Home › Minnesota › Public land › Albion WMA
Minnesota WMA
Albion Wildlife Management Area: seasons, rules and access
545 acres of wildlife management area ground in Wright County, deer permit area 219.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Albion Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Albion Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Albion WMA ParkingParking · 0.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.7 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.
Albion WMA on paper: the record in brief
Albion WMA covers 545 acres in Wright County. Among Wright County’s 17 wildlife management areas, it sits 5th for acres. The 2026 deer designation for DPA 219 is 3-deer limit.
Management sits with the Sauk Rapids area wildlife staff, reachable at saukrapids.wildlife@state.mn.us. Federal aid on file for Albion WMA: Pittman-Robertson.
DNR describes the unit this way: Recently acquired lands should allow for a restoration of a 60 acre drained shallow lake. Management emphasis is on improving and maintaining wetlands, surrounding grasslands and hardwood forest. Please respect property boundaries and ask for permission before going on private lands. Help us be good neighbors. The future of our WMA program depends on everyone being responsible users of our WMAs.
Hunted here: deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey.
- White-tailed Deer
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- Ducks
- Canada Goose
- Wild Turkey
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Albion Wildlife Management Area
Getting into Albion WMA
Directions and parking for Albion WMA as the DNR detail pages give them (2 parking points mapped).
| Piece | Acres | Town | Status | Lots | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albion WMA | 545 | Annandale | Open | 2 | DNR |
- Albion WMA: 3 miles south of Annandale on County 5. Wheelchair access is limited to public roads and mowed parking lots on this unit.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Use rules to read before hunting Albion WMA
Albion 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.
Albion WMA deer rules: DPA 219
DPA 219 is a 200-series area set to 3-deer limit for 2026. The 3-deer limit in DPA 219 is reached with bonus permits on top of the regular license.
| Deer season | Opening | Closing | Right 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 |
Surveillance block: bring adult deer taken Nov. 7-8 for sampling. At 426 square miles, DPA 219 is the unit deer rules follow. DPA 219 overlaps Wright, Stearns, Meeker and Sherburne.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Albion WMA dates, species by species
Season rows matched to Albion 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 219 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Early antlerless | DPA 219 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 219 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 219 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 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, 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 |
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.
Harvest trend near Albion WMA
In 2025 hunters registered 1,989 deer across DPA 219 (5.08 per square mile); the table runs back to 2017.
| Season | Adult males | Antlerless and fawns | DPA total | Deer per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 999 | 990 | 1,989 | 5.08 |
| 2024 | 994 | 979 | 1,973 | 5.04 |
| 2023 | 839 | 870 | 1,709 | 4.37 |
| 2022 | 898 | 989 | 1,887 | 4.82 |
| 2021 | 874 | 879 | 1,753 | 4.48 |
| 2020 | 927 | 1,182 | 2,109 | 5.39 |
| 2019 | 855 | 810 | 1,665 | 4.25 |
| 2018 | 753 | 610 | 1,363 | 3.48 |
| 2017 | 784 | 576 | 1,360 | 3.47 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Albion WMA and the public ground around it
Straight-line distances run from the Albion WMA map point; Annandale WPA (1.4 mi, north) leads the list.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | DPA | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annandale WPA | WPA | 161 | 219 | 1.4 mi | north |
| Albion WPA | WPA | 141 | 219 | 2.1 mi | southeast |
| Swartout WMA | WMA | 110 | 219 | 2.7 mi | east |
| Hidden Marsh WMA | WMA | 39 | 219 | 3.0 mi | east |
| Goose Lake WPA | WPA | 355 | 219 | 3.2 mi | west |
| French Lake WPA | WPA | 171 | 219 | 3.6 mi | south |
| Corinna WMA | WMA | 81 | 219 | 4.4 mi | east |
| Ramsey Lake AMA | AMA | 7.4 | 219 | 6.0 mi | east |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Wright County around Albion WMA
In Wright County there are 35 records like Albion WMA to choose from. The feeding and attractant ban covers Wright County. For bear, Wright County is no-quota. Turkey permit area 507 and 506 covers the county. Sauk Rapids Area Wildlife Office (Sauk Rapids) is the closest area wildlife office to the county centre. Watch for closed ground in Wright County such as Cokato Lake 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 Albion WMA
Closest town: Annandale, 2.6 mi in a straight line from Albion WMA. The unit page lists Annandale as nearest town. The nearest DNR office is Sauk Rapids Area Wildlife Office in Sauk Rapids, 25 mi away.
| Town | County | 2024 population | Away | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annandale | Wright | 3,487 | 2.6 mi | north |
| Maple Lake | Wright | 2,214 | 5.2 mi | east |
| South Haven | Wright | 183 | 6.9 mi | northwest |
| Fairhaven | Stearns | – | 8.3 mi | northwest |
| Silver Creek | Wright | – | 8.6 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.
Before Albion Wildlife Management Area: public and club ranges
Run by Three Rivers Park District, Elm Creek Park Reserve is 33 miles from Albion Wildlife Management Area. After it come clubs within 30 miles. 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 Albion WMA
Shooting starts 30 minutes before sunrise at Albion 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 | 6:58 a.m. | 7:22 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. | 7:52 p.m. | 7:22 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:07 a.m. | 7:09 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. | 7:39 p.m. | 7:09 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:24 a.m. | 6:42 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. | 7:12 p.m. | 6:42 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:03 a.m. | 4:58 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. | 5:28 p.m. | 4:58 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:31 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 7:01 a.m. | 5:08 p.m. | 4:38 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:55 a.m. | 4:43 p.m. | 7:25 a.m. | 5:13 p.m. | 4:43 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:35 a.m. | 7:59 p.m. | 6:05 a.m. | 8:29 p.m. | 7:59 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 Albion WMA
Quick answers before you hunt Albion WMA
May the public hunt Albion WMA?
Yes. The DNR WMA rules allow hunting and trapping in season on Albion WMA.
Is camping at Albion WMA allowed under WMA rules?
Camping is limited to designated areas or a DNR permit.
What are the 2026 deer rules on Albion WMA?
It is in deer permit area 219 (3-deer limit). Guns: Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Albion WMA size: how much huntable ground?
Albion WMA covers 545 acres.
What route leads to Albion WMA?
3 miles south of Annandale on County 5. Parking points on file: 2.
What can you hunt on Albion WMA?
Expect deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl and wild turkey on Albion WMA, per the record.
Do deer from Albion WMA need CWD testing?
Its DPA (219) is in the 2026 surveillance block (mandatory sampling Nov. 7-8).
Who manages Albion WMA?
Albion WMA is managed by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, from its Sauk Rapids office.
Where can I hunt public land close to Albion WMA?
The nearest public units are Annandale WPA (1.4 mi), Albion WPA (2.1 mi) and Swartout WMA (2.7 mi).
When is legal light on Albion WMA for the opener?
For the opener, 6:33 a.m. to 5:28 p.m.; birds stop at 4:58 p.m..
Can decoys or gear stay on Albion WMA overnight?
Stands are portable-only and leave with you; the one exception is the northwest overnight window from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31.
Albion WMA: what to double-check first
Seasons, closures and notices on Albion 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-SA 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0).