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Minnesota WMA
Camp Kerk Wildlife Management Area: seasons, rules and access
1,110 acres of wildlife management area ground in Swift County, deer permit area 277.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Camp Kerk Wildlife Management Area
Camp Kerk WMA on paper: the record in brief
Camp Kerk WMA covers 1,110 acres in Swift County. Among Swift County’s 17 wildlife management areas, it sits 3rd for acres. The 2026 deer designation for DPA 277 is 3-deer limit.
Management sits with the Appleton area wildlife staff, reachable at appleton.wildlife@state.mn.us. Federal aid on file for Camp Kerk WMA: Pittman-Robertson.
Hunted here: deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl.
- 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 Camp Kerk Wildlife Management Area
Getting into Camp Kerk WMA
Directions and parking for Camp Kerk WMA as the DNR detail pages give them (2 parking points mapped).
| Piece | Acres | Town | Status | Lots | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Unit | 1,110 | Murdock | Open | 2 | DNR |
- Main Unit: From Murdock, go 9 miles N on CSAH 33.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Use rules to read before hunting Camp Kerk WMA
Camp Kerk 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.
Camp Kerk WMA deer rules: DPA 277
DPA 277 is a 200-series area set to 3-deer limit for 2026. The 3-deer limit in DPA 277 is reached with bonus permits on top of the regular license.
| Deer season | Opening | Closing | Right now |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 |
Surveillance block: bring adult deer taken Nov. 7-8 for sampling. At 1,147 square miles, DPA 277 is the unit deer rules follow. DPA 277 overlaps Kandiyohi, Meeker, Pope, Swift and Stearns.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Camp Kerk WMA dates, species by species
Season rows matched to Camp Kerk 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 277 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Early antlerless | DPA 277 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 277 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 277 | 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 | |
| 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 |
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 Camp Kerk WMA
In 2025 hunters registered 4,575 deer across DPA 277 (4.32 per square mile); the table runs back to 2017.
| Season | Adult males | Antlerless and fawns | DPA total | Deer per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,281 | 2,294 | 4,575 | 4.32 |
| 2024 | 2,360 | 1,941 | 4,301 | 4.07 |
| 2023 | 1,905 | 2,108 | 4,013 | 3.79 |
| 2022 | 2,085 | 2,690 | 4,775 | 4.51 |
| 2021 | 2,325 | 2,759 | 5,084 | 4.81 |
| 2020 | 2,051 | 2,129 | 4,180 | 5.15 |
| 2019 | 1,873 | 1,220 | 3,093 | 3.81 |
| 2018 | 1,668 | 1,317 | 2,985 | 3.68 |
| 2017 | 1,630 | 1,356 | 2,986 | 3.68 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Camp Kerk WMA and the public ground around it
Straight-line distances run from the Camp Kerk WMA map point; Welsh WPA (2.8 mi, southwest) leads the list.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | DPA | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welsh WPA | WPA | 900 | 277 | 2.8 mi | southwest |
| Rice WPA | WPA | 64 | 277 | 2.9 mi | east |
| Lake Simon WPA | WPA | 357 | 277 | 3.6 mi | northeast |
| Big Slough WPA | WPA | 427 | 277 | 3.7 mi | northeast |
| Swift Falls WPA | WPA | 121 | 277 | 4.0 mi | northwest |
| Monson WMA | WMA | 209 | 277 | 4.2 mi | southeast |
| Hollerberg Lake WMA | WMA | 160 | 282 | 4.4 mi | south |
| Roderick WPA | WPA | 41 | 277 | 4.5 mi | southeast |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Swift County around Camp Kerk WMA
In Swift County there are 52 records like Camp Kerk WMA to choose from. For bear, Swift County is no-quota. Turkey permit area 506 and 505 covers the county. Appleton Area Wildlife Office (Watson) is the closest area wildlife office to the county centre.
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 Camp Kerk WMA
Closest town: Sunburg, 6.7 mi in a straight line from Camp Kerk WMA. Most services: Benson, population 3,414. The unit page lists Murdock as nearest town. The nearest DNR office is New London Area Wildlife Office in New London, 17 mi away.
| Town | County | 2024 population | Away | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunburg | Kandiyohi | 95 | 6.7 mi | east |
| De Graff | Swift | 108 | 8.2 mi | southwest |
| Murdock | Swift | 298 | 9.5 mi | south |
| Benson | Swift | 3,414 | 12 mi | west |
| Kerkhoven | Swift | 783 | 12 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.
Before Camp Kerk Wildlife Management Area: where to check a zero
Hunters on Camp Kerk Wildlife Management Area can sight in at Charlies Hunting Club (19 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 Camp Kerk WMA
Shooting starts 30 minutes before sunrise at Camp Kerk 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 | 7:03 a.m. | 7:27 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. | 7:57 p.m. | 7:27 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:12 a.m. | 7:14 p.m. | 6:42 a.m. | 7:44 p.m. | 7:14 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:29 a.m. | 6:47 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. | 7:17 p.m. | 6:47 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:08 a.m. | 5:03 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. | 5:33 p.m. | 5:03 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:37 a.m. | 4:43 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. | 5:13 p.m. | 4:43 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:01 a.m. | 4:47 p.m. | 7:31 a.m. | 5:17 p.m. | 4:47 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:40 a.m. | 8:04 p.m. | 6:10 a.m. | 8:34 p.m. | 8:04 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 Camp Kerk WMA
Quick answers before you hunt Camp Kerk WMA
When is legal light on Camp Kerk WMA for the opener?
For the opener, 6:38 a.m. to 5:33 p.m.; birds stop at 5:03 p.m..
Do deer from Camp Kerk WMA need CWD testing?
Its DPA (277) is in the 2026 surveillance block (mandatory sampling Nov. 7-8).
Can decoys or gear stay on Camp Kerk WMA overnight?
Stands are portable-only and leave with you; the one exception is the northwest overnight window from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31.
Where can I hunt public land close to Camp Kerk WMA?
The nearest public units are Welsh WPA (2.8 mi), Rice WPA (2.9 mi) and Lake Simon WPA (3.6 mi).
May the public hunt Camp Kerk WMA?
Yes. The DNR WMA rules allow hunting and trapping in season on Camp Kerk WMA.
Is camping at Camp Kerk WMA allowed under WMA rules?
Camping is limited to designated areas or a DNR permit.
What are the 2026 deer rules on Camp Kerk WMA?
It is in deer permit area 277 (3-deer limit). Guns: Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Camp Kerk WMA size: how much huntable ground?
Camp Kerk WMA covers 1,110 acres.
What route leads to Camp Kerk WMA?
From Murdock, go 9 miles N on CSAH 33. Parking points on file: 2.
What can you hunt on Camp Kerk WMA?
Expect deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant and waterfowl on Camp Kerk WMA, per the record.
Which office should I call about Camp Kerk WMA?
Camp Kerk WMA is managed by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, from its Appleton office.
Camp Kerk WMA: what to double-check first
Seasons, closures and notices on Camp Kerk 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 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).