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WMA · Central region
Ruff-Nik Wildlife Management Area hunting, 2026-27
Seasons, access rules and the nearest towns for this wildlife management area in Todd County and 1 neighbor.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Ruff-Nik Wildlife Management Area
What the file says about Ruff-Nik WMA
Ruff-Nik WMA adds 1,059 acres of public ground to Todd and Morrison counties. Line up the 30 wildlife management areas in Todd County by acres and Ruff-Nik WMA comes 3rd. It is made of 2 subunits, South Unit (740 ac) and Robinson Refuge Unit (319 ac).
Its deer permit area is 214; the 2026 designation there is 3-deer limit. DNR runs Ruff-Nik WMA from its Little Falls area office; email littlefalls.wildlife@state.mn.us. Federal aid noted by DNR for Ruff-Nik WMA: NAWCA MN Marshes 1.
In DNR's words: Wildlife sanctuary subunit(s) (DNR flag): Ruff-Nik WMA: Robinson Refuge Unit; check posted sanctuary/no-trespass periods.
Species on the record: deer, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, waterfowl, wild turkey.
- White-tailed Deer
- Black Bear
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ruffed Grouse
- American Woodcock
- Ducks
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Ruff-Nik Wildlife Management Area
Ruff-Nik WMA route text and lots
Use these DNR directions to find Ruff-Nik WMA; the map pins its 3 parking points.
- South Unit: From Cushing, go 3.5 miles west on Morrison County CSAH 16. The Robinson Refuge Unit is on the north side of the road and the South Unit is on the south side of the road.
- Robinson Refuge Unit: From Cushing, go 3.5 miles west on Morrison County CSAH 16. The Robinson Refuge Unit is on the north side of the road and the South Unit is on the south side of the road.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Ruff-Nik WMA access rules
The rows below restate the access rules on the agency record for Ruff-Nik 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 |
- 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. During September of 2016, a no firearms discharge zone, approximately 14 acres in size, was established on the NE corner of the main subunit south of Cty Rd 16 south and west of the interior property corner. This was done to comply with M.S. 97B.001 after receiving a request by the adjoining landowner to provide relief from disturbance by firearms on livestock. In addition, the 120 acres in section 36 on the south end of the WMA is trust fund land, and is managed as part of the WMA, including applicable rules.
- The part of the unit designated as the Shirley J. Robinson Memorial State Duck Refuge (all of the WMA lying north of CR16) carries wildlife sanctuary status (no trespass) each year from September 1st through the end of duck season or through November 20th, whichever is latest. This duck refuge is clearly posted with orange refuge and custom yellow boundary signs describing when access is prohibited. In addition, throughout the year, motorized vehicles are prohibited except on designated parking lots. OHVs, ATVs, and snowmobiles are prohibited anywhere on the WMA.
Sources: record, agency rules; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Ruff-Nik WMA and deer permit area 214
The 2026 designation for DPA 214 is 3-deer limit; firearms dates follow the 200-series window. DPA 214 allows 3 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 | |
| Early antlerless | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Firearms, 200 series | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 |
It is also in the 2026 surveillance block, with mandatory CWD sampling Nov. 7-8. The DPA covers 561 square miles. DPA 214 counties: Todd, Morrison and Wadena.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Seasons open on Ruff-Nik WMA
Dated seasons that apply on Ruff-Nik WMA (45 rows), with today's status in the last column.
| Quarry | Season | Where | Opening | Closing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 214 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Early antlerless | DPA 214 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 214 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 214 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | No-quota area | No Quota Area | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Quota areas | Quota area 45 | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 18, 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 | |
| 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 |
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.
DPA 214 harvest, the area around Ruff-Nik WMA
Harvest numbers below are DPA 214 totals (4,781 in 2025), the closest DNR figure for Ruff-Nik WMA.
| Season | Bucks (adult) | Others | Registered | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,236 | 2,545 | 4,781 | 8.63 |
| 2024 | 2,109 | 2,271 | 4,380 | 7.90 |
| 2023 | 1,685 | 2,378 | 4,063 | 7.33 |
| 2022 | 1,759 | 2,374 | 4,133 | 7.46 |
| 2021 | 2,103 | 2,909 | 5,012 | 9.05 |
| 2020 | 2,238 | 3,242 | 5,480 | 9.89 |
| 2019 | 2,061 | 2,528 | 4,589 | 8.28 |
| 2018 | 1,863 | 2,593 | 4,456 | 8.04 |
| 2017 | 1,893 | 2,794 | 4,687 | 8.46 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Ruff-Nik WMA on the map with nearby land
Big pins mark Ruff-Nik WMA and its parking; Lake Alexander Woods SNA is the nearest neighbor at 4.5 mi.
