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Minnesota WMA
Rutledge Wildlife Management Area: seasons, rules and access
794 acres of wildlife management area ground in Pine County, deer permit area 153.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Rutledge Wildlife Management Area
Rutledge WMA on paper: the record in brief
Rutledge WMA covers 794 acres in Pine County. Among Pine County’s 16 wildlife management areas, it sits 4th for acres. Subunits (2): West Unit (319 ac) and East Unit (475 ac).
The 2026 deer designation for DPA 153 is antlerless permit lottery. Management sits with the Cloquet area wildlife staff, reachable at cloquet.wildlife@state.mn.us. Federal aid on file for Rutledge WMA: FmHA.
Hunted here: deer, waterfowl, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, wild turkey.
- White-tailed Deer
- Ducks
- Canada Goose
- Black Bear
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ruffed Grouse
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Rutledge Wildlife Management Area
Getting into Rutledge WMA
Directions and parking for Rutledge WMA as the DNR detail pages give them (2 parking points mapped).
- West Unit: From Rutledge, go 2 1/2 miles E on Co Rd 33
- East Unit: From Rutledge, go 4 1/2 miles E on Co Rd 33, East on Swanson Road for 0.5 mile, then North on Pioneer Rd for 0.8 miles. Access to unit is through an easement across private lands to the Parking Lot. Main access from parking lot is across floating boardwalk.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Use rules to read before hunting Rutledge WMA
Rutledge 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 |
Sources: record, agency rules; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Rutledge WMA deer rules: DPA 153
DPA 153 is a 100-series area set to antlerless permit lottery for 2026, with 500 antlerless lottery permits. DPA 153 rations does: firearm hunters need an antlerless permit from the Sept. 10 lottery.
| Deer season | Opening | Closing | Right now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Youth deer | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Firearms, 100 series | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 |
DPA 153 has optional CWD testing. At 361 square miles, DPA 153 is the unit deer rules follow. DPA 153 overlaps Carlton and Pine.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Rutledge WMA dates, species by species
Season rows matched to Rutledge 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 153 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 153 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 100 series | DPA 153 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 22, 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 51 | 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 |
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.
Rutledge WMA and the public ground around it
Straight-line distances run from the Rutledge WMA map point; D.A.R. State Forest (4.8 mi, south) leads the list.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | DPA | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D.A.R. State Forest | State forest | 364 | 153 | 4.8 mi | south |
| General C.C. Andrews State Forest | State forest | 5,718 | 153, 156 | 4.8 mi | north |
| Mark Lake WMA | WMA | 82 | 156 | 5.6 mi | west |
| Sand Creek AMA | AMA | 81 | 154 | 7.0 mi | east |
| Banning State Park | State park | 5,284 | 153, 156 | 7.4 mi | southwest |
| Moose Lake WMA | WMA | 47 | 156 | 8.5 mi | north |
| Sturgeon Lake WMA | WMA | 160 | 156 | 8.7 mi | northwest |
| Bremen WMA | WMA | 447 | 156 | 9.6 mi | west |
Points: DNR WMA boundary layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Pine County around Rutledge WMA
In Pine County there are 31 records like Rutledge WMA to choose from. Bear: quota area 51 reaches the county, 51 (1500 permits) for 2026. Turkey permit area 508 covers the county. Mille Lacs WMA Area Wildlife Office (Onamia) is the closest area wildlife office to the county centre. Watch for closed ground in Pine County such as Bang's Brook 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 Rutledge WMA
Closest town: Willow River, 4.3 mi in a straight line from Rutledge WMA. Most services: Sturgeon Lake, population 468. The unit page lists Rutledge as nearest town. The nearest DNR office is Cloquet Area Wildlife Office in Cloquet, 36 mi away.
| Town | County | 2024 population | Away | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willow River | Pine | 396 | 4.3 mi | northwest |
| Bruno | Pine | 83 | 4.8 mi | east |
| Rutledge | Pine | 212 | 5.5 mi | west |
| Askov | Pine | 331 | 6.2 mi | south |
| Sturgeon Lake | Pine | 468 | 8.2 mi | north |
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.
Near Rutledge Wildlife Management Area on the calendar
1 upcoming event here or nearby as of October 28, 2026.
Dates ahead
| Held on | Event | Away | Where held | Link | Checked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31–Nov 1, 2026 | Banning State Park Special Youth Deer Hunt 2026, a state park youth deer hunt | 7 | Event details | Source |
Before Rutledge Wildlife Management Area: where to check a zero
Hunters on Rutledge Wildlife Management Area can sight in at Sandstone Sportsmens Club Training Center (13 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 Rutledge WMA
Shooting starts 30 minutes before sunrise at Rutledge 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 | 6:53 a.m. | 7:17 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. | 7:47 p.m. | 7:17 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:01 a.m. | 7:03 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. | 7:33 p.m. | 7:03 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:20 a.m. | 6:36 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. | 7:06 p.m. | 6:36 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:00 a.m. | 4:50 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. | 5:20 p.m. | 4:50 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:29 a.m. | 4:29 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. | 4:59 p.m. | 4:29 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:54 a.m. | 4:33 p.m. | 7:24 a.m. | 5:03 p.m. | 4:33 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:28 a.m. | 7:55 p.m. | 5:58 a.m. | 8:25 p.m. | 7:55 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 Rutledge WMA
Quick answers before you hunt Rutledge WMA
What route leads to Rutledge WMA?
From Rutledge, go 2 1/2 miles E on Co Rd 33 Parking points on file: 2.
What can you hunt on Rutledge WMA?
Expect deer, waterfowl, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock and wild turkey on Rutledge WMA, per the record.
Do deer from Rutledge WMA need CWD testing?
Its DPA (153) is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
Who manages Rutledge WMA?
Rutledge WMA is managed by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, from its Cloquet office.
Where can I hunt public land close to Rutledge WMA?
The nearest public units are D.A.R. State Forest (4.8 mi), General C.C. Andrews State Forest (4.8 mi) and Mark Lake WMA (5.6 mi).
When is legal light on Rutledge WMA for the opener?
For the opener, 6:30 a.m. to 5:20 p.m.; birds stop at 4:50 p.m..
Is camping at Rutledge WMA allowed under WMA rules?
Camping is limited to designated areas or a DNR permit.
Can decoys or gear stay on Rutledge WMA overnight?
Stands are portable-only and leave with you; the one exception is the northwest overnight window from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31.
Rutledge WMA size: how much huntable ground?
Rutledge WMA covers 794 acres in 2 subunits.
May the public hunt Rutledge WMA?
Yes. The DNR WMA rules allow hunting and trapping in season on Rutledge WMA.
What are the 2026 deer rules on Rutledge WMA?
It is in deer permit area 153 (antlerless permit lottery). Guns: Nov 7 to Nov 22, 2026.
Rutledge WMA: what to double-check first
Seasons, closures and notices on Rutledge 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); Chad Davis. (CC BY 2.0); USFWS Mountain Prairie (Public domain).