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Cass County, MN · town base
Hunting land and deer areas around Whipholt, MN
Hunting from Whipholt, Minnesota: public land by distance, deer permit area rules for Cass County, legal light and the nearest processors and taxidermists.
Photo: From Cass County, not the town itself: Red sunset reflected across Ten Mile Lake in Cass County. Ron Cogswell (CC BY 2.0)
Whipholt is part of Cass County, out in the DNR Northwest Region. It has a page because Chippewa National Forest reaches the town itself. Battleground State Forest is the reason Whipholt is listed: its nearest line lies 9.5 miles out. Population is blank for Whipholt, a Census-designated place outside any city. Within 10 miles of the town point, WMA, state forest, SNA, national forest and federal refuge boundaries take in about 38,161 acres, with 27 listed units in the ring. Ranked by miles, Blackduck Ranger District, Chippewa National Forest, which reaches the town itself heads the list.
Town point and land area from the Census 2024 Gazetteer; public acreage and boundary miles within 10 miles are a GIS measure over DNR, USFS and USFWS boundaries (places.json). DNR region from the DNR county region list. Checked October 28, 2026.
Lands closest to Whipholt
Miles are measured as the crow flies from the Census point of Whipholt, so allow for longer road distances.
| Unit | Bearing | Type | Agency | DPA | Edge | Center | Acres | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackduck Ranger District, Chippewa National Forest | at town | Ranger district | USFS | 110, 169 | at town | 39 mi | 187,217 | – |
| Deer River Ranger District, Chippewa National Forest | at town | Ranger district | USFS | 169, 171 | at town | 38 mi | 297,666 | – |
| Walker Ranger District, Chippewa National Forest | at town | Ranger district | USFS | 171, 172 | at town | 7.9 mi | 174,775 | – |
| Miller's Bay AMA | 1.9 mi NW | AMA | DNR | 197 | 1.9 mi | 1.9 mi | 9 | General Use |
| Ah Gwah Ching AMA | 2.2 mi W | AMA | DNR | 259 | 2.2 mi | 8.8 mi | 41 | General Use |
| Ah-gwah-ching WMA | 2.2 mi E | WMA | DNR | 197 | 2.2 mi | 2.5 mi | 228 | – |
| Marshall Point AMA | 4.3 mi NW | AMA | DNR | 197 | 4.3 mi | 4.3 mi | 21 | General Use |
| Mann Lake AMA | 4.4 mi S | AMA | DNR | 172 | 4.4 mi | 4.4 mi | 15 | General Use |
| Hazel Lake AMA | 5.3 mi SE | AMA | DNR | 197 | 5.3 mi | 5.2 mi | 71 | General Use |
| Tanglewood Lake AMA | 5.5 mi W | AMA | DNR | 197 | 5.5 mi | 5.4 mi | 22 | General Use |
| Leech Lake AMA | 5.9 mi NW | AMA | DNR | 197 | 5.9 mi | 5.8 mi | 54 | General Use |
| Baby Lake AMA | 6.1 mi S | AMA | DNR | 172 | 6.1 mi | 6.1 mi | 8 | General Use |
| Larson Lake AMA | 6.3 mi SW | AMA | DNR | 172 | 6.3 mi | 6.3 mi | 25 | General Use |
| Kid/Lost AMA | 6.4 mi S | AMA | DNR | 172 | 6.4 mi | 6.4 mi | 12 | General Use |
| Bear Island AMA | 6.7 mi NE | AMA | DNR | 197 | 6.7 mi | 6.7 mi | 86 | General Use |
| Child Lake AMA | 6.7 mi S | AMA | DNR | 172 | 6.7 mi | 6.7 mi | 2 | General Use |
Acre for acre, Deer River Ranger District, Chippewa National Forest (297,666 acres) is the biggest piece inside the ring. By kind, the ring holds 3 WMAs, 1 state forest or grouse area, 3 federal units and 20 AMAs, SNAs and parks. The closest WMA is Ah-gwah-ching Wildlife Management Area, open to hunting and trapping in regular seasons under the DNR WMA rules.
Lands from DNR WMA, state forest, SNA, AMA and parks records, USFS and USFWS (lands.json; each land page cites its own source). Boundary miles from places.json, center miles from each mapped point. WPA rules from the USFWS Minnesota WMD hunting regulations; WMA rules from the DNR WMA rules. Checked October 28, 2026.
