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Burntside State Forest hunting, 2026-27
Seasons, access rules and the nearest towns for this state forest in St. Louis County.
Photo: Abnormally Weird (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Burntside State Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Burntside State Forest
- Parking areaParking · 5.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Rice Bay Boat AccessBoat ramp · 5.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Burntside Lake (S) Public Water Access SiteBoat ramp · 5.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 6.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 7.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Ccounty Road 404 Public Water Access SiteBoat ramp · 7.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 7.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 7.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 7.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 7.4 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.
What the file says about Burntside State Forest
Burntside State Forest adds 24,902 acres of public ground to St. Louis County. Line up the 10 state forests in St. Louis County by acres and Burntside State Forest comes 7th. Its deer permit area is 118; the 2026 designation there is bucks only.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources manages it. Statutory acres: 74,817; DNR-administered acres: 24,902. The legislature set it up in 1963.
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Burntside State Forest
Burntside State Forest access rules
The rows below restate the access rules on the agency record for Burntside State Forest.
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| Hunting, trapping | Open in season |
| Game refuges inside | Closed unless listed |
| Near campgrounds, lots | Cased within 200 ft |
| Stands | Portable preferred |
| Shooting lanes | No cutting |
| Private inholdings | Permission needed |
| Target shooting | Unless posted closed |
| Forest roads | OHVs unless posted |
Sources: record; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Burntside State Forest and deer permit area 118
The 2026 designation for DPA 118 is bucks only; firearms dates follow the 100-series window. No antlerless deer in DPA 118 this season (bucks only).
| Hunt | First day | Last day | Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Youth deer | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Firearms, 100 series | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 |
CWD sampling in DPA 118 is voluntary. The DPA covers 1,445 square miles. DPA 118 counties: St. Louis and Lake.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Seasons open on Burntside State Forest
Dated seasons that apply on Burntside State Forest (47 rows), with today's status in the last column.
| Quarry | Season | Where | Opening | Closing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 118 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 118 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 100 series | DPA 118 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Quota areas | Quota areas 22, 24, 25, 31, 51, 53 | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 18, 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 | |
| Rails | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Dec 16, 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 |
Waterfowl rows show the North, Central and South zones because DNR draws those lines on highways (MN 210/23/39, US 212/I-494/I-94), not by unit; check the DNR map.
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026. All Minnesota seasons.
DPA 118 harvest, the area around Burntside State Forest
Harvest numbers below are DPA 118 totals (408 in 2025), the closest DNR figure for Burntside State Forest.
| Season | Bucks (adult) | Others | Registered | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 403 | 5 | 408 | 0.33 |
| 2024 | 397 | 6 | 403 | 0.33 |
| 2023 | 364 | 2 | 366 | 0.30 |
| 2022 | 382 | 6 | 388 | 0.32 |
| 2021 | 494 | 7 | 501 | 0.41 |
| 2020 | 520 | 4 | 524 | 0.43 |
| 2019 | 649 | 98 | 747 | 0.61 |
| 2018 | 701 | 162 | 863 | 0.71 |
| 2017 | 605 | 591 | 1,196 | 0.98 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Burntside State Forest on the map with nearby land
Big pins mark Burntside State Forest; Wolf Lake AMA is the nearest neighbor at 6.6 mi.
