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Ringo-Nest Wildlife Management Area hunting, season by season
820 acres of public land open to hunters in Kandiyohi County, with DPA 277 deer dates.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Ringo-Nest Wildlife Management Area
Ringo-Nest WMA in brief, from the agency file
820 acres of Kandiyohi County belong to Ringo-Nest WMA. Size rank in Kandiyohi County: 2nd of 30 wildlife management areas. For deer it falls in DPA 277, set at 3-deer limit for 2026.
Questions go to the New London DNR wildlife office at newlondon.wildlife@state.mn.us.
Game listed: deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl.
- 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 Ringo-Nest Wildlife Management Area
Subunits and parking at Ringo-Nest WMA
Each subunit of Ringo-Nest WMA has its own DNR page; the map below pins 3 parking spots.
| Subunit | Acreage | Near | Open? | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ringo-Nest WMA | 820 | Spicer | Open | 3 | DNR |
- Ringo-Nest WMA: Travel west on CR 10 from its junction with MN 23 in Spicer for a distance of 2.5 miles to C.R. #9 and then go north on 9 a distance of 1.5 miles to the unit which is on the west side of the roadway. Access via roads on north, east, and SW sides of the unit.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Ringo-Nest WMA pinned among nearby tracts
Allen WPA (Kandiyohi County) lies 1.7 mi east of Ringo-Nest WMA, the nearest of 8 public areas within 45 miles.
| Area | Type | Acres | DPA | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allen WPA | WPA | 198 | 277 | 1.7 mi | east |
| Ringo Lake AMA | AMA | 10 | 277 | 2.1 mi | south |
| Carlson Lake WPA | WPA | 286 | 277 | 2.5 mi | southeast |
| Florida Slough WPA | WPA | 600 | 277 | 3.9 mi | west |
| Sweep WPA | WPA | 86 | 277 | 4.2 mi | south |
| Dengerud WPA | WPA | 20 | 277 | 4.3 mi | west |
| Wig WMA | WMA | 13 | 277 | 4.3 mi | southwest |
| New London WPA | WPA | 389 | 277 | 4.6 mi | north |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Rules for hunting Ringo-Nest WMA
Site rules for Ringo-Nest 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 |
Sources: record, agency rules; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Ringo-Nest WMA season dates
This table covers Ringo-Nest 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 277 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Early antlerless | DPA 277 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 277 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 277 | 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 | |
| Woodcock | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Nov 2, 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 |
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 Ringo-Nest WMA
200-series DPA 277 carries the 3-deer limit designation this year. With bonus permits, a hunter can fill the 3-deer limit in DPA 277.
| 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 |
Adult deer shot Nov. 7-8 here must be sampled. Size of DPA 277: 1,147 square miles. Kandiyohi, Meeker, Pope, Swift and Stearns share DPA 277.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Deer harvest around Ringo-Nest WMA (DPA 277)
The whole of DPA 277 gave up 4,575 deer in 2025; the DNR publishes no figure for Ringo-Nest WMA itself.
| Year | Adult male | Rest | Harvest | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,281 | 2,294 | 4,575 | 4.32 |
| 2024 | 2,360 | 1,941 | 4,301 | 4.07 |
| 2023 | 1,905 | 2,108 | 4,013 | 3.79 |
| 2022 | 2,085 | 2,690 | 4,775 | 4.51 |
| 2021 | 2,325 | 2,759 | 5,084 | 4.81 |
| 2020 | 2,051 | 2,129 | 4,180 | 5.15 |
| 2019 | 1,873 | 1,220 | 3,093 | 3.81 |
| 2018 | 1,668 | 1,317 | 2,985 | 3.68 |
| 2017 | 1,630 | 1,356 | 2,986 | 3.68 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Ringo-Nest WMA nearby towns
Spicer is the closest town to Ringo-Nest WMA, about 3.1 mi away. The largest nearby is Willmar (21,892 people). The DNR detail page starts its directions from Spicer. For questions, the New London DNR office is 4.8 mi from Ringo-Nest WMA.
| Town | County | Pop. 2024 | Miles off | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spicer | Kandiyohi | 1,099 | 3.1 mi | southeast |
| New London | Kandiyohi | 1,316 | 3.8 mi | northeast |
| Kandiyohi | Kandiyohi | 565 | 9.0 mi | south |
| Willmar | Kandiyohi | 21,892 | 9.6 mi | south |
| Pennock | Kandiyohi | 480 | 11 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.
