Home › Minnesota › Public land › Ferndale Ridge WMA
Public hunting · WMA
Ferndale Ridge Wildlife Management Area hunting, season by season
658 acres of public land open to hunters in Houston County, with DPA 649 deer dates.
Photo: Sank63 (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Ferndale Ridge Wildlife Management Area
Ferndale Ridge WMA in brief, from the agency file
658 acres of Houston County belong to Ferndale Ridge WMA. Size rank in Houston County: 3rd of 7 wildlife management areas. For deer it falls in DPA 649, set at 5-deer limit for 2026.
Questions go to the Rochester DNR wildlife office at rochester.wildlife@state.mn.us.
DNR notes on the habitat: This unit is managed primarily for deer, turkey and pheasant, with some small game hunting as well. Management activities include use of prescribed fire on native grasses and timber harvest.
Game listed: deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, wild turkey, mourning dove.
- White-tailed Deer
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ruffed Grouse
- American Woodcock
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- Wild Turkey
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Ferndale Ridge Wildlife Management Area
Subunits and parking at Ferndale Ridge WMA
Each subunit of Ferndale Ridge WMA has its own DNR page; the map below pins 0 parking spots.
| Subunit | Acreage | Near | Open? | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferndale Ridge WMA | 658 | Rushford | Open | – | DNR |
- Ferndale Ridge WMA: From Rushford, go 3.5 miles south and east on State Highway 16, then 0.2 miles east on township road, and then south 2 miles south on Ferndale Road, then east on Hunters Dream Drive to the WMA Access from off Ferndale ridge road or parking lot off Hunter Dream drive on top.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Ferndale Ridge WMA pinned among nearby tracts
Chisholm Valley WMA lies 1.3 mi southeast of Ferndale Ridge WMA, the nearest of 8 public areas within 45 miles.
| Area | Type | Acres | DPA | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chisholm Valley WMA | WMA | 80 | 649 | 1.3 mi | southeast |
| Rush Creek Woods WMA | WMA | 367 | 646 | 4.3 mi | north |
| Yucatan WMA | WMA | 967 | 649 | 5.1 mi | south |
| Rushford Sand Barrens SNA | SNA | 214 | 648 | 5.2 mi | west |
| Schueler WMA | WMA | 896 | 645 | 6.6 mi | northwest |
| Choice WMA | WMA | 1,664 | 648, 649 | 8.3 mi | southwest |
| Shattuck Creek AMA | AMA | 3.3 | 648 | 9.6 mi | southwest |
| So. Fork Root River AMA | AMA | 25 | 648 | 10.0 mi | southwest |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Rules for hunting Ferndale Ridge WMA
Site rules for Ferndale Ridge WMA, condensed from the record.
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| 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.
Ferndale Ridge WMA season dates
This table covers Ferndale Ridge WMA only: deer rows follow its DPA, the rest come from its game species list.
| Species | Type | Zone or DPA | Begins | Through | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 649 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Early antlerless | DPA 649 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 649 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 649 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Late southeast | DPA 649 | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Deer | Late CWD hunt | DPA 649 | Dec 18, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring archery-only | Statewide | Apr 14, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period A | Statewide | Apr 14, 2027 | Apr 20, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth | Statewide | Apr 14, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period B | Statewide | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period C | Statewide | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period D | Statewide | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period E | Statewide | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period F | Statewide | May 19, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 |
Wear blaze orange or pink in the firearms deer season; waterfowl hunters on water are exempt under DNR rules.
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026. All Minnesota seasons.
Deer seasons on Ferndale Ridge WMA
600-series DPA 649 carries the 5-deer limit designation this year. With bonus permits, a hunter can fill the 5-deer limit in DPA 649.
| Season | Starts | Ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Late southeast firearms | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Late CWD hunt | Dec 18, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 |
CWD management zone: DPA 649 is inside it. DNR adds a Dec. 18-20 CWD hunt here. DPA 649 raises the buck limit to three. Dispose of carcasses under the DNR rule. Size of DPA 649: 499 square miles. Houston and Fillmore share DPA 649.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Deer harvest around Ferndale Ridge WMA (DPA 649)
The whole of DPA 649 gave up 3,806 deer in 2025; the DNR publishes no figure for Ferndale Ridge WMA itself.
| Year | Adult male | Rest | Harvest | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,665 | 2,141 | 3,806 | 7.74 |
| 2024 | 1,567 | 1,888 | 3,455 | 7.02 |
| 2023 | 1,539 | 1,844 | 3,383 | 6.88 |
| 2022 | 1,376 | 1,891 | 3,267 | 6.64 |
| 2021 | 1,580 | 1,840 | 3,420 | 6.95 |
| 2020 | 1,783 | 2,071 | 3,854 | 7.83 |
| 2019 | 1,723 | 2,048 | 3,771 | 7.66 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Ferndale Ridge WMA nearby towns
Rushford is the closest town to Ferndale Ridge WMA, about 4.0 mi away. The DNR detail page starts its directions from Rushford. For questions, the Altura DNR office is 29 mi from Ferndale Ridge WMA.
| Town | County | Pop. 2024 | Miles off | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushford | Fillmore | 1,852 | 4.0 mi | northwest |
| Rushford Village | Fillmore | 799 | 4.8 mi | northwest |
| Houston | Houston | 970 | 6.5 mi | east |
| Peterson | Fillmore | 227 | 6.6 mi | west |
| Whalan | Fillmore | 69 | 11 mi | west |
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.
