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WMA in Becker County
Hunting Ogema Springs Wildlife Management Area, Minnesota public land
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this wildlife management area in Becker County, 680 acres.
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Getting to Ogema Springs Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Ogema Springs Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.7 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.
Ogema Springs WMA at a glance for hunters
You get 680 acres at Ogema Springs WMA, which lies in Becker County. By size it ranks 3rd of the 23 wildlife management areas we list in Becker County. DPA 297 sets the deer limit here: antlerless permit lottery this year.
The managing office is Detroit Lakes (DNR Wildlife), detroitlakes.wildlife@state.mn.us. DNR lists Pittman-Robertson as the federal aid source for Ogema Springs WMA.
What the DNR page says about it: Management goal is to enhance waterfowl production and migration habitat by manipulating water levels, shearing lowland brush, and conducting prescribed burns. The wetland complex continues southwards into a USFWS Waterfowl Production Area. This 504 acre WMA was assembled from acquisitions beginning in 1956 and finally completed in 1971. A land exchange in 1982 changed the boundaries slightly. The WMA lies on both sides of Highway 59.
Listed game: deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl.
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Ogema Springs Wildlife Management Area
What is allowed on Ogema Springs WMA
Short version of the rules that apply on Ogema Springs WMA, taken from the managing agency.
| What | Rule here |
|---|---|
| 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.
Deer on Ogema Springs WMA in 2026-27
Deer on Ogema Springs WMA fall under DPA 297: antlerless permit lottery, 200 series, 25 lottery permits. Firearm hunters who want a doe in DPA 297 must win the antlerless lottery (apply by Sept. 10).
| Deer window | From | To | Open 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 |
CWD testing in DPA 297: optional. DPA 297 spans 450 square miles. DPA 297 reaches Mahnomen and Becker counties.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Ogema Springs WMA hunting calendar 2026-27
Ogema Springs WMA season dates for 2026-27, picked by its game species list and its deer permit area.
| Species | Season | Applies | Opens | Closes | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 297 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 297 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 297 | 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 | |
| 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 |
Furbearer rows list both zones: the line follows I-94 and US 10, so check which side of it you hunt.
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026. All Minnesota seasons.
Ogema Springs WMA: access points
1 parking point and the route text DNR posts for Ogema Springs WMA.
| Subunit | Acres | Nearest town | Hunting | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ogema Springs WMA | 680 | Ogema | Open | 1 | DNR |
- Ogema Springs WMA: From Ogema, go 3 miles south on State Highway 59
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Public land within a drive of Ogema Springs WMA
When Ogema Springs WMA is crowded, Pederson WPA (Becker County) sits 1.5 mi away to the northeast.
| Place | Type | Acres | DPA | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pederson WPA | WPA | 253 | 297 | 1.5 mi | northeast |
| Haverkamp WPA | WPA | 258 | 297 | 1.7 mi | southeast |
| Teiken-dalve WMA | WMA | 73 | 297 | 2.5 mi | east |
| Schouviller WPA | WPA | 196 | 297 | 2.5 mi | southeast |
| Spring Creek WPA | WPA | 71 | 297 | 3.1 mi | northwest |
| White Earth WPA | WPA | 40 | 297 | 3.4 mi | east |
| Donley/Tillman WPA | WPA | 642 | 297 | 3.5 mi | southwest |
| Lindsey Lake WPA | WPA | 141 | 297 | 3.7 mi | west |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Ogema Springs WMA nearest towns and help
Fuel and food: Ogema lies 2.1 mi from Ogema Springs WMA. For more services, Audubon (569) is 15 mi out. DNR's nearest town for this unit: Ogema. Nearest DNR desk: Detroit Lakes Area Wildlife Office, 20 mi.
| Town | County | People (2024) | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ogema | Becker | 205 | 2.1 mi | north |
| White Earth | Becker | – | 3.7 mi | northeast |
| Callaway | Becker | 180 | 6.3 mi | south |
| Waubun | Mahnomen | 399 | 7.8 mi | north |
| Audubon | Becker | 569 | 15 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.
