Home › Minnesota › Public land › Barnesville WMA
WMA · 2026-27
Barnesville Wildlife Management Area hunting guide and rules
Everything we could verify about this wildlife management area in Clay County.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Barnesville Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Barnesville Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.4 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.
Barnesville WMA: acres, owner and deer area
Barnesville WMA spreads over 1,630 acres of Clay County. Of 19 wildlife management areas in Clay County, Barnesville WMA is number 1 by acreage. Hunters on Barnesville WMA follow DPA 269, which DNR made either-sex for 2026.
The DNR Detroit Lakes area wildlife office manages it (detroitlakes.wildlife@state.mn.us). The Barnesville WMA record names Pittman-Robertson federal aid.
From the DNR unit description: Relatively larger WMA with excellent deer hunting opportunities, as well as upland birds and waterfowl.
Game species: deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey, mourning dove.
- White-tailed Deer
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ruffed Grouse
- American Woodcock
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- Ducks
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Barnesville Wildlife Management Area
Parking lots and routes for Barnesville WMA
Barnesville WMA has 1 DNR parking point; directions below are the DNR route text.
| Subunit | Acres | Nearest town | Hunting | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnesville WMA | 1,630 | Barnesville | Open | 1 | DNR |
- Barnesville WMA: From Barnesville, go 4 miles E on SH 34 then 3 1/2 miles N on CSAH 31 and 6. Access and parking area off of 250th St. S on east side of the unit.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Map: Barnesville WMA and its neighbors
8 public areas lie within 45 miles of Barnesville WMA, adding 1,676 acres; Sieh WPA is closest.
| Public land | Type | Acres | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sieh WPA | WPA | 165 | 269 | 1.2 mi | east |
| Hay Creek WMA | WMA | 40 | 269 | 3.2 mi | northwest |
| Rollag WPA | WPA | 80 | 239, 269 | 3.4 mi | northeast |
| Haugtvedt WPA | WPA | 731 | 239 | 3.7 mi | southeast |
| Janssen WMA | WMA | 319 | 269 | 3.8 mi | northwest |
| McDonald WPA | WPA | 40 | 269 | 3.9 mi | northwest |
| Skree WMA | WMA | 165 | 269 | 4.2 mi | north |
| Ness WPA | WPA | 135 | 239, 257 | 4.4 mi | southeast |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Barnesville WMA: the use rules
These are the use rules the agency lists for Barnesville WMA; posted signs on site still govern.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| 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.
When you can hunt Barnesville WMA
Every dated hunting window for Barnesville WMA: 21 species, 44 rows.
| Game | Segment | Where | Starts | Ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| Woodcock | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Nov 2, 2026 | |
| 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 |
Pheasant shooting starts at 9 a.m.; ducks, geese and small game stop at sunset.
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026. All Minnesota seasons.
Barnesville WMA deer calendar and limits
DPA 269 (200 series) is either-sex in 2026. Either-sex rules let you take a doe in DPA 269 without a permit.
| Season | Begins | Through | Today |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Testing for CWD is optional in DPA 269. Area of DPA 269: 652 sq mi. Counties in DPA 269: Clay and Wilkin.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
How many deer DPA 269 gives up around Barnesville WMA
DNR reports harvest by deer permit area, not by WMA or county; DPA 269 registered 464 deer in 2025, 11% up on 2024.
| Year | Adult bucks | Other deer | Total | 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.
Barnesville WMA: towns, DNR office and shops
Barnesville WMA is 6.3 mi from Barnesville, the nearest community. Directions on the DNR page begin at Barnesville. Detroit Lakes has the nearest DNR office to Barnesville WMA, 21 mi away.
| Nearest towns | County | Population | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnesville | Clay | 2,765 | 6.3 mi | southwest |
| Baker | Clay | – | 12 mi | west |
| Hawley | Clay | 2,274 | 13 mi | north |
| Pelican Rapids | Otter Tail | 2,594 | 13 mi | southeast |
| Rothsay | Wilkin | 487 | 15 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.
County rules that reach Barnesville WMA
Our Clay County list runs to 82 public areas, including Barnesville WMA. Deer feeding and attractants are banned in Clay County. Clay County keeps a shotgun-only ordinance (partial shotgun-only ordinance) after the 2025 repeal of the state shotgun zone. No bear lottery in Clay County: it is no-quota ground. Turkey permit area here: 509 and 506. The county's nearest wildlife office is Detroit Lakes Area Wildlife Office in Detroit Lakes. Clay County also has 4 closed places, Beva Paulson Memorial Hardwood Forest Scientific and Natural Area among them.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Shooting lines in reach of Barnesville Wildlife Management Area
Pelican River Gun Club sits 14 miles from Barnesville Wildlife Management Area, closer than any public range on file. Target shooting is off limits here.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026; target shooting rule from the DNR WMA rules.
Barnesville WMA country, seen through a lens
Barnesville WMA: sunrise, sunset and legal hours
These Barnesville WMA hours use the NOAA solar formula for the unit's coordinates.
| When | Event | Rise | Set | Opens | Deer, bear end | Birds end |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | 7:17 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. | 7:47 p.m. | 7:17 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:34 a.m. | 6:50 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. | 7:20 p.m. | 6:50 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:15 a.m. | 5:03 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. | 5:33 p.m. | 5:03 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:45 a.m. | 4:42 p.m. | 7:15 a.m. | 5:12 p.m. | 4:42 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:10 a.m. | 4:46 p.m. | 7:40 a.m. | 5:16 p.m. | 4:46 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:41 a.m. | 8:10 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. | 8:40 p.m. | 8:10 p.m. |
Clock times include Daylight Saving Time until Nov. 1.
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.
Barnesville WMA: what hunters usually ask
Barnesville WMA: which DPA sets the deer rules?
DPA 269, either-sex for 2026. The rifle and shotgun season goes Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
What is there to hunt on Barnesville WMA?
On the Barnesville WMA record the game list reads deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey and mourning dove.
Where do you park at Barnesville WMA?
From Barnesville, go 4 miles E on SH 34 then 3 1/2 miles N on CSAH 31 and 6. DNR maps 1 parking point.
Who should I contact about Barnesville WMA?
Barnesville WMA belongs to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; the Detroit Lakes office looks after it.
Is Barnesville WMA inside a CWD zone?
Barnesville WMA sits in DPA 269, which is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
What time can you shoot deer at Barnesville WMA on Nov. 7?
Nov. 7: 6:45 a.m. to 5:33 p.m. for deer, sunrise 7:15 a.m..
What other public tracts sit near Barnesville WMA?
Barnesville WMA neighbors on our list: Sieh WPA (1.2 mi), Hay Creek WMA (3.2 mi) and Rollag WPA (3.4 mi).
Barnesville WMA: what are the stand and blind rules?
Take it down each evening. Barnesville WMA follows the WMA rule on daily removal of stands, blinds and other gear.
Are there campsites on Barnesville WMA?
WMA rules allow camping only in designated areas or with a permit.
Is Barnesville WMA public ground you can hunt?
Yes. A Minnesota license for the game you hunt is all you need on Barnesville WMA; WMA rules cover vehicles, stands and camping.
What size is the Barnesville WMA unit?
Agency maps put it at 1,630 acres.
Barnesville WMA trip checklist from this page
No paper tags in Minnesota: validate the electronic license where the animal falls, then register it on time.
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 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); Russ (CC BY 2.0).