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WMA · Northeast region
Willowsippi Wildlife Management Area hunting, 2026-27
Seasons, access rules and the nearest towns for this wildlife management area in Aitkin County.
Photo: Lorie Shaull (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Willowsippi Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Willowsippi Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.3 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 Willowsippi WMA
Willowsippi WMA adds 1,693 acres of public ground to Aitkin County. Line up the 27 wildlife management areas in Aitkin County by acres and Willowsippi WMA comes 8th. Its deer permit area is 171; the 2026 designation there is antlerless permit lottery.
DNR runs Willowsippi WMA from its Aitkin area office; email aitkin.wildlife@state.mn.us. Federal aid noted by DNR for Willowsippi WMA: Pittman-Robertson.
In DNR's words: This WMA is primarily managed for maintaining habitat for open land species such as sharp-tailed grouse and short-eared owls. There are state forest lands to the north and south of this unit.
Species on the record: deer, small game, sharp-tailed grouse, waterfowl.
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Willowsippi Wildlife Management Area
Willowsippi WMA route text and lots
Use these DNR directions to find Willowsippi WMA; the map pins its 1 parking point.
| Section | Acres | Town | Hunting | Lots | DNR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willowsippi WMA | 1,693 | Palisade | Open | 1 | DNR |
- Willowsippi WMA: From Palisade go 8 miles N. on Co. Rd. 5 to Co. Rd. 18. Most of the unit is on the N. side of Co. Rd. 18 There is a gravel parking lot near the center of the unit. Additional parking lot on east side of unit at the end of 285th Pl.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Willowsippi WMA access rules
The rows below restate the access rules on the agency record for Willowsippi 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 |
- Respect private property on adjacent lands.
Sources: record, agency rules; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Willowsippi WMA and deer permit area 171
The 2026 designation for DPA 171 is antlerless permit lottery, and 500 antlerless permits go out by lottery; firearms dates follow the 100-series window. Antlerless deer in DPA 171 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, 100 series | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 |
CWD sampling in DPA 171 is voluntary. The DPA covers 769 square miles. DPA 171 counties: Aitkin, Cass and Crow Wing.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Seasons open on Willowsippi WMA
Dated seasons that apply on Willowsippi WMA (32 rows), with today's status in the last column.
| Quarry | Season | Where | Opening | Closing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 171 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 171 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 100 series | DPA 171 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Ruffed, spruce grouse | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Hungarian partridge | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| 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 171 harvest, the area around Willowsippi WMA
Harvest numbers below are DPA 171 totals (1,165 in 2025), the closest DNR figure for Willowsippi WMA.
| Season | Bucks (adult) | Others | Registered | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 959 | 206 | 1,165 | 1.57 |
| 2024 | 880 | 188 | 1,068 | 1.44 |
| 2023 | 664 | 155 | 819 | 1.11 |
| 2022 | 632 | 348 | 980 | 1.32 |
| 2021 | 746 | 386 | 1,132 | 1.53 |
| 2020 | 460 | 604 | 1,064 | 1.70 |
| 2019 | 626 | 651 | 1,277 | 2.04 |
| 2018 | 916 | 853 | 1,769 | 2.52 |
| 2017 | 1,161 | 1,544 | 2,705 | 3.86 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Willowsippi WMA on the map with nearby land
Big pins mark Willowsippi WMA and its parking; Hill River State Forest is the nearest neighbor at 4.9 mi.
