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WMA in Kandiyohi County
Hunting Dietrich Lange Wildlife Management Area, Minnesota public land
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this wildlife management area in Kandiyohi County, 944 acres.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Dietrich Lange Wildlife Management Area
Dietrich Lange WMA at a glance for hunters
You get 944 acres at Dietrich Lange WMA, which lies in Kandiyohi County. By size it ranks 1st of the 30 wildlife management areas we list in Kandiyohi County. The 2 subunits are South Unit (201 ac) and North Unit (743 ac).
DPA 277 sets the deer limit here: 3-deer limit this year. The managing office is New London (DNR Wildlife), newlondon.wildlife@state.mn.us. DNR lists Pittman-Robertson as the federal aid source for Dietrich Lange WMA.
What the DNR page says about it: A food plot is maintained on the north part of the unit. A public access to Lake Calhoun also exists on this WMA, along the south shore of the lake.
Listed game: deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl, mourning dove.
- 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 Dietrich Lange Wildlife Management Area
What is allowed on Dietrich Lange WMA
Short version of the rules that apply on Dietrich Lange 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 |
- The West end of the North unit is posted as a State Wildlife Sanctuary, closed Sept. 1 through the close of waterfowl season. Check for the signs.
Sources: record, agency rules; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Deer on Dietrich Lange WMA in 2026-27
Deer on Dietrich Lange WMA fall under DPA 277: 3-deer limit, 200 series. Fill the DPA 277 limit of 3 with your license plus bonus permits.
| Deer window | From | To | Open 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 |
Mandatory CWD sampling applies Nov. 7-8 (2026 surveillance block). DPA 277 spans 1,147 square miles. DPA 277 reaches Kandiyohi, Meeker, Pope, Swift and Stearns counties.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Alerts posted for Dietrich Lange WMA
- CWD sampling is mandatory on Dietrich Lange WMA for adult deer taken Nov. 7-8 this year, per the DNR visitor alert.
- CWD sampling is mandatory on Dietrich Lange WMA for adult deer taken Nov. 7-8 this year, per the DNR visitor alert.
DNR WMA visitor alerts on the unit page; checked October 28, 2026. CWD rules.
Dietrich Lange WMA hunting calendar 2026-27
Dietrich Lange 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 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 | |
| Mourning dove | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 29, 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 |
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.
Dietrich Lange WMA: access points
0 parking points and the route text DNR posts for Dietrich Lange WMA.
- South Unit: From the junction of CR 10 and MN 23 travel E on 10 for 4 miles then go N on CR 4 for 2.5 miles to the W end of the main unit. Limited to access strips and/or roads adjacent to the unit.
- North Unit: From the junction of CR 10 and MN 23 travel E on 10 for 4 miles then go N on CR 4 for 2.5 miles to the W end of the main unit. Limited to access strips and/or roads adjacent to the unit.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Public land within a drive of Dietrich Lange WMA
When Dietrich Lange WMA is crowded, Harrison WPA sits 1.9 mi away to the south.
| Place | Type | Acres | DPA | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harrison WPA | WPA | 46 | 277 | 1.9 mi | south |
| New London WMA | WMA | 46 | 277 | 3.4 mi | northwest |
| Irving WPA | WPA | 132 | 277 | 4.4 mi | northeast |
| Sperry Lake WPA | WPA | 16 | 277 | 4.7 mi | south |
| Allen WPA | WPA | 198 | 277 | 5.7 mi | west |
| Carlson Lake WPA | WPA | 286 | 277 | 6.1 mi | southwest |
| Burbank WMA | WMA | 506 | 277 | 6.2 mi | northwest |
| New London WPA | WPA | 389 | 277 | 6.5 mi | northwest |
Points: DNR WMA boundary layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Dietrich Lange WMA nearest towns and help
Fuel and food: Spicer lies 4.9 mi from Dietrich Lange WMA. For more services, Paynesville (2,586) is 10.0 mi out. DNR's nearest town for this unit: Spicer. Nearest DNR desk: New London Area Wildlife Office, 9.8 mi.
| Town | County | People (2024) | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spicer | Kandiyohi | 1,099 | 4.9 mi | southwest |
| New London | Kandiyohi | 1,316 | 5.2 mi | northwest |
| Regal | Kandiyohi | 40 | 9.7 mi | north |
| Atwater | Kandiyohi | 1,098 | 9.7 mi | south |
| Paynesville | Stearns | 2,586 | 10.0 mi | northeast |
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.