| Neighbor | Category | Acreage | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wolf Lake AMA | AMA | 142 | 118 | 6.6 mi | southeast |
| Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park, 4,550 ac | State park | 4,550 | 119, 130 | 8.7 mi | southwest |
| Pine Island WMA | WMA | 35 | 177 | 8.8 mi | southwest |
| Bear Island State Forest | State forest | 26,130 | 117, 118 | 12 mi | south |
| Lake Jeanette State Forest | State forest | 1,357 | 118 | 14 mi | north |
| Old Koschak Farm WMA | WMA | 89 | 118 | 14 mi | east |
| Pike Bay WMA | WMA | 44 | 177 | 15 mi | southwest |
| Lost Lake Peatland SNA | SNA | 3,178 | 177 | 16 mi | southwest |
Points: DNR State Forest Management Units layer (DNR-administered land) (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
What St. Louis County adds to a Burntside State Forest trip
Burntside State Forest is one of 59 public places we list in St. Louis County. Quota bear area 24, 25 and 31 overlaps the county (24 (100 permits), 25 (375 permits) and 31 (400 permits)). Turkey: permit area 508. Area wildlife office: Tower Area Wildlife Office ((218) 300-7860). Do not mistake Burntside State Forest for closed St. Louis County ground such as Amity Creek Aquatic Management Area and Angora Creek Aquatic Management Area.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Supplies and help close to Burntside State Forest
From Burntside State Forest the nearest town is Soudan (10 mi). Ely, with 3,214 residents, is the biggest town on the list. DNR staff closest to Burntside State Forest work out of Tower (12 mi).
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soudan | St. Louis | – | 10 mi | southwest |
| Tower | St. Louis | 421 | 11 mi | southwest |
| Ely | St. Louis | 3,214 | 13 mi | east |
| Winton | St. Louis | 163 | 15 mi | east |
| Babbitt | St. Louis | 1,370 | 23 mi | southeast |
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.
Closest Minnesota ranges to Burntside State Forest
Babbitt Conservation Club, 18 miles away, is the nearest range to Burntside State Forest; check its access rule before going.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026.
Burntside State Forest legal light on key dates
Legal light at Burntside State Forest: half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset for deer and bear, and to sunset for turkey, waterfowl and small game.
| Day | Season point | Sun up | Sun down | Shooting opens | Deer close | Bird close |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Archery and grouse opener | 6:49 a.m. | 7:15 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. | 7:45 p.m. | 7:15 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 6:59 a.m. | 7:01 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. | 7:31 p.m. | 7:01 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:19 a.m. | 6:32 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. | 7:02 p.m. | 6:32 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:01 a.m. | 4:43 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. | 5:13 p.m. | 4:43 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:33 a.m. | 4:21 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. | 4:51 p.m. | 4:21 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:58 a.m. | 4:24 p.m. | 7:28 a.m. | 4:54 p.m. | 4:24 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:23 a.m. | 7:55 p.m. | 5:53 a.m. | 8:25 p.m. | 7:55 p.m. |
Raccoon and fox may be hunted at night under DNR rules.
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.
Photos to set the scene for Burntside State Forest
Burntside State Forest questions answered from its record
If Burntside State Forest is full, where is the next public land?
Public ground nearest by straight line: Wolf Lake AMA (6.6 mi), Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park (8.7 mi) and Pine Island WMA (8.8 mi).
Are tree stands allowed on Burntside State Forest, and for how long?
You may, but any stand left on Burntside State Forest becomes available to other hunters, and cutting lanes is not allowed.
Is hunting legal on Burntside State Forest in 2026-27?
Yes, under the rules in the table above and the state seasons.
How many acres of hunting does Burntside State Forest offer?
24,902 acres.
What DPA is Burntside State Forest, and what is its designation?
DPA 118 (100 series, bucks only). Firearms deer runs Nov 7 to Nov 22, 2026 there.
What animals can be hunted at Burntside State Forest?
All open seasons, as the agency lists no species for Burntside State Forest.
How do hunters reach Burntside State Forest?
Head for Soudan, 10 mi off, and use the map.
Who holds title to Burntside State Forest?
Land manager for Burntside State Forest: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Does chronic wasting disease testing apply on Burntside State Forest?
DPA 118 is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
What are the legal shooting hours at Burntside State Forest?
On the Nov. 7 firearms opener, legal deer hours at Burntside State Forest run 6:31 a.m. to 5:13 p.m..
Last checks before driving to Burntside State Forest
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted refuge areas on Burntside State Forest.
Sources: source · 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); Sharon Mollerus (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).