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Buffalo Lake Wildlife Management Area hunting, season by season
567 acres of public land open to hunters in Murray County, with DPA 295 deer dates.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Buffalo Lake Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Buffalo Lake Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.8 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.
Buffalo Lake WMA in brief, from the agency file
567 acres of Murray County belong to Buffalo Lake WMA. Size rank in Murray County: 8th of 64 wildlife management areas. DNR splits it into 2 subunits: South East Unit (117 ac) and North West Unit (451 ac).
For deer it falls in DPA 295, set at either-sex for 2026. Questions go to the Slayton-Talcot Lake DNR wildlife office at talcotlake.wildlife@state.mn.us.
Game listed: 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 Buffalo Lake Wildlife Management Area
Subunits and parking at Buffalo Lake WMA
Each subunit of Buffalo Lake WMA has its own DNR page; the map below pins 3 parking spots.
- South East Unit: From Dovray, 1 mile west on Highway 30 then 1.5 miles north on township road
- North West Unit: From Currie, go 4 miles east on Highway 30 and co rd 11, then 1 mile north on township rd
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Buffalo Lake WMA pinned among nearby tracts
Buffalo Lake WPA lies 0.9 mi east of Buffalo Lake WMA, the nearest of 8 public areas within 45 miles.
| Area | Type | Acres | DPA | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Lake WPA | WPA | 80 | 295 | 0.9 mi | east |
| Dovray WMA | WMA | 999 | 295 | 1.4 mi | south |
| Slaughter Slough WPA | WPA | 641 | 295 | 1.8 mi | west |
| Dovray WPA | WPA | 79 | 295 | 1.8 mi | southeast |
| Buttermilk Run WMA | WMA | 56 | 295 | 3.4 mi | northwest |
| Rupp WMA | WMA | 83 | 295 | 3.4 mi | west |
| Buttermilk Run AMA | AMA | 28 | 295 | 4.0 mi | northwest |
| Sweetman WMA | WMA | 35 | 295 | 4.5 mi | southwest |
Points: DNR WMA boundary layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Rules for hunting Buffalo Lake WMA
Site rules for Buffalo Lake WMA, condensed from the record.
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| 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.
Buffalo Lake WMA season dates
This table covers Buffalo Lake WMA only: deer rows follow its DPA, the rest come from its game species list.
| Species | Type | Zone or DPA | Begins | Through | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 295 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 295 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 295 | 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 |
Wear blaze orange or pink in the firearms deer season; waterfowl hunters on water are exempt under DNR rules.
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026. All Minnesota seasons.
Deer seasons on Buffalo Lake WMA
200-series DPA 295 carries the either-sex designation this year. One deer of either sex per license in DPA 295.
| Season | Starts | Ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Adult deer shot Nov. 7-8 here must be sampled. Size of DPA 295: 977 square miles. Murray, Cottonwood, Redwood and Lyon share DPA 295.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Deer harvest around Buffalo Lake WMA (DPA 295)
The whole of DPA 295 gave up 904 deer in 2025; the DNR publishes no figure for Buffalo Lake WMA itself.
| Year | Adult male | Rest | Harvest | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 650 | 254 | 904 | 0.94 |
| 2024 | 594 | 241 | 835 | 0.87 |
| 2023 | 569 | 258 | 827 | 0.86 |
| 2022 | 595 | 261 | 856 | 0.89 |
| 2021 | 605 | 252 | 857 | 0.89 |
| 2020 | 621 | 253 | 874 | 1.04 |
| 2019 | 591 | 214 | 805 | 0.96 |
| 2018 | 516 | 244 | 760 | 0.91 |
| 2017 | 518 | 233 | 751 | 0.90 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Buffalo Lake WMA nearby towns
Dovray is the closest town to Buffalo Lake WMA, about 2.7 mi away. The largest nearby is Westbrook (734 people). The DNR detail page starts its directions from Dovray. For questions, the Dundee DNR office is 15 mi from Buffalo Lake WMA.
| Town | County | Pop. 2024 | Miles off | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dovray | Murray | 53 | 2.7 mi | southeast |
| Currie | Murray | 214 | 4.1 mi | west |
| The Lakes | Murray | – | 4.4 mi | west |
| Westbrook | Cottonwood | 734 | 7.9 mi | east |
| Avoca | Murray | 108 | 9.7 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.
