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WMA · 2026-27
Dalbo Wildlife Management Area hunting guide and rules
Everything we could verify about this wildlife management area in Isanti County and 1 neighbor.
Photo: gutenfrog (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Dalbo Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Dalbo Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.5 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.
Dalbo WMA: acres, owner and deer area
Dalbo WMA spreads over 3,363 acres of Isanti and Kanabec counties. Of 14 wildlife management areas in Isanti County, Dalbo WMA is number 1 by acreage. Hunters on Dalbo WMA follow DPA 225, which DNR made 3-deer limit for 2026.
The DNR Cambridge area wildlife office manages it (cambridge.wildlife@state.mn.us). The Dalbo WMA record names Pittman-Robertson federal aid.
From the DNR unit description: This unit is basically a roadless area with parking lots strategically placed on the north and south boundaries.
Game species: deer, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey.
- White-tailed Deer
- Black Bear
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ruffed Grouse
- American Woodcock
- Ring-necked Pheasant
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Dalbo Wildlife Management Area
Parking lots and routes for Dalbo WMA
Dalbo WMA has 6 DNR parking points; directions below are the DNR route text.
| Subunit | Acres | Nearest town | Hunting | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Unit | 3,363 | Dalbo | Open | 6 | DNR |
- Main Unit: From Dalbo, go 2 1/2 miles N on SH 47 then 3 1/2 miles W on CSAH 16.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Map: Dalbo WMA and its neighbors
8 public areas lie within 45 miles of Dalbo WMA, adding 946 acres; Dobe WMA is closest.
| Public land | Type | Acres | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dobe WMA | WMA | 98 | 225 | 3.3 mi | south |
| North Stanchfield Lake AMA | AMA | 36 | 225 | 4.3 mi | south |
| Cranberry WMA | WMA | 317 | 225 | 5.4 mi | east |
| Stanchfield WMA | WMA | 38 | 225 | 7.7 mi | east |
| Bolger WMA | WMA | 41 | 225 | 8.3 mi | southwest |
| North Brook AMA | AMA | 76 | 225 | 8.8 mi | south |
| Tosher Creek WMA | WMA | 323 | 225 | 9.7 mi | northeast |
| Spectacle Lake AMA | AMA | 16 | 227 | 11 mi | south |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Dalbo WMA: the use rules
These are the use rules the agency lists for Dalbo 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 |
- Closed to Sharptail Grouse hunting. Be careful to not shoot a Sharptail when Pheasant or Ruffed Grouse hunting.
Sources: record, agency rules; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
When you can hunt Dalbo WMA
Every dated hunting window for Dalbo WMA: 21 species, 46 rows.
| Game | Segment | Where | Starts | Ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 225 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Early antlerless | DPA 225 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 225 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 225 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | No-quota area | No Quota Area | 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 | |
| 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 | Quota areas | Quota area 51 | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 |
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.
Dalbo WMA deer calendar and limits
DPA 225 (200 series) is 3-deer limit in 2026. Hunters may take up to 3 deer in DPA 225 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 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 |
Testing for CWD is optional in DPA 225. Area of DPA 225: 635 sq mi. Counties in DPA 225: Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs and Pine.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
How many deer DPA 225 gives up around Dalbo WMA
DNR reports harvest by deer permit area, not by WMA or county; DPA 225 registered 5,598 deer in 2025, 11% up on 2024.
| Year | Adult bucks | Other deer | Total | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,843 | 2,755 | 5,598 | 9.06 |
| 2024 | 2,633 | 2,405 | 5,038 | 8.15 |
| 2023 | 2,134 | 2,192 | 4,326 | 7.00 |
| 2022 | 2,116 | 2,280 | 4,396 | 7.11 |
| 2021 | 2,232 | 2,029 | 4,261 | 6.90 |
| 2020 | 2,313 | 2,675 | 4,988 | 8.07 |
| 2019 | 1,993 | 1,994 | 3,987 | 6.45 |
| 2018 | 1,854 | 1,917 | 3,771 | 6.10 |
| 2017 | 1,842 | 1,898 | 3,740 | 6.05 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Dalbo WMA: towns, DNR office and shops
Dalbo WMA is 6.3 mi from Bock, the nearest community. Milaca is the bigger town nearby at 3,060 people. Directions on the DNR page begin at Dalbo. Cambridge has the nearest DNR office to Dalbo WMA, 16 mi away.