Deer areas and CWD status near Whipholt
The share column shows how much of Cass County each DPA covers; the tag marks the DPA of the nearest public land to Whipholt.
| Permit area | Of county | Rule | Gun season | Second SE | Muzzleloader | Oct. antlerless | Disease |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 110 near town | across line | Antlerless permit lottery (250) | Nov 7–22 | – | Nov 28–Dec 13 | No | – |
| DPA 197 | 32% | Antlerless permit lottery (300) | Nov 7–22 | – | Nov 28–Dec 13 | No | – |
| DPA 172 | 28% | Antlerless permit lottery (500) | Nov 7–22 | – | Nov 28–Dec 13 | No | – |
| DPA 246 | 22% | Either-sex | Nov 7–15 | – | Nov 28–Dec 13 | No | – |
| DPA 259 | 6% | Antlerless permit lottery (2,000) | Nov 7–15 | – | Nov 28–Dec 13 | No | – |
| DPA 171 | 5% | Antlerless permit lottery (500) | Nov 7–22 | – | Nov 28–Dec 13 | No | – |
| DPA 604 | 4% | 3-deer limit | Nov 7–22 | – | Nov 28–Dec 13 | No | Mgmt zone |
DPA 110 (100 series) covers blackduck Ranger District, Chippewa National Forest, the nearest unit with a mapped deer area, and sets the deer rules there. Antlerless deer in DPA 110 take a lottery permit in the gun seasons (250 were offered for 2026); youth under 18 are exempt. Expect the firearms opener on Nov. 7 and a close per the table: Nov 7–22 for DPA 110. Cass County is one of the 37 counties where deer feeding and attractants, including urine-based scents, are banned.
DPA designations, lottery quotas, season windows and CWD status from the DNR deer permit area service and the 2026-2027 booklet DPA lists; county shares from a GIS overlay (counties.json). CWD rules from the booklet CWD pages; shotgun ordinances from the booklet county list. Checked October 28, 2026.
Non-deer units that reach Whipholt
| Unit | Coverage | Permits issued | Registered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quota area 46 | 34% of county | 950 permits | 350 bears (2025) |
| Quota area 45 | 27% of county | 700 permits | 187 bears (2025) |
| Quota area 47 | 25% of county | 40 permits | 25 bears (2025) |
| Quota area 51 | 7% of county | 1,500 permits | 436 bears (2025) |
| Quota area 28 | 6% of county | 60 permits | 33 bears (2025) |
| Turkey unit 508 | 68% of county | Periods A-F | 3,067 spring birds (2026) |
| Turkey unit 507 | 32% of county | Periods A-F | 4,287 spring birds (2026) |
The bear drawing for area 46 offered 950 permits; the season is Sept. 1 to Oct. 18. Turkey area 508 gave up 3,067 spring birds in 2026 and 1,623 in 2019. For ducks and geese, find Whipholt on the DNR zone map; the lines follow highways, not counties. North and South furbearer zones split along I-94/US 10.
Bear areas and 2026 permits from the 2026 bear regulations; bear harvest from the DNR bear harvest reports; turkey harvest from the DNR spring turkey reports; elk, sharp-tailed grouse and prairie chicken from DNR pages; refuges from the booklet state game refuge table; zone lines from the booklet waterfowl map. Shares are GIS overlays. Checked October 28, 2026.
Whipholt calendar of open seasons
24 species and 50 dated windows touch Cass County; the last column compares each one with today.
| Quarry | Season | Permit area | From | To | Status today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery | All DPAs here | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer | All DPAs here | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms (100 series) | DPAs 171, 172, 197, 604 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Firearms (200 series) | DPAs 246, 259 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Quota areas | Quota areas 28, 45, 46, 47, 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 | |
| Pheasant | Regular | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Ruffed and 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 | |
| Mourning dove | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Rabbits and 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 | |
| Rails | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Dec 16, 2026 | |
| Canada Goose | Early geese | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Snow, Blue and Ross's Geese | Early geese | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Early teal season | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 9, 2026 | |
| Ducks | 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 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | South Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Canada Goose | Regular geese | North Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Dec 25, 2026 | |
| Canada Goose | Regular geese | Central Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Canada Goose | Regular geese | South Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Take-a-Kid weekend | Take-a-Kid | Statewide | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | Central Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Canada Goose | Regular geese | Central Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Dec 30, 2026 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting (north) | North furbearer zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | |
| American Badger | Hunting (north) | North furbearer zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Canada Goose | Regular geese | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 6, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting (south) | South furbearer zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | |
| American Badger | 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 | |
| Snow, Blue and Ross's Geese | Spring light goose | Statewide | Feb 18, 2027 | Apr 30, 2027 | |
| Crow | Crow segment | Statewide | Mar 1, 2027 | Mar 31, 2027 |
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources) and the DNR deer permit area map, checked October 28, 2026.
How many deer come out of DPA 110 near Whipholt
The bars are DPA 110 totals as DNR printed them, the closest public harvest figure for the ground near Whipholt. In 2025 the DPA gave up 1,210 deer, compared with 1,926 in 2017. Adult bucks made up 983 of the 2025 total. Per square mile, the 2025 harvest was 2.29, 53rd in the state.
| Season | Deer | Adult males | Adult females | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1,072 | 797 | 218 | 2.03 |
| 2023 | 1,080 | 807 | 227 | 2.04 |
| 2024 | 1,113 | 916 | 155 | 2.11 |
| 2025 | 1,210 | 983 | 182 | 2.29 |
From the DNR 2025 deer harvest report and earlier reports (harvest.json); DPA numbers as in each report year, and boundaries changed over time. Checked October 28, 2026.