| Neighbor | Category | Acreage | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Alexander Woods SNA | SNA | 1,988 | 248 | 4.5 mi | northeast |
| Kobliska WMA | WMA | 411 | 214 | 5.0 mi | northwest |
| Turtle Creek WMA | WMA | 320 | 214 | 5.7 mi | west |
| Little Elk WMA | WMA | 1,476 | 214 | 5.8 mi | south |
| Long Prairie River WMA | WMA | 965 | 214 | 7.4 mi | west |
| Hartford WMA | WMA | 162 | 214 | 7.6 mi | southwest |
| Shamineau Lake AMA | AMA | 46 | 248 | 8.3 mi | northeast |
| Sheets Lake WMA | WMA | 132 | 214 | 9.2 mi | west |
Points: DNR WMA boundary layer (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
What Todd County adds to a Ruff-Nik WMA trip
Ruff-Nik WMA is one of 40 public places we list in Todd County. Quota bear area 45 overlaps the county (45 (700 permits)). Turkey: permit area 507. Area wildlife office: Little Falls Area Wildlife Office ((320) 232-1063). Do not mistake Ruff-Nik WMA for closed Todd County ground such as Jensen Aquatic Management Area and Little Swan Lake Aquatic Management Area.
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 Ruff-Nik WMA
From Ruff-Nik WMA the nearest town is Randall (8.0 mi). Browerville, with 829 residents, is the biggest town on the list. On the DNR record, the reference town is Cushing. DNR staff closest to Ruff-Nik WMA work out of Little Falls (17 mi).
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Randall | Morrison | 614 | 8.0 mi | east |
| Browerville | Todd | 829 | 11 mi | west |
| Clarissa | Todd | 661 | 14 mi | west |
| Motley | Morrison | 686 | 14 mi | north |
| Flensburg | Morrison | 210 | 14 mi | southeast |
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 Ruff-Nik Wildlife Management Area
Rooster Ridge Hunting Club, 11 miles away, is the nearest range to Ruff-Nik 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.
Ruff-Nik WMA legal light on key dates
Legal light at Ruff-Nik 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 | 7:00 a.m. | 7:25 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. | 7:55 p.m. | 7:25 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:09 a.m. | 7:11 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. | 7:41 p.m. | 7:11 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:27 a.m. | 6:44 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. | 7:14 p.m. | 6:44 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:07 a.m. | 4:58 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. | 5:28 p.m. | 4:58 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:36 a.m. | 4:37 p.m. | 7:06 a.m. | 5:07 p.m. | 4:37 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:01 a.m. | 4:41 p.m. | 7:31 a.m. | 5:11 p.m. | 4:41 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:36 a.m. | 8:03 p.m. | 6:06 a.m. | 8:33 p.m. | 8:03 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 Ruff-Nik WMA
Ruff-Nik WMA questions answered from its record
Who holds title to Ruff-Nik WMA?
Land manager for Ruff-Nik WMA: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Little Falls office.
Does chronic wasting disease testing apply on Ruff-Nik WMA?
DPA 214 is in the 2026 surveillance block (mandatory sampling Nov. 7-8).
What are the legal shooting hours at Ruff-Nik WMA?
On the Nov. 7 firearms opener, legal deer hours at Ruff-Nik WMA run 6:37 a.m. to 5:28 p.m..
If Ruff-Nik WMA is full, where is the next public land?
Public ground nearest by straight line: Lake Alexander Woods SNA (4.5 mi), Kobliska WMA (5.0 mi) and Turtle Creek WMA (5.7 mi).
Are tree stands allowed on Ruff-Nik WMA, and for how long?
No. Portable stands and blinds come off Ruff-Nik WMA every day (northwest Minnesota has an overnight exception Nov. 1-Dec. 31), and no equipment stays overnight.
Ruff-Nik WMA: is overnight camping allowed?
Not unless DNR designates a site or issues a permit; WMA rules bar other camping.
Is hunting legal on Ruff-Nik 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 Ruff-Nik WMA offer?
1,059 acres in 2 subunits.
What DPA is Ruff-Nik WMA, and what is its designation?
DPA 214 (200 series, 3-deer limit). Firearms deer runs Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026 there.
What animals can be hunted at Ruff-Nik WMA?
Deer, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, waterfowl and wild turkey, according to the agency page for Ruff-Nik WMA.
How do hunters reach Ruff-Nik WMA?
From Cushing, go 3.5 miles west on Morrison County CSAH 16. The Robinson Refuge Unit is on the north side of the road and the South Unit is on the south side of the road. Lots mapped: 3.
Other photos on this page: Charles Patrick Ewing (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); Yellowstone National Park (Public domain).