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WMA in Hubbard County
Hunting Crow Wing Chain Wildlife Management Area, Minnesota public land
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this wildlife management area in Hubbard County and 1 neighbor, 3,332 acres.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Crow Wing Chain Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Crow Wing Chain Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 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.
Crow Wing Chain WMA at a glance for hunters
You get 3,332 acres at Crow Wing Chain WMA, which lies in Hubbard and Wadena counties. By size it ranks 1st of the 6 wildlife management areas we list in Hubbard County. DPA 246 sets the deer limit here: either-sex this year.
The managing office is Park Rapids (DNR Wildlife), parkrapids.wildlife@state.mn.us. DNR lists Pittman-Robertson as the federal aid source for Crow Wing Chain WMA.
What the DNR page says about it: The land was donated with the stipulation that the red and white pines wouldn't be harvested. Major management emphasis includes forest and brushland regeneration and wetland habitat management and enhancement for waterfowl nesting and food production. John Brown acquired 2770 acres in the 1960s, which were donated to The Nature Conservancy in 1976, and then given to the State of MN.
Listed game: deer, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, waterfowl.
- White-tailed Deer
- Black Bear
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ruffed Grouse
- American Woodcock
- Ducks
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Crow Wing Chain Wildlife Management Area
What is allowed on Crow Wing Chain WMA
Short version of the rules that apply on Crow Wing Chain WMA, taken from the managing agency.
| What | Rule here |
|---|---|
| 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.
Deer on Crow Wing Chain WMA in 2026-27
Deer on Crow Wing Chain WMA fall under DPA 246: either-sex, 200 series. No lottery in DPA 246: either sex on the regular license.
| Deer window | From | To | Open now? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
CWD testing in DPA 246: optional. DPA 246 spans 802 square miles. DPA 246 reaches Cass, Wadena, Hubbard and Todd counties.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Crow Wing Chain WMA hunting calendar 2026-27
Crow Wing Chain WMA season dates for 2026-27, picked by its game species list and its deer permit area.
| Species | Season | Applies | Opens | Closes | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 246 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 246 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 246 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Quota areas | Quota areas 27, 45, 46, 47 | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| 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 | |
| Black bear | No-quota area | No Quota Area | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 |
Furbearer rows list both zones: the line follows I-94 and US 10, so check which side of it you hunt.
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026. All Minnesota seasons.
Crow Wing Chain WMA: access points
8 parking points and the route text DNR posts for Crow Wing Chain WMA.
| Subunit | Acres | Nearest town | Hunting | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crow Wing Chain WMA | 3,332 | Hubbard | Open | 8 | DNR |
- Crow Wing Chain WMA: From Hubbard, go east 8 miles on MN Highway 87. There are 7 parking areas located along the border of the WMA. An extensive system of hunter walking trails and several field roads provide good access. There are two water accesses, 1 on Palmer Lake and 1 on the Crow Wing River near the center of the unit. Wheel chair access to the unit is moderate to difficult.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Public land within a drive of Crow Wing Chain WMA
When Crow Wing Chain WMA is crowded, First Crow Wing AMA sits 1.2 mi away to the east.
| Place | Type | Acres | DPA | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Crow Wing AMA | AMA | 275 | 246 | 1.2 mi | east |
| Fourth Crow Wing AMA | AMA | 17 | 259 | 3.7 mi | north |
| Huntersville State Forest | State forest | 14,994 | 241, 246 | 4.6 mi | south |
| Huntersville WMA | WMA | 521 | 246 | 4.7 mi | south |
| Big Stony Lake AMA | AMA | 57 | 241 | 5.2 mi | northwest |
| Badoura State Forest | State forest | 4,566 | 246, 259 | 5.8 mi | east |
| Fifth Crow Wing AMA | AMA | 73 | 241 | 6.2 mi | north |
| Sixth Crow Wing AMA | AMA | 6.5 | 241 | 6.3 mi | north |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Crow Wing Chain WMA nearest towns and help
Fuel and food: Hubbard lies 7.6 mi from Crow Wing Chain WMA. For more services, Park Rapids (4,381) is 11 mi out. DNR's nearest town for this unit: Hubbard. Nearest DNR desk: Park Rapids Area Wildlife Office, 12 mi.
| Town | County | People (2024) | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hubbard | Hubbard | – | 7.6 mi | west |
| Nevis | Hubbard | 385 | 9.2 mi | north |
| Park Rapids | Hubbard | 4,381 | 11 mi | northwest |
| Akeley | Hubbard | 418 | 13 mi | northeast |
| Menahga | Wadena | 1,366 | 13 mi | southwest |
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.
