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WMA · South region
Victory Wildlife Management Area hunting, 2026-27
Seasons, access rules and the nearest towns for this wildlife management area in Big Stone County.
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Getting to Victory Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Victory Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.3 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 Victory WMA
Victory WMA adds 811 acres of public ground to Big Stone County. Line up the 22 wildlife management areas in Big Stone County by acres and Victory WMA comes 3rd. Its deer permit area is 274; the 2026 designation there is antlerless permit lottery.
DNR runs Victory WMA from its Appleton area office; email appleton.wildlife@state.mn.us. Federal aid noted by DNR for Victory WMA: Pittman-Robertson.
Species on the record: deer, pheasant, waterfowl.
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Victory Wildlife Management Area
Victory WMA route text and lots
Use these DNR directions to find Victory WMA; the map pins its 2 parking points.
| Section | Acres | Town | Hunting | Lots | DNR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victory WMA | 811 | Ortonville | Open | 2 | DNR |
- Victory WMA: From Ortonville, go 3 miles E on US 12 then 2 miles N on Co Rd 67.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Victory WMA access rules
The rows below restate the access rules on the agency record for Victory 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.
Victory WMA and deer permit area 274
The 2026 designation for DPA 274 is antlerless permit lottery, and 400 antlerless permits go out by lottery; firearms dates follow the 200-series window. Antlerless deer in DPA 274 need a lottery permit for the firearms seasons; the declaration deadline was Sept. 10.
| 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 |
It is also in the 2026 surveillance block, with mandatory CWD sampling Nov. 7-8. The DPA covers 381 square miles. DPA 274 counties: Big Stone and Traverse.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Seasons open on Victory WMA
Dated seasons that apply on Victory WMA (18 rows), with today's status in the last column.
| Quarry | Season | Where | Opening | Closing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 274 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 274 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 274 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| 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 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | Central Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | Central Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Dec 30, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 6, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Spring light goose | Statewide | Feb 18, 2027 | Apr 30, 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 274 harvest, the area around Victory WMA
Harvest numbers below are DPA 274 totals (495 in 2025), the closest DNR figure for Victory WMA.
| Season | Bucks (adult) | Others | Registered | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 361 | 134 | 495 | 1.40 |
| 2024 | 333 | 120 | 453 | 1.28 |
| 2023 | 265 | 137 | 402 | 1.13 |
| 2022 | 301 | 139 | 440 | 1.24 |
| 2021 | 329 | 103 | 432 | 1.22 |
| 2020 | 330 | 121 | 451 | 1.27 |
| 2019 | 300 | 115 | 415 | 1.17 |
| 2018 | 232 | 139 | 371 | 1.05 |
| 2017 | 293 | 148 | 441 | 1.24 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Victory WMA on the map with nearby land
Big pins mark Victory WMA and its parking; Helgeson WPA is the nearest neighbor at 1.1 mi.
| Neighbor | Category | Acreage | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helgeson WPA | WPA | 199 | 274 | 1.1 mi | southeast |
| Prairie WMA | WMA | 186 | 274 | 1.2 mi | west |
| Prairie WPA | WPA | 259 | 274 | 1.3 mi | west |
| Twin Lakes WPA | WPA | 396 | 274 | 1.5 mi | northwest |
| Lindquist WMA | WMA | 72 | 274 | 2.0 mi | east |
| Tangen WPA | WPA | 70 | 274 | 2.0 mi | southwest |
| Reisdorph WMA | WMA | 215 | 274 | 2.5 mi | northwest |
| Redhead Marsh WPA | WPA | 254 | 274 | 2.6 mi | southwest |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
What Big Stone County adds to a Victory WMA trip
Victory WMA is one of 86 public places we list in Big Stone County. Bear licenses in Big Stone County are no-quota, sold over the counter. Turkey: permit area 505 and 506. Area wildlife office: Appleton Area Wildlife Office ((320) 435-4040). Do not mistake Victory WMA for closed Big Stone County ground such as Bonanza Prairie Scientific and Natural Area and Clinton Prairie Scientific and Natural 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 Victory WMA
From Victory WMA the nearest town is Ortonville (4.6 mi). On the DNR record, the reference town is Ortonville. DNR staff closest to Victory WMA work out of Watson (30 mi).
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ortonville | Big Stone | 1,970 | 4.6 mi | southwest |
| Odessa | Big Stone | 103 | 5.0 mi | south |
| Clinton | Big Stone | 371 | 10 mi | northwest |
| Correll | Big Stone | 27 | 12 mi | southeast |
| Bellingham | Lac qui Parle | 141 | 14 mi | south |
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 Victory Wildlife Management Area
From Victory Wildlife Management Area, the nearest listed range is Big Stone Area Rifle Club at 5 miles; public ranges on file are over 60 miles away. 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.
Victory WMA legal light on key dates
Legal light at Victory 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 | 7:07 a.m. | 7:31 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. | 8:01 p.m. | 7:31 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:16 a.m. | 7:18 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. | 7:48 p.m. | 7:18 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:33 a.m. | 6:51 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. | 7:21 p.m. | 6:51 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:12 a.m. | 5:07 p.m. | 6:42 a.m. | 5:37 p.m. | 5:07 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:40 a.m. | 4:47 p.m. | 7:10 a.m. | 5:17 p.m. | 4:47 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:05 a.m. | 4:51 p.m. | 7:35 a.m. | 5:21 p.m. | 4:51 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:44 a.m. | 8:08 p.m. | 6:14 a.m. | 8:38 p.m. | 8:08 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 Victory WMA
Victory WMA questions answered from its record
Does chronic wasting disease testing apply on Victory WMA?
DPA 274 is in the 2026 surveillance block (mandatory sampling Nov. 7-8).
What are the legal shooting hours at Victory WMA?
On the Nov. 7 firearms opener, legal deer hours at Victory WMA run 6:42 a.m. to 5:37 p.m..
If Victory WMA is full, where is the next public land?
Public ground nearest by straight line: Helgeson WPA (1.1 mi), Prairie WMA (1.2 mi) and Prairie WPA (1.3 mi).
Are tree stands allowed on Victory WMA, and for how long?
No. Portable stands and blinds come off Victory WMA every day (northwest Minnesota has an overnight exception Nov. 1-Dec. 31), and no equipment stays overnight.
Victory WMA: is overnight camping allowed?
Not unless DNR designates a site or issues a permit; WMA rules bar other camping.
Is hunting legal on Victory 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 Victory WMA offer?
811 acres.
What DPA is Victory WMA, and what is its designation?
DPA 274 (200 series, antlerless permit lottery). Firearms deer runs Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026 there.
What animals can be hunted at Victory WMA?
Deer, pheasant and waterfowl, according to the agency page for Victory WMA.
How do hunters reach Victory WMA?
From Ortonville, go 3 miles E on US 12 then 2 miles N on Co Rd 67. Lots mapped: 2.
Who holds title to Victory WMA?
Land manager for Victory WMA: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Appleton office.
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).