Ogema Springs WMA: deer taken in DPA 297
224 deer were registered in DPA 297 during 2025, 0.51 per square mile of the unit.
| Year | Adult bucks | Other deer | DPA harvest | Per square mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 195 | 29 | 224 | 0.51 |
| 2024 | 169 | 35 | 204 | 0.47 |
| 2023 | 118 | 27 | 145 | 0.33 |
| 2022 | 140 | 51 | 191 | 0.44 |
| 2021 | 189 | 32 | 221 | 0.50 |
| 2020 | 154 | 111 | 265 | 0.60 |
| 2019 | 176 | 93 | 269 | 0.61 |
| 2018 | 190 | 127 | 317 | 0.72 |
| 2017 | 202 | 60 | 262 | 0.60 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Ogema Springs WMA and the rest of Becker County
Becker County has 124 public hunting areas on file, Ogema Springs WMA among them. Becker County is under the deer feeding and attractant ban. Becker County bear hunting runs through quota area 46 and 45, 46 (950 permits) and 45 (700 permits). The county sits in turkey permit area 507 and 509. Nearest DNR area wildlife office to the county centre: Detroit Lakes Area Wildlife Office, (218) 846-8470. Not every public place in Becker County is open: Bad Medicine Lake – Restricted Use Aquatic Management Area is closed to hunting.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
When shooting starts and stops at Ogema Springs WMA
Sun times computed for Ogema Springs WMA itself, since the 2026 booklet prints no tables.
| Date | Why | Sunrise | Sunset | Legal from | Big game to | Waterfowl to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Archery and grouse opener | 7:05 a.m. | 7:30 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. | 8:00 p.m. | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:14 a.m. | 7:16 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. | 7:46 p.m. | 7:16 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:33 a.m. | 6:48 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. | 7:18 p.m. | 6:48 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:14 a.m. | 5:01 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. | 5:31 p.m. | 5:01 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:45 a.m. | 4:39 p.m. | 7:15 a.m. | 5:09 p.m. | 4:39 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:10 a.m. | 4:43 p.m. | 7:40 a.m. | 5:13 p.m. | 4:43 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:39 a.m. | 8:09 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. | 8:39 p.m. | 8:09 p.m. |
Pheasant hours start at 9 a.m.
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.
Ogema Springs Wildlife Management Area: hunts and banquets nearby
Firearms safety hybrid class: 1 upcoming event, on site or a few miles away.
Booked dates
| Held on | Event | Miles off | Where held | Link | Checked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 30–31, 2026 | Firearms Safety Hybrid Class, a firearms safety hybrid class | 8 | Waubun | Register | Source |
Ranges a Ogema Springs Wildlife Management Area hunter can reach
From Ogema Springs Wildlife Management Area, the nearest listed range is Andersons Royal Flush Pheasant at 10 miles; public ranges on file are over 60 miles away. Plinking on the property is not allowed.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026; target shooting rule from the DNR WMA rules.
Ogema Springs WMA region in a few frames
Hunter questions about Ogema Springs WMA, short answers
Does Ogema Springs WMA allow public hunting?
It is open: DNR lists every subunit of Ogema Springs WMA with an open or partial hunting status.
Can hunters set up a tent camp on Ogema Springs WMA?
Only at designated sites or by permit.
What deer permit area is Ogema Springs WMA in?
The record puts it in DPA 297: antlerless permit lottery. Its firearms season: Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Ogema Springs WMA acreage: how much ground is it?
It runs to 680 acres.
How do you get to Ogema Springs WMA?
From Ogema, go 3 miles south on State Highway 59 1 parking spot on the DNR map.
What game species does Ogema Springs WMA list?
The agency names deer, small game, pheasant and waterfowl for Ogema Springs WMA.
Ogema Springs WMA and CWD: what applies?
For CWD, DPA 297 is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
Ogema Springs WMA: who is the land manager?
Questions about Ogema Springs WMA go to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at its Detroit Lakes office.
Ogema Springs WMA neighbors: what public land is nearby?
Short-drive options from the map: Pederson WPA (Becker County) (1.5 mi), Haverkamp WPA (1.7 mi) and Teiken-dalve WMA (2.5 mi).
On the deer opener, when can you shoot at Ogema Springs WMA?
Deer shooting on Nov. 7 opens at 6:44 a.m. and ends at 5:31 p.m. at the Ogema Springs WMA point.
Can blinds stay up overnight at Ogema Springs WMA?
Only for the day: WMA rules make you remove portable stands and blinds daily, outside the northwest Nov. 1-Dec. 31 exception.
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0); Mike's Birds (CC BY-SA 2.0).