Crow Wing Chain WMA: deer taken in DPA 246
3,143 deer were registered in DPA 246 during 2025, 4.01 per square mile of the unit.
| Year | Adult bucks | Other deer | DPA harvest | Per square mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,330 | 813 | 3,143 | 4.01 |
| 2024 | 2,044 | 580 | 2,624 | 3.35 |
| 2023 | 1,621 | 773 | 2,394 | 3.05 |
| 2022 | 1,523 | 1,399 | 2,922 | 3.73 |
| 2021 | 2,013 | 1,597 | 3,610 | 4.60 |
| 2020 | 1,825 | 1,706 | 3,531 | 4.50 |
| 2019 | 1,824 | 1,763 | 3,587 | 4.58 |
| 2018 | 1,936 | 1,996 | 3,932 | 4.68 |
| 2017 | 2,293 | 2,593 | 4,886 | 5.82 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Crow Wing Chain WMA and the rest of Hubbard County
Hubbard County has 30 public hunting areas on file, Crow Wing Chain WMA among them. Hubbard County is under the deer feeding and attractant ban. Hubbard County bear hunting runs through quota area 46, 45 and 47, 46 (950 permits), 45 (700 permits) and 47 (40 permits). The county sits in turkey permit area 507 and 508. Nearest DNR area wildlife office to the county centre: Park Rapids Area Wildlife Office, (218) 732-8452 ext. 235. Not every public place in Hubbard County is open: Bungoshine Creek Aquatic Management Area is closed to hunting.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
When shooting starts and stops at Crow Wing Chain WMA
Sun times computed for Crow Wing Chain WMA itself, since the 2026 booklet prints no tables.
| Date | Why | Sunrise | Sunset | Legal from | Big game to | Waterfowl to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Archery and grouse opener | 7:01 a.m. | 7:26 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. | 7:56 p.m. | 7:26 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:10 a.m. | 7:12 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. | 7:42 p.m. | 7:12 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:28 a.m. | 6:44 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. | 7:14 p.m. | 6:44 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:09 a.m. | 4:57 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. | 5:27 p.m. | 4:57 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:40 a.m. | 4:36 p.m. | 7:10 a.m. | 5:06 p.m. | 4:36 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:04 a.m. | 4:39 p.m. | 7:34 a.m. | 5:09 p.m. | 4:39 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:35 a.m. | 8:04 p.m. | 6:05 a.m. | 8:34 p.m. | 8:04 p.m. |
Pheasant hours start at 9 a.m.
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.
Ranges a Crow Wing Chain Wildlife Management Area hunter can reach
From Crow Wing Chain Wildlife Management Area, the nearest listed range is Paul Bunyan Archery at 13 miles; public ranges on file are over 60 miles away. Plinking on the property is not allowed.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026; target shooting rule from the DNR WMA rules.
Crow Wing Chain WMA region in a few frames
Hunter questions about Crow Wing Chain WMA, short answers
What deer permit area is Crow Wing Chain WMA in?
The record puts it in DPA 246: either-sex. Its firearms season: Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Crow Wing Chain WMA acreage: how much ground is it?
It runs to 3,332 acres.
How do you get to Crow Wing Chain WMA?
From Hubbard, go east 8 miles on MN Highway 87. There are 7 parking areas located along the border of the WMA. 8 parking spots on the DNR map.
What game species does Crow Wing Chain WMA list?
The agency names deer, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock and waterfowl for Crow Wing Chain WMA.
Crow Wing Chain WMA and CWD: what applies?
For CWD, DPA 246 is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
Crow Wing Chain WMA: who is the land manager?
Questions about Crow Wing Chain WMA go to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at its Park Rapids office.
Crow Wing Chain WMA neighbors: what public land is nearby?
Short-drive options from the map: First Crow Wing AMA (1.2 mi), Fourth Crow Wing AMA (3.7 mi) and Huntersville State Forest (4.6 mi).
On the deer opener, when can you shoot at Crow Wing Chain WMA?
Deer shooting on Nov. 7 opens at 6:39 a.m. and ends at 5:27 p.m. at the Crow Wing Chain WMA point.
Can hunters set up a tent camp on Crow Wing Chain WMA?
Only at designated sites or by permit.
Can blinds stay up overnight at Crow Wing Chain WMA?
Only for the day: WMA rules make you remove portable stands and blinds daily, outside the northwest Nov. 1-Dec. 31 exception.
Does Crow Wing Chain WMA allow public hunting?
It is open: DNR lists every subunit of Crow Wing Chain WMA with an open or partial hunting status.
Other photos on this page: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); USFWS Midwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0).