Buffalo Lake WMA: Murray County facts
Counting Buffalo Lake WMA, Murray County has 81 listed public areas. The no-quota bear area covers Murray County. Murray County turkey hunters declare area 504. County questions go to Slayton-Talcot Lake Area Wildlife Office, Dundee. 3 places in Murray County are closed to hunting, such as Lundblad Prairie Scientific and Natural Area.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Range time on the drive to Buffalo Lake Wildlife Management Area
Three ranges near Buffalo Lake Wildlife Management Area follow, starting with Sun Valley Club at 10 miles. No target practice on the property, per its rules.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026; target shooting rule from the DNR WMA rules.
Buffalo Lake Wildlife Management Area and nearby events
On the ground itself or close by: 1 upcoming event, covering state park youth deer hunt.
Next on the calendar
| When | Listing | Distance | Venue | Tickets or seats | Read at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 21–22, 2026 | Lake Shetek State Park Special Youth Deer Hunt 2026, a state park youth deer hunt | 5 | Event details | Source |
A look at the landscape around Buffalo Lake WMA
Buffalo Lake WMA shooting hours on key dates
Times are worked out for the Buffalo Lake WMA map point on Central Time; big game ends half an hour after sunset, birds at sunset.
| Date | Moment | Sunrise | Sunset | Open | Big game close | Birds close |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Archery and grouse opener | 7:05 a.m. | 7:28 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. | 7:58 p.m. | 7:28 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:13 a.m. | 7:15 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. | 7:45 p.m. | 7:15 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:29 a.m. | 6:49 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. | 7:19 p.m. | 6:49 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:06 a.m. | 5:06 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. | 5:36 p.m. | 5:06 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:33 a.m. | 4:48 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. | 5:18 p.m. | 4:48 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:57 a.m. | 4:53 p.m. | 7:27 a.m. | 5:23 p.m. | 4:53 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:42 a.m. | 8:03 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. | 8:33 p.m. | 8:03 p.m. |
Times are rounded to the minute.
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.
Straight answers on hunting Buffalo Lake WMA
Which deer permit area holds Buffalo Lake WMA?
Buffalo Lake WMA falls in DPA 295, either-sex. Expect the firearms season from Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Roughly how large is the Buffalo Lake WMA unit?
The mapped size is 567 acres in 2 subunits.
Where is the access for Buffalo Lake WMA?
From Dovray, 1 mile west on Highway 30 then 1.5 miles north on township road The map above shows 3 parking pins.
Which species does Buffalo Lake WMA hold?
Game on the agency list for Buffalo Lake WMA: deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl and wild turkey.
Is CWD sampling required at Buffalo Lake WMA?
DNR lists DPA 295 as in the 2026 surveillance block (mandatory sampling Nov. 7-8).
Who do I call about Buffalo Lake WMA?
Buffalo Lake WMA falls under Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Slayton-Talcot Lake office).
Which public ground lies closest to Buffalo Lake WMA?
Next-closest public land: Buffalo Lake WPA (0.9 mi), Dovray WMA (1.4 mi) and Slaughter Slough WPA (1.8 mi).
How early does shooting start at Buffalo Lake WMA on the opener?
Opening day of the firearms season: shooting from 6:36 a.m., done by 5:36 p.m..
Can I camp on Buffalo Lake WMA during the season?
Generally no: designated areas or a permit only.
Can I leave a stand on Buffalo Lake WMA overnight?
Daily removal applies on Buffalo Lake WMA, so plan on a climber or a hang-on you carry out.
Can you hunt on Buffalo Lake WMA this season?
Yes. Hunting and trapping are open on state WMAs during regular seasons unless DNR posts an exception, and Buffalo Lake WMA shows open hunting status.
Buffalo Lake WMA: three things to confirm first
Carry your license, validate a deer or turkey at the kill site and register it (48 hours for deer and bear, 24 for turkey).
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: beggs (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); Russ (CC BY 2.0).