Ferndale Ridge WMA: Houston County facts
Counting Ferndale Ridge WMA, Houston County has 12 listed public areas. Houston County is one of the feeding ban counties. Check the Houston County shotgun ordinance (shotgun-only ordinance) before bringing a rifle. The no-quota bear area covers Houston County. Houston County turkey hunters declare area 501. County questions go to Whitewater WMA Area Wildlife Office, Altura. 13 places in Houston County are closed to hunting, such as Badger Creek Aquatic Management Area.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Range time on the drive to Ferndale Ridge Wildlife Management Area
Three ranges near Ferndale Ridge Wildlife Management Area follow, starting with Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center at 15 miles. No target practice on the property, per its rules.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026; target shooting rule from the DNR WMA rules.
Ferndale Ridge Wildlife Management Area and nearby events
On the ground itself or close by: 1 upcoming event, covering NWTF chapter banquet.
Next on the calendar
| When | Listing | Distance | Venue | Tickets or seats | Read at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 13, 2027 | Rush Creek Longbeards Banquet, an NWTF chapter banquet | 4 | Rushford | Buy tickets | Source |
A look at the landscape around Ferndale Ridge WMA
Ferndale Ridge WMA shooting hours on key dates
Times are worked out for the Ferndale Ridge WMA map point on Central Time; big game ends half an hour after sunset, birds at sunset.
| Date | Moment | Sunrise | Sunset | Open | Big game close | Birds close |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Archery and grouse opener | 6:49 a.m. | 7:12 p.m. | 6:19 a.m. | 7:42 p.m. | 7:12 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 6:57 a.m. | 6:59 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. | 7:29 p.m. | 6:59 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:13 a.m. | 6:34 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. | 7:04 p.m. | 6:34 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 6:50 a.m. | 4:52 p.m. | 6:20 a.m. | 5:22 p.m. | 4:52 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:17 a.m. | 4:33 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. | 5:03 p.m. | 4:33 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:40 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 7:10 a.m. | 5:08 p.m. | 4:38 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:27 a.m. | 7:47 p.m. | 5:57 a.m. | 8:17 p.m. | 7:47 p.m. |
Times are rounded to the minute.
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.
Straight answers on hunting Ferndale Ridge WMA
Can you hunt on Ferndale Ridge WMA this season?
Yes. Hunting and trapping are open on state WMAs during regular seasons unless DNR posts an exception, and Ferndale Ridge WMA shows open hunting status.
Can I camp on Ferndale Ridge WMA during the season?
Generally no: designated areas or a permit only.
Which deer permit area holds Ferndale Ridge WMA?
Ferndale Ridge WMA falls in DPA 649, 5-deer limit. Expect the firearms season from Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Roughly how large is the Ferndale Ridge WMA unit?
The mapped size is 658 acres.
Where is the access for Ferndale Ridge WMA?
From Rushford, go 3.5 miles south and east on State Highway 16, then 0.2 miles east on township road, and then south 2 miles south on Ferndale Road, then east on Hunters Dream Drive to the WMA Park on the road shoulder only where legal.
Which species does Ferndale Ridge WMA hold?
Game on the agency list for Ferndale Ridge WMA: deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, wild turkey and mourning dove.
Is CWD sampling required at Ferndale Ridge WMA?
DNR lists DPA 649 as in the CWD management zone.
Who do I call about Ferndale Ridge WMA?
Ferndale Ridge WMA falls under Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Rochester office).
Which public ground lies closest to Ferndale Ridge WMA?
Next-closest public land: Chisholm Valley WMA (1.3 mi), Rush Creek Woods WMA (4.3 mi) and Yucatan WMA (5.1 mi).
How early does shooting start at Ferndale Ridge WMA on the opener?
Opening day of the firearms season: shooting from 6:20 a.m., done by 5:22 p.m..
Can I leave a stand on Ferndale Ridge WMA overnight?
Daily removal applies on Ferndale Ridge WMA, so plan on a climber or a hang-on you carry out.
Ferndale Ridge WMA: three things to confirm first
Carry your license, validate a deer or turkey at the kill site and register it (48 hours for deer and bear, 24 for turkey).
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: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); Pictures by Ann (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).