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WMA · Northwest region
Faith Wildlife Management Area hunting, 2026-27
Seasons, access rules and the nearest towns for this wildlife management area in Norman County.
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Getting to Faith Wildlife Management Area
What the file says about Faith WMA
Faith WMA adds 661 acres of public ground to Norman County. Line up the 15 wildlife management areas in Norman County by acres and Faith WMA comes 6th. Its deer permit area is 265; the 2026 designation there is 3-deer limit.
DNR runs Faith WMA from its Detroit Lakes area office; email detroitlakes.wildlife@state.mn.us. Federal aid noted by DNR for Faith WMA: Pittman-Robertson.
Species on the record: deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock.
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Faith Wildlife Management Area
Faith WMA route text and lots
Use these DNR directions to find Faith WMA; the map pins its 0 parking points.
| Section | Acres | Town | Hunting | Lots | DNR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faith WMA | 661 | Faith | Open | – | DNR |
- Faith WMA: From Faith, go 2 m. E and S on CO RD #29/40 to the eastern boundary of the unit. Disabled access is limited to the road. There are no parking lots or facilities accessible to people with disabilities on this WMA.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Faith WMA access rules
The rows below restate the access rules on the agency record for Faith WMA.
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| 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.
Faith WMA and deer permit area 265
The 2026 designation for DPA 265 is 3-deer limit; firearms dates follow the 200-series window. DPA 265 allows 3 deer, so bonus permits come into play after the first deer.
| Hunt | First day | Last day | 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 |
CWD sampling in DPA 265 is voluntary. The DPA covers 495 square miles. DPA 265 counties: Norman and Polk.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Seasons open on Faith WMA
Dated seasons that apply on Faith WMA (20 rows), with today's status in the last column.
| Quarry | Season | Where | Opening | Closing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 265 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 265 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 265 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 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 | |
| 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 | |
| Take-a-Kid | Take-a-Kid | Statewide | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 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 | |
| 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 | |
| Crow | Crow segment | Statewide | Mar 1, 2027 | Mar 31, 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 265 harvest, the area around Faith WMA
Harvest numbers below are DPA 265 totals (1,177 in 2025), the closest DNR figure for Faith WMA.
| Season | Bucks (adult) | Others | Registered | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 599 | 578 | 1,177 | 2.38 |
| 2024 | 631 | 436 | 1,067 | 2.16 |
| 2023 | 479 | 451 | 930 | 1.88 |
| 2022 | 520 | 658 | 1,178 | 2.38 |
| 2021 | 616 | 729 | 1,345 | 2.72 |
| 2020 | 648 | 763 | 1,411 | 2.86 |
| 2019 | 607 | 698 | 1,305 | 2.64 |
| 2018 | 559 | 827 | 1,386 | 2.81 |
| 2017 | 575 | 674 | 1,249 | 2.53 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Faith WMA on the map with nearby land
Big pins mark Faith WMA; Christensen WPA is the nearest neighbor at 4.5 mi.
| Neighbor | Category | Acreage | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christensen WPA | WPA | 640 | 265 | 4.5 mi | northwest |
| Wolbeck WPA | WPA | 138 | 297 | 4.8 mi | east |
| Moccasin WMA | WMA | 294 | 666 | 6.4 mi | south |
| Home WMA | WMA | 95 | 666 | 6.7 mi | southwest |
| Vangsness WMA | WMA | 325 | 666 | 7.0 mi | west |
| Stalboerger WPA | WPA | 74 | 297 | 7.0 mi | east |
| Skoog WPA | WPA | 21 | 297 | 7.1 mi | southeast |
| Moore Lake WPA | WPA | 80 | 297 | 7.3 mi | southeast |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
What Norman County adds to a Faith WMA trip
Faith WMA is one of 23 public places we list in Norman County. Feeding ban: Norman County is inside it. Bear licenses in Norman County are no-quota, sold over the counter. Turkey: permit area 509. Area wildlife office: Detroit Lakes Area Wildlife Office ((218) 846-8470). Do not mistake Faith WMA for closed Norman County ground such as Agassiz Dunes Scientific and Natural Area and Frenchman's Bluff 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 Faith WMA
From Faith WMA the nearest town is Mahnomen (7.1 mi). On the DNR record, the reference town is Faith. DNR staff closest to Faith WMA work out of Detroit Lakes (34 mi).
