Home › Minnesota › Public land › Bradshaw Lake WMA
WMA · 2026-27
Bradshaw Lake Wildlife Management Area hunting guide and rules
Everything we could verify about this wildlife management area in Scott County.
Photo: Joe Passe (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Bradshaw Lake Wildlife Management Area
Bradshaw Lake WMA: acres, owner and deer area
Bradshaw Lake WMA spreads over 789 acres of Scott County. Of 14 wildlife management areas in Scott County, Bradshaw Lake WMA is number 1 by acreage. Hunters on Bradshaw Lake WMA follow DPA 605, which DNR made 5-deer limit for 2026.
The DNR South Metro area wildlife office manages it (vermillionriver.wildlife@state.mn.us). The Bradshaw Lake WMA record names Pittman-Robertson federal aid.
From the DNR unit description: The purpose of this WMA is to preserve and enhance upland grass, wetland and Oak woodland habitat. This is the largest WMA in Scott County. It consists of 3 disjunct parcels that hopefully will be joined by future land acquisitions.
Game species: deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey.
- 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 Bradshaw Lake Wildlife Management Area
Parking lots and routes for Bradshaw Lake WMA
Bradshaw Lake WMA has 4 DNR parking points; directions below are the DNR route text.
| Subunit | Acres | Nearest town | Hunting | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bradshaw Lake WMA | 789 | New Market | Open | 4 | DNR |
- Bradshaw Lake WMA: 4 miles west of New Market on C.R. 2, then north one mile on C.R. 23, then west .75 miles on C.R. 56 to south parking lot. Wheelchair access is limited to gravel parking lots on the NE, E, S, and NW.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Map: Bradshaw Lake WMA and its neighbors
8 public areas lie within 45 miles of Bradshaw Lake WMA, adding 1,148 acres; St. Patrick's WMA is closest.
| Public land | Type | Acres | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Patrick's WMA | WMA | 87 | 605 | 1.9 mi | southwest |
| St. Catherine Lake AMA | AMA | 41 | 605 | 2.7 mi | northeast |
| Soberg WPA | WPA | 114 | 605 | 7.6 mi | east |
| Spartina WMA | WMA | 17 | 605 | 7.9 mi | east |
| Marsh WMA | WMA | 108 | 338 | 8.6 mi | west |
| Karnitz WMA | WMA | 185 | 338 | 9.7 mi | west |
| Esker WMA | WMA | 48 | 605 | 10 mi | southeast |
| Sanborn Lake WMA | WMA | 548 | 605 | 10 mi | southwest |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Bradshaw Lake WMA: the use rules
These are the use rules the agency lists for Bradshaw Lake 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 |
- There is an area, posted with signs, near the east parking lot off of Hwy 23 where shooting is prohibited. This area buffers along the neighborhood to the south of the field and the neighbor to the north. On the S. side, just west of the S. parking lot off of Hwy 56 there is an area that shooting is prohibited along the field’s western boundary near the neighbor’s house, this is also posted..
Sources: record, agency rules; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
When you can hunt Bradshaw Lake WMA
Every dated hunting window for Bradshaw Lake WMA: 20 species, 46 rows.
| Game | Segment | Where | Starts | Ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 605 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Early antlerless | DPA 605 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 605 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 605 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Late southeast | DPA 605 | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Deer | Late CWD hunt | DPA 605 | Dec 18, 2026 | Dec 20, 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 | |
| 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.
Bradshaw Lake WMA deer calendar and limits
DPA 605 (600 series) is 5-deer limit in 2026. Hunters may take up to 5 deer in DPA 605 across licenses and bonus permits; only one may be a buck in most DPAs.
| Season | Begins | Through | Today |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Late southeast firearms | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Late CWD hunt | Dec 18, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 |
The CWD management zone takes in DPA 605. DPA 605 gets the Dec. 18-20 late CWD season. Carcass disposal: rule in effect. Area of DPA 605: 1,229 sq mi. Counties in DPA 605: Dakota, Rice, Scott, Goodhue and Le Sueur.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
How many deer DPA 605 gives up around Bradshaw Lake WMA
DNR reports harvest by deer permit area, not by WMA or county; DPA 605 registered 3,115 deer in 2025, 10% up on 2024.
| Year | Adult bucks | Other deer | Total | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,495 | 1,620 | 3,115 | 2.61 |
| 2024 | 1,374 | 1,452 | 2,826 | 2.37 |
| 2023 | 1,279 | 1,542 | 2,821 | 2.37 |
| 2022 | 1,326 | 1,606 | 2,932 | 2.46 |
| 2021 | 1,269 | 1,528 | 2,797 | 2.35 |
| 2020 | 1,508 | 2,070 | 3,578 | 3.00 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Bradshaw Lake WMA: towns, DNR office and shops
Bradshaw Lake WMA is 6.7 mi from New Prague, the nearest community. Prior Lake is the bigger town nearby at 28,018 people. Directions on the DNR page begin at New Market. Rosemount has the nearest DNR office to Bradshaw Lake WMA, 21 mi away.
