to Keystone Woods WMA. Size rank in Washington County: 1st of 6 wildlife management areas. For deer it falls in DPA 236, set at 3-deer limit for 2026.
Questions go to the North Metro DNR wildlife office at forestlake.wildlife@state.mn.us.
DNR notes on the habitat: Please be mindful of property boundary signs and respectful of adjacent landowners. Do not park on the shoulders of the County Roads. Use the designated parking areas.
Game listed: deer, black bear, small game, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey.
- White-tailed Deer
- Black Bear
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- Ducks
- Canada Goose
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Keystone Woods Wildlife Management Area
Subunits and parking at Keystone Woods WMA
Each subunit of Keystone Woods WMA has its own DNR page; the map below pins 0 parking spots.
| Subunit | Acreage | Near | Open? | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keystone Woods WMA | 1,840 | Marine on St. Croix | Open | – | DNR |
- Keystone Woods WMA: 5 miles west of Marine on St. Croix on 170th Street North. Then south along Manning Trail North. There are 5 parking lots around the unit; 2 ADA accessible and 3 standard parking lots.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Keystone Woods WMA pinned among nearby tracts
Paul Hugo Farms WMA lies 3.7 mi west of Keystone Woods WMA, the nearest of 8 public areas within 45 miles.
| Area | Type | Acres | DPA | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Hugo Farms WMA | WMA | 357 | 236 | 3.7 mi | west |
| Hardwood Creek WMA | WMA | 583 | 236 | 4.2 mi | northwest |
| William O'Brien State Park | State park | 1,909 | 236 | 6.3 mi | northeast |
| Rutstrum WMA | WMA | 24 | 236 | 8.4 mi | northeast |
| Lamprey Pass WMA | WMA | 1,277 | 236 | 9.2 mi | northwest |
| Bayport WMA | WMA | 452 | 601 | 12 mi | south |
| Carlos Avery WMA | WMA | 24,598 | 235 | 13 mi | northwest |
| Franconia Bluffs SNA | SNA | 87 | 236 | 16 mi | northeast |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Rules for hunting Keystone Woods WMA
Site rules for Keystone Woods 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 |
- Only nontoxic ammunition can be possessed on their person and used to take, or attempt to take, wild animals on Keystone Woods WMA. In addition: Hunters must submit to firearm inspection when requested in the field. Individuals with a valid permit to carry may possess a handgun and ammunition which is not nontoxic but may not use that ammunition to take wild game. Firearm discharge is not allowed in seven areas of the WMA near residences. Please refer to the Visitor map for No firearms discharge areas.
Sources: record, agency rules; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Keystone Woods WMA season dates
This table covers Keystone Woods 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 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 | |
| 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 Keystone Woods WMA
200-series DPA 236 carries the 3-deer limit designation this year. With bonus permits, a hunter can fill the 3-deer limit in DPA 236.
| 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 |
Optional CWD testing only in DPA 236. Size of DPA 236: 401 square miles. Chisago, Washington and Anoka share DPA 236.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Deer harvest around Keystone Woods WMA (DPA 236)
The whole of DPA 236 gave up 2,388 deer in 2025; the DNR publishes no figure for Keystone Woods WMA itself.
| Year | Adult male | Rest | Harvest | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Keystone Woods WMA nearby towns
Hugo is the closest town to Keystone Woods WMA, about 3.7 mi away. The largest nearby is Forest Lake (20,700 people). The DNR detail page starts its directions from Marine on St. Croix. For questions, the Forest Lake DNR office is 14 mi from Keystone Woods WMA.
| Town | County | Pop. 2024 | Miles off | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hugo | Washington | 16,765 | 3.7 mi | west |
| Marine on St. Croix | Washington | 658 | 5.3 mi | east |
| Scandia | Washington | 3,951 | 5.7 mi | northeast |
| Forest Lake | Washington | 20,700 | 6.4 mi | northwest |
| Grant | Washington | 3,942 | 6.7 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.
Keystone Woods WMA: Washington County facts
Counting Keystone Woods WMA, Washington County has 8 listed public areas. Washington County is one of the feeding ban counties. The no-quota bear area covers Washington County. Washington County turkey hunters declare area 510. County questions go to North Metro Area Wildlife Office, Forest Lake. 8 places in Washington County are closed to hunting, such as Brown's Creek Aquatic Management Area.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Keystone Woods Wildlife Management Area hunters: public range and clubs
From Keystone Woods Wildlife Management Area, 14 miles separates hunters from Marsden Archery Range, the closest public range. Club lanes inside 30 miles are on the next cards. 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.
Keystone Woods Wildlife Management Area and nearby events
On the ground itself or close by: 2 upcoming events, covering DU gun or purse bingo.
Next on the calendar
| When | Listing | Distance | Venue | Tickets or seats | Read at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 21, 2026 | Forest Lake Trap Team Boomstick Bingo!, a DU gun or purse bingo | 6 | American Legion Post 225 (Forest Lake) | Buy tickets | Source |
| Dec 5, 2026 | Ducks Unlimited and Hugo Legion Bingo!, a DU gun or purse bingo | 4 | American Legion Post 620 (Hugo) | Buy tickets | Source |
A look at the landscape around Keystone Woods WMA
Keystone Woods WMA shooting hours on key dates
Times are worked out for the Keystone Woods 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 | 6:53 a.m. | 7:17 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. | 7:47 p.m. | 7:17 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. | 6:37 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. | 7:07 p.m. | 6:37 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. | 4:33 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. | 5:03 p.m. | 4:33 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:50 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 7:20 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. |
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 Keystone Woods WMA
Can I leave a stand on Keystone Woods WMA overnight?
Daily removal applies on Keystone Woods WMA, so plan on a climber or a hang-on you carry out.
Which public ground lies closest to Keystone Woods WMA?
Next-closest public land: Paul Hugo Farms WMA (3.7 mi), Hardwood Creek WMA (4.2 mi) and William O'Brien State Park (6.3 mi).
Can you hunt on Keystone Woods WMA this season?
Yes. Hunting and trapping are open on state WMAs during regular seasons unless DNR posts an exception, and Keystone Woods WMA shows open hunting status.
Can I camp on Keystone Woods WMA during the season?
Generally no: designated areas or a permit only.
Which deer permit area holds Keystone Woods WMA?
Keystone Woods WMA falls in DPA 236, 3-deer limit. Expect the firearms season from Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Roughly how large is the Keystone Woods WMA unit?
The mapped size is 1,840 acres.
Where is the access for Keystone Woods WMA?
5 miles west of Marine on St. Croix on 170th Street North. Then south along Manning Trail North. There are 5 parking lots around the unit; 2 ADA accessible and 3 standard parking lots. Park on the road shoulder only where legal.
Which species does Keystone Woods WMA hold?
Game on the agency list for Keystone Woods WMA: deer, black bear, small game, pheasant, waterfowl and wild turkey.
Is CWD sampling required at Keystone Woods WMA?
DNR lists DPA 236 as outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
Who do I call about Keystone Woods WMA?
Keystone Woods WMA falls under Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (North Metro office).
How early does shooting start at Keystone Woods WMA on the opener?
Opening day of the firearms season: shooting from 6:28 a.m., done by 5:23 p.m..
Keystone Woods 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: Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0); fishhawk (CC BY 2.0); James St. John (CC BY 2.0).