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Minnesota WMA
Expandere Wildlife Management Area: seasons, rules and access
1,178 acres of wildlife management area ground in Cottonwood County, deer permit area 238.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Expandere Wildlife Management Area
Expandere WMA on paper: the record in brief
Expandere WMA covers 1,178 acres in Cottonwood County. Among Cottonwood County’s 22 wildlife management areas, it sits 2nd for acres. Subunits (2): Main Unit (1,010 ac) and North Unit (168 ac).
The 2026 deer designation for DPA 238 (it also reaches DPA 295) is antlerless permit lottery. Management sits with the Windom area wildlife staff, reachable at windom.wildlife@state.mn.us. Federal aid on file for Expandere WMA: Pittman-Robertson.
Hunted here: deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl, mourning dove.
- White-tailed Deer
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- Ducks
- Canada Goose
- Mourning Dove
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Expandere Wildlife Management Area
Getting into Expandere WMA
Directions and parking for Expandere WMA as the DNR detail pages give them (0 parking points mapped).
- Main Unit: From Storden, go 8 miles S on CSAH 5 then 1 mile W on TWN RD.
- North Unit: From Storden, go 6 miles south on CSAH 5, then 3 miles west on CSAH 13.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Use rules to read before hunting Expandere WMA
Expandere 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.
Expandere WMA deer rules: DPA 238
DPA 238 is a 200-series area set to antlerless permit lottery for 2026, with 50 antlerless lottery permits. DPA 238 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, 200 series | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 |
Surveillance block: bring adult deer taken Nov. 7-8 for sampling. At 98 square miles, DPA 238 is the unit deer rules follow. DPA 238 overlaps Cottonwood, Murray, Jackson and Nobles.
Also inside: DPA 295 (either-sex)
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Expandere WMA dates, species by species
Season rows matched to Expandere WMA by its game species list; trapping-only seasons are on the species pages.
| Species | Hunt | Zone | First day | Last day | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPAs 238, 295 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPAs 238, 295 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPAs 238, 295 | 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 | |
| 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 |
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 Expandere WMA
In 2025 hunters registered 114 deer across DPA 238 (1.2 per square mile); the table runs back to 2017.
| Season | Adult males | Antlerless and fawns | DPA total | Deer per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 79 | 35 | 114 | 1.20 |
| 2024 | 77 | 27 | 104 | 1.09 |
| 2023 | 84 | 32 | 116 | 1.22 |
| 2022 | 74 | 38 | 112 | 1.18 |
| 2021 | 90 | 32 | 122 | 1.28 |
| 2020 | 102 | 36 | 138 | 1.45 |
| 2019 | 96 | 25 | 121 | 1.27 |
| 2018 | 84 | 37 | 121 | 1.27 |
| 2017 | 95 | 38 | 133 | 1.40 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Expandere WMA and the public ground around it
Straight-line distances run from the Expandere WMA map point; Long Lake WPA (Cottonwood County) (3.8 mi, northwest) leads the list.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | DPA | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Lake WPA | WPA | 236 | 295 | 3.8 mi | northwest |
| Pats Pasture WMA | WMA | 319 | 295 | 3.8 mi | southeast |
| Clear Lake WPA | WPA | 317 | 238 | 4.9 mi | south |
| Des Moines River WPA | WPA | 309 | 295 | 5.1 mi | east |
| Winkler WMA | WMA | 119 | 238 | 5.3 mi | south |
| Talcot Lake WMA | WMA | 5,319 | 238 | 5.4 mi | southwest |
| Cotton-Jack WMA | WMA | 254 | 238 | 5.7 mi | southwest |
| Voit WMA | WMA | 47 | 238 | 5.8 mi | southwest |
Points: DNR WMA boundary layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Cottonwood County around Expandere WMA
In Cottonwood County there are 40 records like Expandere WMA to choose from. Firearms deer: Cottonwood County still has a local shotgun ordinance (shotgun-only ordinance). For bear, Cottonwood County is no-quota. Turkey permit area 504 covers the county. Windom Area Wildlife Office (Windom) is the closest area wildlife office to the county centre. Watch for closed ground in Cottonwood County such as Purrington Prairie Scientific and Natural 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 Expandere WMA
Closest town: Dundee, 8.1 mi in a straight line from Expandere WMA. Most services: Heron Lake, population 592. The unit page lists Storden as nearest town. The nearest DNR office is Slayton-Talcot Lake Area Wildlife Office in Dundee, 4.6 mi away.
| Town | County | 2024 population | Away | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dundee | Nobles | 79 | 8.1 mi | southwest |
| Heron Lake | Jackson | 592 | 8.4 mi | south |
| Storden | Cottonwood | 214 | 8.4 mi | north |
| Wilder | Jackson | 57 | 9.1 mi | southeast |
| Kinbrae | Nobles | 10 | 9.4 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.
Before Expandere Wildlife Management Area: where to check a zero
Hunters on Expandere Wildlife Management Area can sight in at Sun Valley Club (15 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 Expandere WMA
Shooting starts 30 minutes before sunrise at Expandere 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 | 7:04 a.m. | 7:27 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. | 7:57 p.m. | 7:27 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:12 a.m. | 7:14 p.m. | 6:42 a.m. | 7:44 p.m. | 7:14 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:28 a.m. | 6:48 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. | 7:18 p.m. | 6:48 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:05 a.m. | 5:06 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. | 5:36 p.m. | 5:06 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:32 a.m. | 4:47 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. | 5:17 p.m. | 4:47 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:55 a.m. | 4:52 p.m. | 7:25 a.m. | 5:22 p.m. | 4:52 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:42 a.m. | 8:02 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. | 8:32 p.m. | 8:02 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 Expandere WMA
Quick answers before you hunt Expandere WMA
Where can I hunt public land close to Expandere WMA?
The nearest public units are Long Lake WPA (Cottonwood County) (3.8 mi), Pats Pasture WMA (3.8 mi) and Clear Lake WPA (Cottonwood County) (4.9 mi).
When is legal light on Expandere WMA for the opener?
For the opener, 6:35 a.m. to 5:36 p.m.; birds stop at 5:06 p.m..
Is camping at Expandere WMA allowed under WMA rules?
Camping is limited to designated areas or a DNR permit.
Can decoys or gear stay on Expandere WMA overnight?
Stands are portable-only and leave with you; the one exception is the northwest overnight window from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31.
Expandere WMA size: how much huntable ground?
Expandere WMA covers 1,178 acres in 2 subunits.
May the public hunt Expandere WMA?
Yes. The DNR WMA rules allow hunting and trapping in season on Expandere WMA.
What can you hunt on Expandere WMA?
Expect deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl and mourning dove on Expandere WMA, per the record.
What are the 2026 deer rules on Expandere WMA?
It is in deer permit area 238 (antlerless permit lottery). Guns: Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Who manages Expandere WMA?
Expandere WMA is managed by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, from its Windom office.
What route leads to Expandere WMA?
From Storden, go 8 miles S on CSAH 5 then 1 mile W on TWN RD. Parking points on file: 0.
Do deer from Expandere WMA need CWD testing?
Its DPA (238) is in the 2026 surveillance block (mandatory sampling Nov. 7-8).
Expandere WMA: what to double-check first
Seasons, closures and notices on Expandere 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: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); Cindy Sue Causey (CC BY 2.0).