| Nearest towns | County | Population | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Prague | Scott | 8,235 | 6.7 mi | southwest |
| Credit River | Scott | 5,589 | 6.9 mi | northeast |
| Elko New Market | Scott | 5,193 | 6.9 mi | east |
| Prior Lake | Scott | 28,018 | 8.5 mi | north |
| Lonsdale | Rice | 5,066 | 8.9 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 Bradshaw Lake WMA
Our Scott County list runs to 19 public areas, including Bradshaw Lake WMA. Deer feeding and attractants are banned in Scott County. No bear lottery in Scott County: it is no-quota ground. Turkey permit area here: 505 and 510. The county's nearest wildlife office is Vermillion River Complex Area Wildlife Office in Rosemount. Scott County also has 2 closed places, Carls Lake Aquatic Management Area among them.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Public lanes and clubs for Bradshaw Lake Wildlife Management Area hunters
From Bradshaw Lake Wildlife Management Area, Archer Park – Archery Range is the nearest city, county or park district range (14 miles). Nearby sportsmen’s clubs fill the other cards. 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.
Scheduled close to Bradshaw Lake Wildlife Management Area
8 upcoming events here or nearby as of October 28, 2026.
Coming up
| Held on | Event | Mi | Where held | Link | Checked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 15, 2026 | Delia's Mexican Grill Gun Bingo, a DU gun or purse bingo | 10 | Delia's Mexican Grill (Jordan) | Buy tickets | Source |
| Nov 19, 2026 | Scott LeSueur Waterfowlers Annual Banquet, a club banquet | 7 | New Prague | Event details | Source |
| Nov 22, 2026 | Deer hunter Cleanup bingo for Boomsticks At Rail 19, a DU gun or purse bingo | 9 | Rail 19 (Lonsdale) | Buy tickets | Source |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Purse bingo with Next Chapter Winery!, a DU gun or purse bingo | 7 | Next Chapter Winery (New Prague) | Buy tickets | Source |
| Dec 19, 2026 | Purse and Yeti Bingo with Rail 19!, a DU gun or purse bingo | 9 | Rail 19 (Lonsdale) | Buy tickets | Source |
| Jan 15, 2027 | MDHA – MN River Valley Chapter’s Gun & Purse Blast, an MDHA gun raffle or bingo | 9 | Prior Lake VFW | Event details | Source |
| Mar 6, 2027 | Dakota Strutters Hunting Heritage Event NWTF Banquet, an NWTF chapter banquet | 9 | Prior Lake | Buy tickets | Source |
| Mar 13, 2027 | MDHA – MN River Valley Chapter 43rd Annual Banquet, an MDHA chapter banquet | 7 | New Prague | Event details | Source |
Bradshaw Lake WMA country, seen through a lens
Bradshaw Lake WMA: sunrise, sunset and legal hours
These Bradshaw Lake 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 | 6:56 a.m. | 7:20 p.m. | 6:26 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 | 7:21 a.m. | 6:40 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. | 7:10 p.m. | 6:40 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 6:59 a.m. | 4:57 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. | 5:27 p.m. | 4:57 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:27 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. | 5:08 p.m. | 4:38 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:50 a.m. | 4:42 p.m. | 7:20 a.m. | 5:12 p.m. | 4:42 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:33 a.m. | 7:56 p.m. | 6:03 a.m. | 8:26 p.m. | 7:56 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.
Bradshaw Lake WMA: what hunters usually ask
What other public tracts sit near Bradshaw Lake WMA?
Bradshaw Lake WMA neighbors on our list: St. Patrick's WMA (1.9 mi), St. Catherine Lake AMA (2.7 mi) and Soberg WPA (7.6 mi).
Bradshaw Lake WMA: what are the stand and blind rules?
Take it down each evening. Bradshaw Lake WMA follows the WMA rule on daily removal of stands, blinds and other gear.
Are there campsites on Bradshaw Lake WMA?
WMA rules allow camping only in designated areas or with a permit.
Is Bradshaw Lake WMA public ground you can hunt?
Yes. A Minnesota license for the game you hunt is all you need on Bradshaw Lake WMA; WMA rules cover vehicles, stands and camping.
What size is the Bradshaw Lake WMA unit?
Agency maps put it at 789 acres.
Bradshaw Lake WMA: which DPA sets the deer rules?
DPA 605, 5-deer limit for 2026. The rifle and shotgun season goes Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
What is there to hunt on Bradshaw Lake WMA?
On the Bradshaw Lake WMA record the game list reads deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl and wild turkey.
Where do you park at Bradshaw Lake WMA?
4 miles west of New Market on C.R. 2, then north one mile on C.R. 23, then west .75 miles on C.R. 56 to south parking lot. DNR maps 4 parking points.
Who should I contact about Bradshaw Lake WMA?
Bradshaw Lake WMA belongs to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; the South Metro office looks after it.
Is Bradshaw Lake WMA inside a CWD zone?
Bradshaw Lake WMA sits in DPA 605, which is in the CWD management zone.
What time can you shoot deer at Bradshaw Lake WMA on Nov. 7?
Nov. 7: 6:29 a.m. to 5:27 p.m. for deer, sunrise 6:59 a.m..
Bradshaw Lake 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: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); James St. John (CC BY 2.0).