Dietrich Lange WMA: deer taken in DPA 277
4,575 deer were registered in DPA 277 during 2025, 4.32 per square mile of the unit.
| Year | Adult bucks | Other deer | DPA harvest | Per square mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Dietrich Lange WMA and the rest of Kandiyohi County
Kandiyohi County has 99 public hunting areas on file, Dietrich Lange WMA among them. Local rule: Kandiyohi County restricts deer firearms to shotguns (shotgun-only ordinance). Kandiyohi County lies in the bear no-quota area. The county sits in turkey permit area 507 and 506. Nearest DNR area wildlife office to the county centre: New London Area Wildlife Office, (320) 347-7630. Not every public place in Kandiyohi County is open: Florida Lake 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 Dietrich Lange WMA
Sun times computed for Dietrich Lange 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. | 7:25 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. | 7:55 p.m. | 7:25 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 | 7:27 a.m. | 6:45 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. | 7:15 p.m. | 6:45 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:06 a.m. | 5:01 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. | 5:31 p.m. | 5:01 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:34 a.m. | 4:41 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. | 5:11 p.m. | 4:41 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:58 a.m. | 4:45 p.m. | 7:28 a.m. | 5:15 p.m. | 4:45 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:38 a.m. | 8:02 p.m. | 6:08 a.m. | 8:32 p.m. | 8:02 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.
Dietrich Lange Wildlife Management Area: hunts and banquets nearby
DU chapter party and NWTF chapter banquet: 2 upcoming events, on site or a few miles away.
Booked dates
| Held on | Event | Miles off | Where held | Link | Checked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 16, 2027 | Lakes Country Holiday Bash 2027, a DU chapter party | 10 | Paynesville American Legion | Buy tickets | Source |
| Mar 20, 2027 | West Central Full Fans Banquet, an NWTF chapter banquet | 10 | Atwater | Buy tickets | Source |
Ranges a Dietrich Lange Wildlife Management Area hunter can reach
From Dietrich Lange Wildlife Management Area, the nearest listed range is Willmar Rifle & Pistol Club at 9 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.
Dietrich Lange WMA region in a few frames
Hunter questions about Dietrich Lange WMA, short answers
Dietrich Lange WMA and CWD: what applies?
For CWD, DPA 277 is in the 2026 surveillance block (mandatory sampling Nov. 7-8).
Dietrich Lange WMA: who is the land manager?
Questions about Dietrich Lange WMA go to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at its New London office.
Dietrich Lange WMA neighbors: what public land is nearby?
Short-drive options from the map: Harrison WPA (1.9 mi), New London WMA (3.4 mi) and Irving WPA (4.4 mi).
On the deer opener, when can you shoot at Dietrich Lange WMA?
Deer shooting on Nov. 7 opens at 6:36 a.m. and ends at 5:31 p.m. at the Dietrich Lange WMA point.
Can hunters set up a tent camp on Dietrich Lange WMA?
Only at designated sites or by permit.
Can blinds stay up overnight at Dietrich Lange WMA?
Only for the day: WMA rules make you remove portable stands and blinds daily, outside the northwest Nov. 1-Dec. 31 exception.
Dietrich Lange WMA acreage: how much ground is it?
It runs to 944 acres in 2 subunits.
Does Dietrich Lange WMA allow public hunting?
It is open: DNR lists every subunit of Dietrich Lange WMA with an open or partial hunting status.
What game species does Dietrich Lange WMA list?
The agency names deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl and mourning dove for Dietrich Lange WMA.
What deer permit area is Dietrich Lange WMA in?
The record puts it in DPA 277: 3-deer limit. Its firearms season: Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
How do you get to Dietrich Lange WMA?
From the junction of CR 10 and MN 23 travel E on 10 for 4 miles then go N on CR 4 for 2.5 miles to the W end of the main unit. 0 parking spots on the DNR map.
Other photos on this page: DaPuglet (CC BY-SA 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain).