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WMA · Northwest region
Reservation Dam 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 Reservation Dam Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Reservation Dam Wildlife Management Area
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 0.8 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 Reservation Dam WMA
Reservation Dam WMA adds 564 acres of public ground to Traverse County. Line up the 5 wildlife management areas in Traverse County by acres and Reservation Dam WMA comes 1st. Its deer permit area is 671; the 2026 designation there is 2-deer limit.
DNR runs Reservation Dam WMA from its Fergus Falls area office; email fergusfalls.wildlife@state.mn.us.
In DNR's words: The unit is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This is a good place to view a wide variety of wetland birds, including fish-eating species. There is a colonial water bird nesting site. Western or Clark's grebes have been seen in the spring.
Species on the record: 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 Reservation Dam Wildlife Management Area
Reservation Dam WMA route text and lots
Use these DNR directions to find Reservation Dam WMA; the map pins its 0 parking points.
| Section | Acres | Town | Hunting | Lots | DNR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reservation Dam WMA | 564 | Wheaton | Open | – | DNR |
- Reservation Dam WMA: From Wheaton, go 5 miles SW on SH 27 then 1/2 mile W on SH 117.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Reservation Dam WMA access rules
The rows below restate the access rules on the agency record for Reservation Dam 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.
Reservation Dam 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 Reservation Dam WMA
Dated seasons that apply on Reservation Dam WMA (33 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 | |
| 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 |
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.
Reservation Dam WMA on the map with nearby land
Big pins mark Reservation Dam WMA; Hormann WPA is the nearest neighbor at 6.5 mi.
| Neighbor | Category | Acreage | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hormann WPA | WPA | 176 | 671 | 6.5 mi | south |
| Bois De Sioux WMA | WMA | 107 | 671 | 9.6 mi | north |
| Pedersen WPA | WPA | 158 | 671 | 9.6 mi | southwest |
| Paul WPA | WPA | 206 | 671 | 11 mi | south |
| Lawrence WPA | WPA | 486 | 671 | 11 mi | south |
| Robin Hood WPA | WPA | 1,711 | 671 | 11 mi | south |
| Morris WMD | Wetland district | 55,532 | 213, 218 | 11 mi | south |
| Mosquito Ranch WPA | WPA | 758 | 671 | 12 mi | southwest |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
What Traverse County adds to a Reservation Dam WMA trip
Reservation Dam 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 Reservation Dam WMA
From Reservation Dam WMA the nearest town is Wheaton (6.5 mi). On the DNR record, the reference town is Wheaton. DNR staff closest to Reservation Dam WMA work out of Fergus Falls (45 mi).
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheaton | Traverse | 1,334 | 6.5 mi | east |
| Dumont | Traverse | 71 | 10 mi | east |
| Barry | Big Stone | 14 | 15 mi | south |
| Beardsley | Big Stone | 206 | 15 mi | south |
| Browns Valley | Traverse | 505 | 16 mi | southwest |
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 Reservation Dam Wildlife Management Area
Traverse County Sportsmens Club, 6 miles away, is the nearest range to Reservation Dam 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.
Reservation Dam WMA legal light on key dates
Legal light at Reservation Dam 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. | 7:33 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. | 8:03 p.m. | 7:33 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:17 a.m. | 7:19 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. | 7:49 p.m. | 7:19 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:35 a.m. | 6:52 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. | 7:22 p.m. | 6:52 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:14 a.m. | 5:07 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. | 5:37 p.m. | 5:07 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 | 8:07 a.m. | 4:51 p.m. | 7:37 a.m. | 5:21 p.m. | 4:51 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 Reservation Dam WMA
Reservation Dam WMA questions answered from its record
Who holds title to Reservation Dam WMA?
Land manager for Reservation Dam WMA: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Fergus Falls office.
Does chronic wasting disease testing apply on Reservation Dam WMA?
DPA 671 is in the CWD management zone and the 2026 surveillance block.
What are the legal shooting hours at Reservation Dam WMA?
On the Nov. 7 firearms opener, legal deer hours at Reservation Dam WMA run 6:44 a.m. to 5:37 p.m..
If Reservation Dam WMA is full, where is the next public land?
Public ground nearest by straight line: Hormann WPA (6.5 mi), Bois De Sioux WMA (9.6 mi) and Pedersen WPA (9.6 mi).
Are tree stands allowed on Reservation Dam WMA, and for how long?
No. Portable stands and blinds come off Reservation Dam WMA every day (northwest Minnesota has an overnight exception Nov. 1-Dec. 31), and no equipment stays overnight.
Reservation Dam WMA: is overnight camping allowed?
Not unless DNR designates a site or issues a permit; WMA rules bar other camping.
Is hunting legal on Reservation Dam 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 Reservation Dam WMA offer?
564 acres.
What DPA is Reservation Dam 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 Reservation Dam WMA?
Deer, small game, pheasant and waterfowl, according to the agency page for Reservation Dam WMA.
How do hunters reach Reservation Dam WMA?
From Wheaton, go 5 miles SW on SH 27 then 1/2 mile W on SH 117. Lots mapped: 0.
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); Yellowstone National Park (Public domain).