| Nearest towns | County | Population | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bock | Mille Lacs | 80 | 6.3 mi | northwest |
| Ogilvie | Kanabec | 400 | 8.0 mi | north |
| Pease | Mille Lacs | 243 | 9.0 mi | west |
| Milaca | Mille Lacs | 3,060 | 9.5 mi | west |
| Foreston | Mille Lacs | 579 | 12 mi | west |
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 Dalbo WMA
Our Isanti County list runs to 17 public areas, including Dalbo WMA. No bear lottery in Isanti County: it is no-quota ground. Turkey permit area here: 510 and 508. The county's nearest wildlife office is Cambridge Area Wildlife Office in Cambridge. Isanti County also has 1 closed place, Twin Lakes Scientific and Natural 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 Dalbo Wildlife Management Area hunters
From Dalbo Wildlife Management Area, Elm Creek Park Reserve is the nearest city, county or park district range (40 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 Dalbo Wildlife Management Area
1 upcoming event here or nearby as of October 28, 2026.
Coming up
| Held on | Event | Mi | Where held | Link | Checked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 13, 2027 | Rum River Longbeards Hunting Heritage Event NWTF Banquet, an NWTF chapter banquet | 9 | Milaca | Buy tickets | Source |
Dalbo WMA country, seen through a lens
Dalbo WMA: sunrise, sunset and legal hours
These Dalbo 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 | 7:22 a.m. | 6:39 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. | 7:09 p.m. | 6:39 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:01 a.m. | 4:54 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. | 5:24 p.m. | 4:54 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:30 a.m. | 4:34 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. | 5:04 p.m. | 4:34 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:54 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 7:24 a.m. | 5:08 p.m. | 4:38 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:32 a.m. | 7:57 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. | 8:27 p.m. | 7:57 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.
Dalbo WMA: what hunters usually ask
What is there to hunt on Dalbo WMA?
On the Dalbo WMA record the game list reads deer, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl and wild turkey.
Where do you park at Dalbo WMA?
From Dalbo, go 2 1/2 miles N on SH 47 then 3 1/2 miles W on CSAH 16. DNR maps 6 parking points.
Who should I contact about Dalbo WMA?
Dalbo WMA belongs to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; the Cambridge office looks after it.
Is Dalbo WMA inside a CWD zone?
Dalbo WMA sits in DPA 225, which is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
What time can you shoot deer at Dalbo WMA on Nov. 7?
Nov. 7: 6:31 a.m. to 5:24 p.m. for deer, sunrise 7:01 a.m..
What other public tracts sit near Dalbo WMA?
Dalbo WMA neighbors on our list: Dobe WMA (3.3 mi), North Stanchfield Lake AMA (4.3 mi) and Cranberry WMA (5.4 mi).
Dalbo WMA: what are the stand and blind rules?
Take it down each evening. Dalbo WMA follows the WMA rule on daily removal of stands, blinds and other gear.
Are there campsites on Dalbo WMA?
WMA rules allow camping only in designated areas or with a permit.
Is Dalbo WMA public ground you can hunt?
Yes. A Minnesota license for the game you hunt is all you need on Dalbo WMA; WMA rules cover vehicles, stands and camping.
What size is the Dalbo WMA unit?
Agency maps put it at 3,363 acres.
Dalbo WMA: which DPA sets the deer rules?
DPA 225, 3-deer limit for 2026. The rifle and shotgun season goes Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Dalbo 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 – Midwest Region (Public domain); USFWS Midwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).