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Minnesota WMA
Darwin S. Myers Wildlife Management Area: seasons, rules and access
746 acres of wildlife management area ground in St. Louis County, deer permit area 176.
Photo: Abnormally Weird (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Darwin S. Myers Wildlife Management Area
Darwin S. Myers WMA on paper: the record in brief
Darwin S. Myers WMA covers 746 acres in St. Louis County. Among St. Louis County’s 16 wildlife management areas, it sits 5th for acres. The 2026 deer designation for DPA 176 is antlerless permit lottery.
Management sits with the Tower area wildlife staff, reachable at tower.wildlife@state.mn.us.
DNR describes the unit this way: Management will emphasize wetland, brushland and lowland forest plant communities. Management will include water level manipulation, removal of dikes, prescribed fire, dike mowing and maintenance, access improvement and boundary signing and posting.
Hunted here: 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 Darwin S. Myers Wildlife Management Area
Getting into Darwin S. Myers WMA
Directions and parking for Darwin S. Myers WMA as the DNR detail pages give them (0 parking points mapped).
| Piece | Acres | Town | Status | Lots | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darwin S. Myers WMA | 746 | 2 mi SW of Embarrass, MN | Open | – | DNR |
- Darwin S. Myers WMA: From Virginia, go 5 mi N on Hwy 53 to Hwy 169, 5 mi NE to CR 21, 9 mi E to Hwy 135, then 1.5 mi S to Soini Rd, then 1 mi E to the unit.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Use rules to read before hunting Darwin S. Myers WMA
Darwin S. Myers 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.
Darwin S. Myers WMA deer rules: DPA 176
DPA 176 is a 100-series area set to antlerless permit lottery for 2026, with 25 antlerless lottery permits. DPA 176 rations does: firearm hunters need an antlerless permit from the Sept. 10 lottery.
| Deer season | Opening | Closing | Right 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 |
DPA 176 has optional CWD testing. At 957 square miles, DPA 176 is the unit deer rules follow. DPA 176 overlaps St. Louis and Itasca.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Darwin S. Myers WMA dates, species by species
Season rows matched to Darwin S. Myers 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 176 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 176 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 100 series | DPA 176 | 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 | |
| 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 Darwin S. Myers WMA
In 2025 hunters registered 599 deer across DPA 176 (0.65 per square mile); the table runs back to 2017.
| Season | Adult males | Antlerless and fawns | DPA total | Deer per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 581 | 18 | 599 | 0.65 |
| 2024 | 521 | 25 | 546 | 0.59 |
| 2023 | 452 | 124 | 576 | 0.63 |
| 2022 | 544 | 170 | 714 | 0.78 |
| 2021 | 681 | 182 | 863 | 0.94 |
| 2020 | 742 | 263 | 1,005 | 1.09 |
| 2019 | 795 | 200 | 995 | 1.08 |
| 2018 | 1,060 | 777 | 1,837 | 1.99 |
| 2017 | 1,200 | 741 | 1,941 | 2.11 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Darwin S. Myers WMA and the public ground around it
Straight-line distances run from the Darwin S. Myers WMA map point; Bear Island State Forest (11 mi, northeast) leads the list.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | DPA | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Island State Forest | State forest | 26,130 | 117, 118 | 11 mi | northeast |
| White Corner RGMA | RGMA | 636 | 178 | 12 mi | south |
| Pike Bay WMA | WMA | 44 | 177 | 13 mi | northwest |
| Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park, 4,550 ac | State park | 4,550 | 119, 130 | 14 mi | north |
| Lost Lake Peatland SNA | SNA | 3,178 | 177 | 16 mi | northwest |
| Mooseline RGMA | RGMA | 642 | 178 | 18 mi | south |
| Pine Island WMA | WMA | 35 | 177 | 18 mi | north |
| Hwy 115 RGMA | RGMA | 674 | 177 | 20 mi | northwest |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
St. Louis County around Darwin S. Myers WMA
In St. Louis County there are 59 records like Darwin S. Myers WMA to choose from. Bear: quota area 24, 25 and 31 reaches the county, 24 (100 permits), 25 (375 permits) and 31 (400 permits) for 2026. Turkey permit area 508 covers the county. Tower Area Wildlife Office (Tower) is the closest area wildlife office to the county centre. Watch for closed ground in St. Louis County such as Amity Creek Aquatic Management Area.
