Home › Minnesota › Public land › Meadow Creek WMA
Minnesota WMA
Meadow Creek Wildlife Management Area: seasons, rules and access
859 acres of wildlife management area ground in Lyon County, deer permit area 288.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Meadow Creek Wildlife Management Area
Meadow Creek WMA on paper: the record in brief
Meadow Creek WMA covers 859 acres in Lyon County. Among Lyon County’s 50 wildlife management areas, it sits 3rd for acres. The 2026 deer designation for DPA 288 is either-sex.
Management sits with the Marshall area wildlife staff, reachable at marshall.wildlife@state.mn.us. Federal aid on file for Meadow Creek WMA: Pittman-Robertson.
Hunted here: deer, small game, pheasant, mourning dove.
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Meadow Creek Wildlife Management Area
Getting into Meadow Creek WMA
Directions and parking for Meadow Creek WMA as the DNR detail pages give them (0 parking points mapped).
| Piece | Acres | Town | Status | Lots | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meadow Creek WMA | 859 | Marshall | Open | – | DNR |
- Meadow Creek WMA: From Marshall, go 5 miles S on US 59 then 2 miles E on 220th St.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Use rules to read before hunting Meadow Creek WMA
Meadow Creek WMA follows the rules below on top of the statewide booklet.
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| 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.
Meadow Creek WMA deer rules: DPA 288
DPA 288 is a 200-series area set to either-sex for 2026. A buck or a doe both count in DPA 288 this year.
| Deer season | Opening | Closing | Right 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 |
Surveillance block: bring adult deer taken Nov. 7-8 for sampling. At 630 square miles, DPA 288 is the unit deer rules follow. All of DPA 288 sits inside Lyon County.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Meadow Creek WMA dates, species by species
Season rows matched to Meadow Creek WMA by its game species list; trapping-only seasons are on the species pages.
| Species | Hunt | Zone | First day | Last day | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 288 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 288 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 288 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 |
Zone rows for ducks and furbearers depend on map lines, not on this unit; DNR draws them along highways.
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026. All Minnesota seasons.
Harvest trend near Meadow Creek WMA
In 2025 hunters registered 731 deer across DPA 288 (1.17 per square mile); the table runs back to 2017.
| Season | Adult males | Antlerless and fawns | DPA total | Deer per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 459 | 272 | 731 | 1.17 |
| 2024 | 459 | 175 | 634 | 1.02 |
| 2023 | 344 | 212 | 556 | 0.89 |
| 2022 | 383 | 243 | 626 | 1.00 |
| 2021 | 453 | 211 | 664 | 1.06 |
| 2020 | 446 | 264 | 710 | 1.14 |
| 2019 | 403 | 245 | 648 | 1.04 |
| 2018 | 369 | 288 | 657 | 1.05 |
| 2017 | 421 | 253 | 674 | 1.08 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Meadow Creek WMA and the public ground around it
Straight-line distances run from the Meadow Creek WMA map point; Rooster Flats WMA (1.7 mi, east) leads the list.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | DPA | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rooster Flats WMA | WMA | 126 | 288 | 1.7 mi | east |
| Amiret WMA | WMA | 937 | 288 | 2.3 mi | east |
| White Prairie WMA | WMA | 18 | 288 | 2.3 mi | northwest |
| Clifton WMA | WMA | 382 | 288 | 3.8 mi | north |
| Deutz WMA | WMA | 42 | 288 | 3.8 mi | southwest |
| Brakke WMA | WMA | 269 | 288 | 4.1 mi | east |
| Bue-tiful Acres WMA | WMA | 168 | 288 | 4.3 mi | west |
| SE Clifton WMA | WMA | 371 | 288 | 4.5 mi | east |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Lyon County around Meadow Creek WMA
In Lyon County there are 61 records like Meadow Creek WMA to choose from. For bear, Lyon County is no-quota. Turkey permit area 504 covers the county. Marshall Area Wildlife Office (Marshall) is the closest area wildlife office to the county centre. Watch for closed ground in Lyon County such as Glynn Prairie Scientific and Natural Area.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Gas, food and processors near Meadow Creek WMA
Closest town: Marshall, 5.9 mi in a straight line from Meadow Creek WMA. The unit page lists Marshall as nearest town. The nearest DNR office is Marshall Area Wildlife Office in Marshall, 6.6 mi away.