After the hunt in Whipholt, processors and shops
Businesses in Cass County and the counties beside it, sorted by straight-line miles from Whipholt; license agents and big-box chains are left out. Emily Meats, 29 mi away, can take a donated deer for the food shelf program. Walker Taxidermy collects CWD samples under the DNR partner program.
| Service | Within 15 mi | Within 35 mi | Nearest | Miles | Town |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processors | 0 | 2 | Backus Locker | 16 mi S | Backus |
| Mounts | 2 | 10 | Walker Taxidermy | 10 mi W | Walker |
| Gun and bow shops | 4 | 16 | Reeds Family Outdoor Outfitters | 10 mi NW | Walker |
| Shooting preserves | 0 | 3 | Bader's Pheasant Run | 16 mi NE | Federal Dam |
Processors
Mounts
Gun and bow shops
Shooting preserves
Processors from the MDA venison donation processor list, the DNR CWD partner list and Yellow Pages; taxidermists, shops and preserves from the DNR partner list, DNR license agent feed and Yellow Pages (services.json). Checked October 28, 2026; hours were not checked.
Whipholt and its DNR area wildlife office
DNR runs Cass County wildlife work from Brainerd (most of it) and Park Rapids and Grand Rapids. Bemidji hosts the regional office for DNR Region 1. Field staff are often out, so call ahead before driving to an area office.
Minnesota DNR Park Rapids Area Wildlife Office (33 mi west)
Minnesota DNR Region 1 (Northwest) Headquarters, 41 mi off to the northwest
Offices from the DNR wildlife area offices page and the DNR regions page; work-area shares from the DNR wildlife admin layer (counties.json). Checked October 28, 2026.
Closest shooting lines to Whipholt
Distances start from the Census point of Whipholt.
Straight-line miles from the town centre; ranges checked October 28, 2026.
Whipholt first and last shooting light
Pheasant hunting starts at 9 a.m. and runs to sunset, early teal runs sunrise to sunset, and big game gets the half hour on each end.
| Day | Hunt | First sun | Last sun | Big game window | Bird window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Archery and grouse opener | 6:59 a.m. | 7:24 p.m. | 6:29 a.m.–7:54 p.m. | 6:29 a.m.–7:24 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:08 a.m. | 7:10 p.m. | 6:38 a.m.–7:40 p.m. | 6:38 a.m.–7:10 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:26 a.m. | 6:42 p.m. | 6:56 a.m.–7:12 p.m. | 6:56 a.m.–6:42 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:08 a.m. | 4:55 p.m. | 6:38 a.m.–5:25 p.m. | 6:38 a.m.–4:55 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:38 a.m. | 4:33 p.m. | 7:08 a.m.–5:03 p.m. | 7:08 a.m.–4:33 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:03 a.m. | 4:37 p.m. | 7:33 a.m.–5:07 p.m. | 7:33 a.m.–4:37 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:33 a.m. | 8:02 p.m. | 6:03 a.m.–8:32 p.m. | 6:03 a.m.–8:02 p.m. |
Hours rule from the DNR booklet shooting hours page; sun times calculated for the county centre (NOAA method, Central Time), checked against U.S. Naval Observatory tables; checked October 28, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Whipholt hunting FAQ
Which deer processor is nearest Whipholt, Minnesota?
Closest is Backus Locker (16 mi).
What are the deer opener hours for Cass County?
Opener hours in Cass County: 6:38 a.m. to 5:25 p.m.
Are there still deer tags in Minnesota?
No. Since 2026 the electronic licensing system has no physical tags; you validate the harvest at the kill site and register within 48 hours.
Where is the DNR area wildlife office for Whipholt?
At 603 – 1st Street West, Park Rapids; call (218) 732-8452 ext. 235.
Which nearby towns have hunting pages?
Walker, Backus and Akeley, then Nevis.
What color must I wear deer hunting near Whipholt?
Blaze orange or pink on the cap and outer clothing above the waist, except sleeves and gloves.
How big is the public land base near Whipholt?
GIS puts it at 38,161 acres, with 27 units listed here.
Which unit is the closest public hunting ground to Whipholt?
Look first at Blackduck Ranger District, Chippewa National Forest, which reaches the town itself. After that: Deer River Ranger District, Chippewa National Forest, which reaches the town itself.
What are the gun deer dates around Whipholt?
Nov 7–22 in DPA 110, then muzzleloader Nov 28–Dec 13.
What DPA applies to deer hunting near Whipholt?
DPA 110, the area under the closest public unit, is antlerless permit lottery in 2026; check the DNR map near any DPA line.
Do I need a bear lottery permit near Whipholt?
Yes, quota area 46 takes a license drawn in the DNR bear lottery; 950 were set for 2026.
Which chronic wasting disease rules cover deer near Whipholt?
Only the statewide ones: no imported carcasses from outside Minnesota and no carcass disposal on public land, road rights-of-way or water; testing is voluntary. No feeding or attractants in Cass County.
Answers from places.json, lands.json, counties.json, services.json and the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations; registration from booklet p. 28, blaze rules from booklet p. 39. Checked October 28, 2026.
One more look before Whipholt hunters leave
Distances on this page are straight lines from Whipholt; each WMA, WPA, forest and refuge has its own rules, so read the land page and the 2026-27 booklet before you go.
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); USFWS Midwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0).