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 Darwin S. Myers WMA
Closest town: Hoyt Lakes, 6.7 mi in a straight line from Darwin S. Myers WMA. The unit page lists 2 mi SW of Embarrass, MN as nearest town. The nearest DNR office is Tower Area Wildlife Office in Tower, 12 mi away.
| Town | County | 2024 population | Away | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoyt Lakes | St. Louis | 1,988 | 6.7 mi | southeast |
| Aurora | St. Louis | 1,652 | 7.1 mi | south |
| Biwabik | St. Louis | 965 | 8.6 mi | southwest |
| McKinley | St. Louis | 102 | 12 mi | southwest |
| Soudan | St. Louis | – | 12 mi | north |
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 Darwin S. Myers Wildlife Management Area: where to check a zero
Hunters on Darwin S. Myers Wildlife Management Area can sight in at East Range Sportsmen's and Conservation Club (7 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 Darwin S. Myers WMA
Shooting starts 30 minutes before sunrise at Darwin S. Myers 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 | 6:50 a.m. | 7:16 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. | 7:46 p.m. | 7:16 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. | 6:33 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. | 7:03 p.m. | 6:33 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:01 a.m. | 4:44 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. | 5:14 p.m. | 4:44 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:32 a.m. | 4:22 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. | 4:52 p.m. | 4:22 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:57 a.m. | 4:26 p.m. | 7:27 a.m. | 4:56 p.m. | 4:26 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:24 a.m. | 7:55 p.m. | 5:54 a.m. | 8:25 p.m. | 7:55 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 Darwin S. Myers WMA
Quick answers before you hunt Darwin S. Myers WMA
May the public hunt Darwin S. Myers WMA?
Yes. The DNR WMA rules allow hunting and trapping in season on Darwin S. Myers WMA.
Is camping at Darwin S. Myers WMA allowed under WMA rules?
Camping is limited to designated areas or a DNR permit.
What are the 2026 deer rules on Darwin S. Myers WMA?
It is in deer permit area 176 (antlerless permit lottery). Guns: Nov 7 to Nov 22, 2026.
Darwin S. Myers WMA size: how much huntable ground?
Darwin S. Myers WMA covers 746 acres.
What route leads to Darwin S. Myers WMA?
From Virginia, go 5 mi N on Hwy 53 to Hwy 169, 5 mi NE to CR 21, 9 mi E to Hwy 135, then 1.5 mi S to Soini Rd, then 1 mi E to the unit. Parking points on file: 0.
What can you hunt on Darwin S. Myers WMA?
Expect deer, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock and waterfowl on Darwin S. Myers WMA, per the record.
Do deer from Darwin S. Myers WMA need CWD testing?
Its DPA (176) is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
Who manages Darwin S. Myers WMA?
Darwin S. Myers WMA is managed by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, from its Tower office.
Where can I hunt public land close to Darwin S. Myers WMA?
The nearest public units are Bear Island State Forest (11 mi), White Corner RGMA (12 mi) and Pike Bay WMA (13 mi).
When is legal light on Darwin S. Myers WMA for the opener?
For the opener, 6:31 a.m. to 5:14 p.m.; birds stop at 4:44 p.m..
Can decoys or gear stay on Darwin S. Myers WMA overnight?
Stands are portable-only and leave with you; the one exception is the northwest overnight window from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31.
Darwin S. Myers WMA: what to double-check first
Seasons, closures and notices on Darwin S. Myers 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: Sharon Mollerus (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).