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Ranger district in Itasca County
Deer River Ranger District, Chippewa National Forest hunting, 2026-27
Seasons, access rules and the nearest towns for this national forest ranger district in Itasca County and 1 neighbor.
Photo: Joe Passe (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Deer River Ranger District, Chippewa National Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Deer River Ranger District, Chippewa National Forest
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 7.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 7.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 7.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 7.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 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 Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF)
Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF) adds 297,666 acres of public ground to Itasca and Cass counties. Line up the 2 ranger districts in Itasca County by acres and Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF) comes 1st. Its deer permit area is 169 (it also reaches DPA 171, DPA 172 and DPA 197); the 2026 designation there is antlerless permit lottery.
USDA Forest Service manages it. One of the Chippewa National Forest ranger districts. Zones come from the gross district boundary (includes non-federal land).
Species on the record: deer, ruffed grouse, waterfowl.
From the agency record (USDA Forest Service); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Deer River Ranger District, Chippewa National Forest
Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF) federal acres, county by county
| County | Acres owned |
|---|---|
| Itasca County | 208,367 |
| Cass County | 89,298 |
USFS EDW Lands Area Statistics; checked October 28, 2026.
Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF) access rules
The rows below restate the access rules on the agency record for Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF).
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| Seasons | DNR regulations |
| Developed sites | No hunting |
| Near campsites | No shots, 150 yd |
| Dogs in developed sites | Leashed |
| Stands, OHVs | Check forest rules |
| Private inholdings | Permission needed |
Sources: record; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF) and deer permit area 169
The 2026 designation for DPA 169 is antlerless permit lottery, and 25 antlerless permits go out by lottery; firearms dates follow the 100-series window. Antlerless deer in DPA 169 need a lottery permit for the firearms seasons; the declaration deadline was Sept. 10.
| 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 169 is voluntary. The DPA covers 996 square miles. DPA 169 counties: Itasca, Beltrami and Koochiching.
It also touches: DPA 171 (antlerless permit lottery), DPA 172 (antlerless permit lottery), DPA 197 (antlerless permit lottery), DPA 679 (either-sex)
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Seasons open on Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF)
Dated seasons that apply on Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF) (19 rows), with today's status in the last column.
| Quarry | Season | Where | Opening | Closing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPAs 169, 171, 172, 197 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPAs 169, 171, 172, 197 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 100 series | DPAs 169, 171, 172, 197 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Ruffed, spruce grouse | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Hungarian partridge | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| 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 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | Central Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | Central Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Dec 30, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 6, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Spring light goose | Statewide | Feb 18, 2027 | Apr 30, 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 169 harvest, the area around Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF)
Harvest numbers below are DPA 169 totals (927 in 2025), the closest DNR figure for Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF).
| Season | Bucks (adult) | Others | Registered | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 907 | 20 | 927 | 0.99 |
| 2024 | 765 | 29 | 794 | 0.84 |
| 2023 | 653 | 129 | 782 | 0.83 |
| 2022 | 702 | 217 | 919 | 0.98 |
| 2021 | 934 | 239 | 1,173 | 1.25 |
| 2020 | 1,066 | 414 | 1,480 | 1.32 |
| 2019 | 1,335 | 416 | 1,751 | 1.56 |
| 2018 | 1,531 | 537 | 2,068 | 1.84 |
| 2017 | 1,589 | 984 | 2,573 | 2.29 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF) on the map with nearby land
Big pins mark Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF); Bowstring Deer Yard WMA is the nearest neighbor at 2.7 mi.
| Neighbor | Category | Acreage | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowstring Deer Yard WMA | WMA | 771 | 197 | 2.7 mi | west |
| Birds Eye Lake AMA | AMA | 223 | 197 | 11 mi | northwest |
| Little Too Much Lake SNA, 58 ac | SNA | 58 | 169 | 12 mi | northeast |
| Balsam-Deer Islands WMA | WMA | 36 | 679 | 12 mi | southeast |
| Wabu Woods SNA | SNA | 145 | 679 | 13 mi | east |
| Crawford Island AMA | AMA | 35 | 679 | 13 mi | southeast |
| Bowstring State Forest | State forest | 115,891 | 169, 197 | 13 mi | southwest |
| Johnson Lake Island AMA | AMA | 4.2 | 679 | 14 mi | east |
Points: USFS EDW ranger district boundary (gross boundary) (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
What Itasca County adds to a Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF) trip
Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF) is one of 43 public places we list in Itasca County. Feeding ban: Itasca County is inside it. Quota bear area 27, 28 and 51 overlaps the county (27 (450 permits), 28 (60 permits) and 51 (1500 permits)). Turkey: permit area 508. Area wildlife office: Grand Rapids Area Wildlife Office ((218) 328-8860). Do not mistake Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF) for closed Itasca County ground such as Bear River Aquatic Management Area and Botany Bog Scientific and Natural 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 Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF)
From Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF) the nearest town is Inger (8.2 mi). Deer River, with 930 residents, is the biggest town on the list. DNR staff closest to Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF) work out of Grand Rapids (22 mi).
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inger | Itasca | – | 8.2 mi | northwest |
| Deer River | Itasca | 930 | 9.6 mi | southeast |
| Ball Club | Itasca | – | 9.9 mi | south |
| Zemple | Itasca | 79 | 11 mi | southeast |
| Squaw Lake | Itasca | 102 | 16 mi | northwest |
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 Deer River Ranger District, Chippewa National Forest
Grand Rapids Gun Club, 21 miles away, is the nearest range to Deer River Ranger District, Chippewa National Forest; check its access rule before going.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026.
Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF) legal light on key dates
Legal light at Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF): 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 | 6:57 a.m. | 7:22 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. | 7:52 p.m. | 7:22 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:06 a.m. | 7:08 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. | 7:38 p.m. | 7:08 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:25 a.m. | 6:40 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. | 7:10 p.m. | 6:40 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:07 a.m. | 4:52 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. | 5:22 p.m. | 4:52 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:38 a.m. | 4:30 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. | 5:00 p.m. | 4:30 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:03 a.m. | 4:33 p.m. | 7:33 a.m. | 5:03 p.m. | 4:33 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:31 a.m. | 8:01 p.m. | 6:01 a.m. | 8:31 p.m. | 8:01 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 Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF)
Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF) questions answered from its record
What are the legal shooting hours at Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF)?
On the Nov. 7 firearms opener, legal deer hours at Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF) run 6:37 a.m. to 5:22 p.m..
If Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF) is full, where is the next public land?
Public ground nearest by straight line: Bowstring Deer Yard WMA (2.7 mi), Birds Eye Lake AMA (11 mi) and Little Too Much Lake SNA (12 mi).
Is hunting legal on Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF) in 2026-27?
Yes, under the rules in the table above and the state seasons.
How many acres of hunting does Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF) offer?
297,666 acres.
What DPA is Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF), and what is its designation?
DPA 169 (100 series, antlerless permit lottery). Firearms deer runs Nov 7 to Nov 22, 2026 there.
What animals can be hunted at Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF)?
Deer, ruffed grouse and waterfowl, according to the agency page for Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF).
How do hunters reach Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF)?
Head for Inger, 8.2 mi off, and use the map.
Who holds title to Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF)?
Land manager for Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF): USDA Forest Service.
Does chronic wasting disease testing apply on Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF)?
DPA 169 is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
Last checks before driving to Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF)
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted refuge areas on Deer River Ranger District (Chippewa NF).
Sources: 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); Always Shooting (CC BY 2.0).