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mahnomen | Mahnomen | 1,216 | 7.1 mi | northeast |
| Twin Valley | Norman | 697 | 7.7 mi | west |
| Riverland | Mahnomen | – | 8.0 mi | northeast |
| Waubun | Mahnomen | 399 | 9.0 mi | southeast |
| Gary | Norman | 223 | 11 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.
Events at or near Faith Wildlife Management Area
Checked October 28, 2026: 2 upcoming events at or near the property (NWTF hunting heritage fundraiser and firearms safety hybrid class).
Still to come
| Dates | What | How far | Place | Next step | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 30–31, 2026 | Firearms Safety Hybrid Class, a firearms safety hybrid class | 9 | Waubun | Register | Source |
| Mar 18, 2027 | Prairie Toms Hunting Heritage Event NWTF Fundraiser, an NWTF hunting heritage fundraiser | 7 | Mahnomen | Buy tickets | Source |
Closest Minnesota ranges to Faith Wildlife Management Area
Wild Rice Conservation Club, 8 miles away, is the nearest range to Faith Wildlife Management Area; check its access rule before going. The property rules exclude target shooting.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026; target shooting rule from the DNR WMA rules.
Faith WMA legal light on key dates
Legal light at Faith WMA: 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 | 7:06 a.m. | 7:31 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. | 8:01 p.m. | 7:31 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:15 a.m. | 7:17 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. | 7:47 p.m. | 7:17 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:34 a.m. | 6:49 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. | 7:19 p.m. | 6:49 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:15 a.m. | 5:01 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. | 5:31 p.m. | 5:01 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:46 a.m. | 4:39 p.m. | 7:16 a.m. | 5:09 p.m. | 4:39 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:11 a.m. | 4:43 p.m. | 7:41 a.m. | 5:13 p.m. | 4:43 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:40 a.m. | 8:10 p.m. | 6:10 a.m. | 8:40 p.m. | 8:10 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 Faith WMA
Faith WMA questions answered from its record
Faith WMA: is overnight camping allowed?
Not unless DNR designates a site or issues a permit; WMA rules bar other camping.
Is hunting legal on Faith WMA in 2026-27?
Yes, in the regular seasons. Read the special restrictions on the DNR page and watch for posted refuge areas.
How many acres of hunting does Faith WMA offer?
661 acres.
What DPA is Faith WMA, and what is its designation?
DPA 265 (200 series, 3-deer limit). Firearms deer runs Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026 there.
What animals can be hunted at Faith WMA?
Deer, small game and ruffed grouse and woodcock, according to the agency page for Faith WMA.
How do hunters reach Faith WMA?
From Faith, go 2 m. E and S on CO RD #29/40 to the eastern boundary of the unit. Lots mapped: 0.
Who holds title to Faith WMA?
Land manager for Faith WMA: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Detroit Lakes office.
Does chronic wasting disease testing apply on Faith WMA?
DPA 265 is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
What are the legal shooting hours at Faith WMA?
On the Nov. 7 firearms opener, legal deer hours at Faith WMA run 6:45 a.m. to 5:31 p.m..
If Faith WMA is full, where is the next public land?
Public ground nearest by straight line: Christensen WPA (4.5 mi), Wolbeck WPA (4.8 mi) and Moccasin WMA (6.4 mi).
Are tree stands allowed on Faith WMA, and for how long?
No. Portable stands and blinds come off Faith WMA every day (northwest Minnesota has an overnight exception Nov. 1-Dec. 31), and no equipment stays overnight.
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); GlacierNPS (Public domain).