| Town | County | 2024 population | Away | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall | Lyon | 13,996 | 5.9 mi | northwest |
| Lynd | Lyon | 435 | 8.0 mi | west |
| Milroy | Redwood | 254 | 8.3 mi | east |
| Tracy | Lyon | 2,041 | 11 mi | southeast |
| Garvin | Lyon | 117 | 12 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.
Before Meadow Creek Wildlife Management Area: where to check a zero
Hunters on Meadow Creek Wildlife Management Area can sight in at Shooters Sporting Clays (10 miles), the nearest listing. Target shooting is not allowed on the property itself.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026; target shooting rule from the DNR WMA rules.
Legal hunting hours worked out for Meadow Creek WMA
Shooting starts 30 minutes before sunrise at Meadow Creek WMA; the two closing columns split big game from birds.
| Date | Season | Sunrise | Sunset | First shot | Last, big game | Last, birds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Archery and grouse opener | 7:05 a.m. | 7:28 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. | 7:58 p.m. | 7:28 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:13 a.m. | 7:15 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. | 7:45 p.m. | 7:15 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:30 a.m. | 6:49 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. | 7:19 p.m. | 6:49 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:07 a.m. | 5:06 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. | 5:36 p.m. | 5:06 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:35 a.m. | 4:47 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. | 5:17 p.m. | 4:47 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:59 a.m. | 4:52 p.m. | 7:29 a.m. | 5:22 p.m. | 4:52 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:42 a.m. | 8:04 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. | 8:34 p.m. | 8:04 p.m. |
Early teal runs sunrise to sunset.
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.
Pictures that suit a day on Meadow Creek WMA
Quick answers before you hunt Meadow Creek WMA
Is camping at Meadow Creek WMA allowed under WMA rules?
Camping is limited to designated areas or a DNR permit.
Can decoys or gear stay on Meadow Creek WMA overnight?
Stands are portable-only and leave with you; the one exception is the northwest overnight window from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31.
Meadow Creek WMA size: how much huntable ground?
Meadow Creek WMA covers 859 acres.
May the public hunt Meadow Creek WMA?
Yes. The DNR WMA rules allow hunting and trapping in season on Meadow Creek WMA.
What can you hunt on Meadow Creek WMA?
Expect deer, small game, pheasant and mourning dove on Meadow Creek WMA, per the record.
What are the 2026 deer rules on Meadow Creek WMA?
It is in deer permit area 288 (either-sex). Guns: Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Which office should I call about Meadow Creek WMA?
Meadow Creek WMA is managed by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, from its Marshall office.
What route leads to Meadow Creek WMA?
From Marshall, go 5 miles S on US 59 then 2 miles E on 220th St. Parking points on file: 0.
When is legal light on Meadow Creek WMA for the opener?
For the opener, 6:37 a.m. to 5:36 p.m.; birds stop at 5:06 p.m..
Do deer from Meadow Creek WMA need CWD testing?
Its DPA (288) is in the 2026 surveillance block (mandatory sampling Nov. 7-8).
Where can I hunt public land close to Meadow Creek WMA?
The nearest public units are Rooster Flats WMA (1.7 mi), Amiret WMA (2.3 mi) and White Prairie WMA (2.3 mi).
Meadow Creek WMA: what to double-check first
Seasons, closures and notices on Meadow Creek WMA can change mid-season; posted signs and the agency page have the final word.
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: Michel Curi (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).