Home › Minnesota › Public land › Florian WMA
WMA · Northwest region
Florian Wildlife Management Area hunting, 2026-27
Seasons, access rules and the nearest towns for this wildlife management area in Marshall County.
Photo: Joe Passe (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Florian Wildlife Management Area
What the file says about Florian WMA
Florian WMA adds 1,529 acres of public ground to Marshall County. Line up the 28 wildlife management areas in Marshall County by acres and Florian WMA comes 13th. Its deer permit area is 264; the 2026 designation there is 3-deer limit.
DNR runs Florian WMA from its Karlstad area office; email karlstad.wildlife@state.mn.us. Federal aid noted by DNR for Florian WMA: Pittman-Robertson.
In DNR's words: Management is directed toward maintaining the mosaic of habitat that currently exists and rejuvenating the oak savannas. Grazing and prescribed burning are two techniques used to achieve these management goals.
Species on the record: deer, black bear, small game, sharp-tailed grouse.
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Florian Wildlife Management Area
Florian WMA route text and lots
Use these DNR directions to find Florian WMA; the map pins its 1 parking point.
| Section | Acres | Town | Hunting | Lots | DNR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florian WMA | 1,529 | Florian | Open | 1 | DNR |
- Florian WMA: From Florian, go 3 miles E on CSAH 6.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Florian WMA access rules
The rows below restate the access rules on the agency record for Florian 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.
Florian WMA and deer permit area 264
The 2026 designation for DPA 264 is 3-deer limit; firearms dates follow the 200-series window. DPA 264 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 264 is voluntary. DNR notes extra WMA rules in DPA 264. The DPA covers 672 square miles. DPA 264 counties: Marshall, Roseau, Kittson and Pennington.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Seasons open on Florian WMA
Dated seasons that apply on Florian WMA (22 rows), with today's status in the last column.
| Quarry | Season | Where | Opening | Closing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 264 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 264 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 264 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | No-quota area | No Quota Area | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Quota areas | Quota area 12 | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Ruffed, spruce grouse | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Sharp-tailed grouse | Northwest zone | Northwest zone | Sep 19, 2026 | Nov 30, 2026 | |
| Hungarian partridge | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| 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 264 harvest, the area around Florian WMA
Harvest numbers below are DPA 264 totals (1,995 in 2025), the closest DNR figure for Florian WMA.
| Season | Bucks (adult) | Others | Registered | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,046 | 949 | 1,995 | 2.98 |
| 2024 | 1,103 | 904 | 2,007 | 3.00 |
| 2023 | 852 | 918 | 1,770 | 2.65 |
| 2022 | 793 | 828 | 1,621 | 2.42 |
| 2021 | 982 | 854 | 1,836 | 2.74 |
| 2020 | 925 | 953 | 1,878 | 2.81 |
| 2019 | 904 | 867 | 1,771 | 2.65 |
| 2018 | 852 | 913 | 1,765 | 2.64 |
| 2017 | 886 | 990 | 1,876 | 2.80 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Florian WMA on the map with nearby land
Big pins mark Florian WMA and its parking; Alces WMA is the nearest neighbor at 2.3 mi.
| Neighbor | Category | Acreage | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alces WMA | WMA | 75 | 264 | 2.3 mi | east |
| Wright WMA | WMA | 394 | 264 | 4.0 mi | south |
| Old Mill State Park | State park | 288 | 264 | 5.2 mi | south |
| West Valley WMA | WMA | 247 | 264 | 5.5 mi | east |
| Adolf Elseth Memorial WMA | WMA | 44 | 264 | 5.5 mi | southeast |
| Deerwood WMA | WMA | 322 | 264 | 8.1 mi | north |
| East Park WMA | WMA | 10,427 | 264 | 11 mi | northeast |
| New Maine WMA | WMA | 2,667 | 264 | 12 mi | east |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
What Marshall County adds to a Florian WMA trip
Florian WMA is one of 36 public places we list in Marshall County. Quota bear area 12 overlaps the county (12 (100 permits)). Turkey: permit area 509. Elk: zone 10, by lottery. Area wildlife office: Karlstad Area Wildlife Office ((218) 772-1260).
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 Florian WMA
From Florian WMA the nearest town is Strandquist (5.6 mi). Karlstad, with 671 residents, is the biggest town on the list. On the DNR record, the reference town is Florian. DNR staff closest to Florian WMA work out of Karlstad (9.8 mi).
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strandquist | Marshall | 68 | 5.6 mi | northeast |
| Karlstad | Kittson | 671 | 9.9 mi | north |
| Newfolden | Marshall | 343 | 11 mi | southeast |
| Argyle | Marshall | 529 | 14 mi | southwest |
| Stephen | Marshall | 574 | 15 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.
Closest Minnesota ranges to Florian Wildlife Management Area
Lock & Load Hunting Club, 17 miles away, is the nearest range to Florian 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.
Florian WMA legal light on key dates
Legal light at Florian 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 | 7:07 a.m. | 7:33 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. | 8:03 p.m. | 7:33 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:17 a.m. | 7:18 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. | 7:48 p.m. | 7:18 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:37 a.m. | 6:49 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. | 7:19 p.m. | 6:49 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:20 a.m. | 5:00 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. | 5:30 p.m. | 5:00 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:52 a.m. | 4:37 p.m. | 7:22 a.m. | 5:07 p.m. | 4:37 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:18 a.m. | 4:40 p.m. | 7:48 a.m. | 5:10 p.m. | 4:40 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:40 a.m. | 8:14 p.m. | 6:10 a.m. | 8:44 p.m. | 8:14 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 Florian WMA
Florian WMA questions answered from its record
Does chronic wasting disease testing apply on Florian WMA?
DPA 264 is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
What are the legal shooting hours at Florian WMA?
On the Nov. 7 firearms opener, legal deer hours at Florian WMA run 6:50 a.m. to 5:30 p.m..
If Florian WMA is full, where is the next public land?
Public ground nearest by straight line: Alces WMA (2.3 mi), Wright WMA (4.0 mi) and Old Mill State Park (5.2 mi).
Are tree stands allowed on Florian WMA, and for how long?
No. Portable stands and blinds come off Florian WMA every day (northwest Minnesota has an overnight exception Nov. 1-Dec. 31), and no equipment stays overnight.
Florian WMA: is overnight camping allowed?
Not unless DNR designates a site or issues a permit; WMA rules bar other camping.
Is hunting legal on Florian 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 Florian WMA offer?
1,529 acres.
What DPA is Florian WMA, and what is its designation?
DPA 264 (200 series, 3-deer limit). Firearms deer runs Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026 there.
What animals can be hunted at Florian WMA?
Deer, black bear, small game and sharp-tailed grouse, according to the agency page for Florian WMA.
How do hunters reach Florian WMA?
From Florian, go 3 miles E on CSAH 6. Lots mapped: 1.
Who holds title to Florian WMA?
Land manager for Florian WMA: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Karlstad office.
Other photos on this page: Joe Passe (CC BY-SA 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); YellowstoneNPS (Public domain).