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Rice Area Sportsmens Club Wildlife Management Area: seasons, rules and access
580 acres of wildlife management area ground in Morrison County, deer permit area 221.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Rice Area Sportsmens Club Wildlife Management Area
Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA on paper: the record in brief
Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA covers 580 acres in Morrison County. Among Morrison County’s 18 wildlife management areas, it sits 7th for acres. The 2026 deer designation for DPA 221 is 3-deer limit.
Management sits with the Little Falls area wildlife staff, reachable at littlefalls.wildlife@state.mn.us.
Hunted here: deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey, mourning dove.
- White-tailed Deer
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ruffed Grouse
- American Woodcock
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- Ducks
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Rice Area Sportsmens Club Wildlife Management Area
Getting into Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA
Directions and parking for Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA as the DNR detail pages give them (4 parking points mapped).
| Piece | Acres | Town | Status | Lots | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA | 580 | Buckman | Open | 4 | DNR |
- Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA: From Buckman, go 1 mile south on highway 25, then 2.5 miles west on township road.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Use rules to read before hunting Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA
Rice Area Sportsmens Club 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 |
- Motorized vehicles are prohibited on the WMA except on designated routes and parking lots. Off-highway vehicles (OHVs), all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and snowmobiles are prohibited anywhere on the WMA, including on designated parking lots and access roads.
Sources: record, agency rules; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA deer rules: DPA 221
DPA 221 is a 200-series area set to 3-deer limit for 2026. The 3-deer limit in DPA 221 is reached with bonus permits on top of the regular license.
| Deer season | Opening | Closing | Right now |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
DPA 221 has optional CWD testing. At 650 square miles, DPA 221 is the unit deer rules follow. DPA 221 overlaps Morrison and Benton.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA dates, species by species
Season rows matched to Rice Area Sportsmens Club 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 221 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Early antlerless | DPA 221 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 221 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 221 | 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 | |
| Woodcock | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Nov 2, 2026 | |
| 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 |
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 Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA
In 2025 hunters registered 4,908 deer across DPA 221 (7.65 per square mile); the table runs back to 2017.
| Season | Adult males | Antlerless and fawns | DPA total | Deer per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,283 | 2,625 | 4,908 | 7.65 |
| 2024 | 2,171 | 2,267 | 4,438 | 6.91 |
| 2023 | 1,774 | 2,276 | 4,050 | 6.31 |
| 2022 | 1,778 | 2,508 | 4,286 | 6.68 |
| 2021 | 2,037 | 2,546 | 4,583 | 7.14 |
| 2020 | 2,066 | 2,560 | 4,626 | 7.21 |
| 2019 | 1,821 | 2,182 | 4,003 | 6.24 |
| 2018 | 1,571 | 1,771 | 3,342 | 5.21 |
| 2017 | 1,524 | 1,350 | 2,874 | 4.48 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA and the public ground around it
Straight-line distances run from the Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA map point; Coon Lake Marsh WMA (2.5 mi, east) leads the list.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | DPA | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coon Lake Marsh WMA | WMA | 54 | 221 | 2.5 mi | east |
| Crane Meadows WMA | WMA | 189 | 221 | 3.0 mi | northwest |
| Rice-Skunk WMA | WMA | 664 | 221 | 4.3 mi | northwest |
| Crane Meadows NWR | Wildlife refuge | 2,165 | 221 | 6.2 mi | northwest |
| Benton WMA | WMA | 81 | 221 | 6.2 mi | southeast |
| Pierz Fish Lake AMA | AMA | 57 | 221 | 6.5 mi | north |
| Sartell WMA | WMA | 368 | 221 | 6.5 mi | south |
| Graham WMA | WMA | 401 | 221 | 7.5 mi | southeast |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Morrison County around Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA
In Morrison County there are 27 records like Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA to choose from. Bear: quota area 45 reaches the county, 45 (700 permits) for 2026. Turkey permit area 508 and 507 covers the county. Little Falls Area Wildlife Office (Little Falls) is the closest area wildlife office to the county centre. Watch for closed ground in Morrison County such as Little Rock Creek Aquatic Management 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 Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA
Closest town: Buckman, 3.2 mi in a straight line from Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA. Most services: Rice, population 2,207. The unit page lists Buckman as nearest town. The nearest DNR office is Little Falls Area Wildlife Office in Little Falls, 13 mi away.
| Town | County | 2024 population | Away | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buckman | Morrison | 309 | 3.2 mi | northeast |
| Genola | Morrison | 70 | 6.5 mi | north |
| Royalton | Morrison | 1,280 | 7.5 mi | southwest |
| Pierz | Morrison | 1,461 | 7.5 mi | north |
| Rice | Benton | 2,207 | 9.2 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.
Before Rice Area Sportsmens Club Wildlife Management Area: where to check a zero
Hunters on Rice Area Sportsmens Club Wildlife Management Area can sight in at Eastern Morrison County Sportsmans Club (7 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 Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA
Shooting starts 30 minutes before sunrise at Rice Area Sportsmens Club 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 | 6:58 a.m. | 7:23 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. | 7:53 p.m. | 7:23 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:07 a.m. | 7:09 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. | 7:39 p.m. | 7:09 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:25 a.m. | 6:42 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. | 7:12 p.m. | 6:42 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:04 a.m. | 4:57 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. | 5:27 p.m. | 4:57 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:33 a.m. | 4:36 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. | 5:06 p.m. | 4:36 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:58 a.m. | 4:40 p.m. | 7:28 a.m. | 5:10 p.m. | 4:40 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:34 a.m. | 8:00 p.m. | 6:04 a.m. | 8:30 p.m. | 8:00 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 Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA
Quick answers before you hunt Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA
Can decoys or gear stay on Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA overnight?
Stands are portable-only and leave with you; the one exception is the northwest overnight window from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31.
Where can I hunt public land close to Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA?
The nearest public units are Coon Lake Marsh WMA (2.5 mi), Crane Meadows WMA (3.0 mi) and Rice-Skunk WMA (4.3 mi).
May the public hunt Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA?
Yes. The DNR WMA rules allow hunting and trapping in season on Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA.
Is camping at Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA allowed under WMA rules?
Camping is limited to designated areas or a DNR permit.
What are the 2026 deer rules on Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA?
It is in deer permit area 221 (3-deer limit). Guns: Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA size: how much huntable ground?
Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA covers 580 acres.
What route leads to Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA?
From Buckman, go 1 mile south on highway 25, then 2.5 miles west on township road. Parking points on file: 4.
What can you hunt on Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA?
Expect deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey and mourning dove on Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA, per the record.
Do deer from Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA need CWD testing?
Its DPA (221) is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
Which office should I call about Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA?
Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA is managed by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, from its Little Falls office.
When is legal light on Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA for the opener?
For the opener, 6:34 a.m. to 5:27 p.m.; birds stop at 4:57 p.m..
Rice Area Sportsmens Club WMA: what to double-check first
Seasons, closures and notices on Rice Area Sportsmens Club 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: Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); Cindy Sue Causey (CC BY 2.0).