Ringo-Nest WMA: Kandiyohi County facts
Counting Ringo-Nest WMA, Kandiyohi County has 99 listed public areas. Check the Kandiyohi County shotgun ordinance (shotgun-only ordinance) before bringing a rifle. The no-quota bear area covers Kandiyohi County. Kandiyohi County turkey hunters declare area 507 and 506. County questions go to New London Area Wildlife Office, New London. 1 place in Kandiyohi County is closed to hunting, such as Florida Lake Aquatic Management Area.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Range time on the drive to Ringo-Nest Wildlife Management Area
Three ranges near Ringo-Nest Wildlife Management Area follow, starting with Willmar Rifle & Pistol Club at 5 miles. 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.
A look at the landscape around Ringo-Nest WMA
Ringo-Nest WMA shooting hours on key dates
Times are worked out for the Ringo-Nest 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 | 7:02 a.m. | 7:26 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. | 7:56 p.m. | 7:26 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:10 a.m. | 7:12 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. | 7:42 p.m. | 7:12 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:28 a.m. | 6:46 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. | 7:16 p.m. | 6:46 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:06 a.m. | 5:01 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. | 5:31 p.m. | 5:01 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:35 a.m. | 4:42 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. | 5:12 p.m. | 4:42 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:59 a.m. | 4:46 p.m. | 7:29 a.m. | 5:16 p.m. | 4:46 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:38 a.m. | 8:03 p.m. | 6:08 a.m. | 8:33 p.m. | 8:03 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 Ringo-Nest WMA
Roughly how large is the Ringo-Nest WMA unit?
The mapped size is 820 acres.
Can you hunt on Ringo-Nest WMA this season?
Yes. Hunting and trapping are open on state WMAs during regular seasons unless DNR posts an exception, and Ringo-Nest WMA shows open hunting status.
Which species does Ringo-Nest WMA hold?
Game on the agency list for Ringo-Nest WMA: deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant and waterfowl.
Which deer permit area holds Ringo-Nest WMA?
Ringo-Nest WMA falls in DPA 277, 3-deer limit. Expect the firearms season from Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Who do I call about Ringo-Nest WMA?
Ringo-Nest WMA falls under Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (New London office).
Where is the access for Ringo-Nest WMA?
Travel west on CR 10 from its junction with MN 23 in Spicer for a distance of 2.5 miles to C.R. #9 and then go north on 9 a distance of 1.5 miles to the unit which is on the west side of the roadway. The map above shows 3 parking pins.
How early does shooting start at Ringo-Nest WMA on the opener?
Opening day of the firearms season: shooting from 6:36 a.m., done by 5:31 p.m..
Is CWD sampling required at Ringo-Nest WMA?
DNR lists DPA 277 as in the 2026 surveillance block (mandatory sampling Nov. 7-8).
Can I leave a stand on Ringo-Nest WMA overnight?
Daily removal applies on Ringo-Nest WMA, so plan on a climber or a hang-on you carry out.
Which public ground lies closest to Ringo-Nest WMA?
Next-closest public land: Allen WPA (Kandiyohi County) (1.7 mi), Ringo Lake AMA (2.1 mi) and Carlson Lake WPA (2.5 mi).
Can I camp on Ringo-Nest WMA during the season?
Generally no: designated areas or a permit only.
Ringo-Nest 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: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); NPS Photo (Public domain); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).