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Minnesota WMA
Atherton Wildlife Management Area: seasons, rules and access
524 acres of wildlife management area ground in Wilkin County, deer permit area 269.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Atherton Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Atherton Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.6 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.
Atherton WMA on paper: the record in brief
Atherton WMA covers 524 acres in Wilkin County. Among Wilkin County’s 6 wildlife management areas, it sits 4th for acres. The 2026 deer designation for DPA 269 is either-sex.
Management sits with the Fergus Falls area wildlife staff, reachable at fergusfalls.wildlife@state.mn.us. Federal aid on file for Atherton WMA: Pittman-Robertson.
DNR describes the unit this way: Excellent upland bird hunting, including prairie chicken, as well as some deer and waterfowl opportunities.
Hunted here: deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl, mourning dove.
- White-tailed Deer
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- Ducks
- Canada Goose
- Mourning Dove
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Atherton Wildlife Management Area
Getting into Atherton WMA
Directions and parking for Atherton WMA as the DNR detail pages give them (1 parking point mapped).
| Piece | Acres | Town | Status | Lots | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atherton WMA | 524 | Lawndale | Open | 1 | DNR |
- Atherton WMA: From Lawndale, go 3 miles W on CSAH 30 then 1 mile S on TWP RD. Access is from 270th Ave on east side of the unit with a parking area in the NE corner.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Use rules to read before hunting Atherton WMA
Atherton 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.
Atherton WMA deer rules: DPA 269
DPA 269 is a 200-series area set to either-sex for 2026. A buck or a doe both count in DPA 269 this year.
| Deer season | Opening | Closing | Right 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 |
DPA 269 has optional CWD testing. At 652 square miles, DPA 269 is the unit deer rules follow. DPA 269 overlaps Clay and Wilkin.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Atherton WMA dates, species by species
Season rows matched to Atherton 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 269 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 269 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 269 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| 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 | |
| Mourning dove | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 29, 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.
Harvest trend near Atherton WMA
In 2025 hunters registered 464 deer across DPA 269 (0.71 per square mile); the table runs back to 2017.
| Season | Adult males | Antlerless and fawns | DPA total | Deer per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 367 | 97 | 464 | 0.71 |
| 2024 | 338 | 80 | 418 | 0.64 |
| 2023 | 294 | 101 | 395 | 0.61 |
| 2022 | 308 | 122 | 430 | 0.66 |
| 2021 | 347 | 111 | 458 | 0.70 |
| 2020 | 372 | 107 | 479 | 0.74 |
| 2019 | 334 | 107 | 441 | 0.68 |
| 2018 | 329 | 140 | 469 | 0.72 |
| 2017 | 321 | 99 | 420 | 0.65 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Atherton WMA and the public ground around it
Straight-line distances run from the Atherton WMA map point; Rogelstad Swanson WMA (2.0 mi, south) leads the list.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | DPA | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rogelstad Swanson WMA | WMA | 632 | 269 | 2.0 mi | south |
| Rothsay WMA | WMA | 4,089 | 269, 270 | 4.3 mi | southeast |
| Manston Marsh WMA | WMA | 2,733 | 269 | 5.7 mi | southwest |
| Haugrud-sillerud WPA | WPA | 61 | 269 | 5.9 mi | northeast |
| Bellmore WPA | WPA | 436 | 239 | 6.6 mi | northeast |
| Shulstad-Blankenship WPA | WPA | 46 | 239 | 7.1 mi | northeast |
| Meadows WPA | WPA | 1,305 | 270 | 7.4 mi | southwest |
| Interstate Highway 94 Borrow Pit WMA | WMA | 93 | 269 | 9.4 mi | north |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Wilkin County around Atherton WMA
In Wilkin County there are 14 records like Atherton WMA to choose from. The feeding and attractant ban covers Wilkin County. Firearms deer: Wilkin County still has a local shotgun ordinance (partial shotgun-only ordinance). For bear, Wilkin County is no-quota. Turkey permit area 506 and 507 covers the county. Fergus Falls Area Wildlife Office (Fergus Falls) is the closest area wildlife office to the county centre. Watch for closed ground in Wilkin County such as Lawndale Creek 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 Atherton WMA
Closest town: Barnesville, 7.2 mi in a straight line from Atherton WMA. The unit page lists Lawndale as nearest town. The nearest DNR office is Fergus Falls Area Wildlife Office in Fergus Falls, 24 mi away.
| Town | County | 2024 population | Away | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnesville | Clay | 2,765 | 7.2 mi | north |
| Rothsay | Wilkin | 487 | 9.1 mi | southeast |
| Baker | Clay | – | 12 mi | northwest |
| Kent | Wilkin | 63 | 14 mi | southwest |
| Wolverton | Wilkin | 122 | 14 mi | west |
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 Atherton Wildlife Management Area: where to check a zero
Hunters on Atherton Wildlife Management Area can sight in at Pelican River Gun Club (17 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 Atherton WMA
Shooting starts 30 minutes before sunrise at Atherton 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 | 7:07 a.m. | 7:32 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. | 8:02 p.m. | 7:32 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 | 7:35 a.m. | 6:51 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. | 7:21 p.m. | 6:51 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:15 a.m. | 5:04 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. | 5:34 p.m. | 5:04 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:45 a.m. | 4:43 p.m. | 7:15 a.m. | 5:13 p.m. | 4:43 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:10 a.m. | 4:47 p.m. | 7:40 a.m. | 5:17 p.m. | 4:47 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:42 a.m. | 8:10 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. | 8:40 p.m. | 8:10 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 Atherton WMA
Quick answers before you hunt Atherton WMA
Where can I hunt public land close to Atherton WMA?
The nearest public units are Rogelstad Swanson WMA (2.0 mi), Rothsay WMA (4.3 mi) and Manston Marsh WMA (5.7 mi).
When is legal light on Atherton WMA for the opener?
For the opener, 6:45 a.m. to 5:34 p.m.; birds stop at 5:04 p.m..
Is camping at Atherton WMA allowed under WMA rules?
Camping is limited to designated areas or a DNR permit.
Can decoys or gear stay on Atherton WMA overnight?
Stands are portable-only and leave with you; the one exception is the northwest overnight window from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31.
Atherton WMA size: how much huntable ground?
Atherton WMA covers 524 acres.
May the public hunt Atherton WMA?
Yes. The DNR WMA rules allow hunting and trapping in season on Atherton WMA.
What can you hunt on Atherton WMA?
Expect deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl and mourning dove on Atherton WMA, per the record.
What are the 2026 deer rules on Atherton WMA?
It is in deer permit area 269 (either-sex). Guns: Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Who manages Atherton WMA?
Atherton WMA is managed by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, from its Fergus Falls office.
What route leads to Atherton WMA?
From Lawndale, go 3 miles W on CSAH 30 then 1 mile S on TWP RD. Parking points on file: 1.
Do deer from Atherton WMA need CWD testing?
Its DPA (269) is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
Atherton WMA: what to double-check first
Seasons, closures and notices on Atherton 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); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); born1945 (CC BY 2.0).