| Neighbor | Category | Acreage | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hill River State Forest | State forest | 79,323 | 171, 679 | 4.9 mi | north |
| Roberts-Wickstrom WMA | WMA | 786 | 171 | 6.0 mi | south |
| Moose Willow WMA | WMA | 16,946 | 171 | 6.8 mi | north |
| Wold WMA | WMA | 425 | 171 | 7.3 mi | southeast |
| Hay Point WMA | WMA | 350 | 171 | 7.3 mi | northwest |
| Savanna State Forest | State forest | 128,689 | 155, 156 | 9.5 mi | northeast |
| Gun Lake WMA | WMA | 829 | 171 | 11 mi | south |
| Sandy Lake Resevoir WMA | WMA | 24 | 171, 173 | 11 mi | southeast |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
What Aitkin County adds to a Willowsippi WMA trip
Willowsippi WMA is one of 43 public places we list in Aitkin County. Feeding ban: Aitkin County is inside it. Quota bear area 51 overlaps the county (51 (1500 permits)). Turkey: permit area 508. Area wildlife office: Aitkin Area Wildlife Office ((218) 429-3053). Do not mistake Willowsippi WMA for closed Aitkin County ground such as Cedar Lake Aquatic Management Area and Glacier 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 Willowsippi WMA
From Willowsippi WMA the nearest town is Palisade (8.1 mi). Hill City, with 615 residents, is the biggest town on the list. On the DNR record, the reference town is Palisade. DNR staff closest to Willowsippi WMA work out of Aitkin (24 mi).
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palisade | Aitkin | 169 | 8.1 mi | south |
| Hill City | Aitkin | 615 | 12 mi | northwest |
| McGregor | Aitkin | 378 | 17 mi | southeast |
| Tamarack | Aitkin | 61 | 21 mi | southeast |
| Warba | Itasca | 184 | 23 mi | northeast |
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 Willowsippi Wildlife Management Area
Moose-Willow Sportsmen Club, 9 miles away, is the nearest range to Willowsippi 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.
Willowsippi WMA legal light on key dates
Legal light at Willowsippi 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 | 6:55 a.m. | 7:20 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. | 7:50 p.m. | 7:20 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:04 a.m. | 7:06 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. | 7:36 p.m. | 7:06 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:23 a.m. | 6:38 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. | 7:08 p.m. | 6:38 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:04 a.m. | 4:52 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. | 5:22 p.m. | 4:52 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:34 a.m. | 4:30 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. | 5:00 p.m. | 4:30 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:59 a.m. | 4:34 p.m. | 7:29 a.m. | 5:04 p.m. | 4:34 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:30 a.m. | 7:59 p.m. | 6:00 a.m. | 8:29 p.m. | 7:59 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 Willowsippi WMA
Willowsippi WMA questions answered from its record
Does chronic wasting disease testing apply on Willowsippi WMA?
DPA 171 is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
What are the legal shooting hours at Willowsippi WMA?
On the Nov. 7 firearms opener, legal deer hours at Willowsippi WMA run 6:34 a.m. to 5:22 p.m..
If Willowsippi WMA is full, where is the next public land?
Public ground nearest by straight line: Hill River State Forest (4.9 mi), Roberts-Wickstrom WMA (6.0 mi) and Moose Willow WMA (6.8 mi).
Are tree stands allowed on Willowsippi WMA, and for how long?
No. Portable stands and blinds come off Willowsippi WMA every day (northwest Minnesota has an overnight exception Nov. 1-Dec. 31), and no equipment stays overnight.
Willowsippi WMA: is overnight camping allowed?
Not unless DNR designates a site or issues a permit; WMA rules bar other camping.
Is hunting legal on Willowsippi 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 Willowsippi WMA offer?
1,693 acres.
What DPA is Willowsippi WMA, and what is its designation?
DPA 171 (100 series, antlerless permit lottery). Firearms deer runs Nov 7 to Nov 22, 2026 there.
What animals can be hunted at Willowsippi WMA?
Deer, small game, sharp-tailed grouse and waterfowl, according to the agency page for Willowsippi WMA.
How do hunters reach Willowsippi WMA?
From Palisade go 8 miles N. on Co. Rd. 5 to Co. Rd. 18. Most of the unit is on the N. side of Co. Rd. 18 Lots mapped: 1.
Who holds title to Willowsippi WMA?
Land manager for Willowsippi WMA: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Aitkin office.
Other photos on this page: DaPuglet (CC BY-SA 2.0); Yellowstone National Park (Public domain); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).