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WMA · 2026-27
Frank Wildlife Management Area hunting guide and rules
Everything we could verify about this wildlife management area in Becker County.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Frank Wildlife Management Area
Frank WMA: acres, owner and deer area
Frank WMA spreads over 615 acres of Becker County. Of 23 wildlife management areas in Becker County, Frank WMA is number 4 by acreage. Hunters on Frank WMA follow DPA 258, which DNR made either-sex for 2026.
The DNR Detroit Lakes area wildlife office manages it (detroitlakes.wildlife@state.mn.us). The Frank WMA record names Pittman-Robertson federal aid.
From the DNR unit description: Management emphasis focuses on waterfowl, deer, turkey and upland game production and habitat improvement to benefit those species. This unit's location close to Detroit Lakes and difficult accessibility make it a challenge to conduct prescribed burns on. Timber harvest, brush shearing and tree planting are some strategies used to improve habitat for wildlife. The partially drained Rice Lake is in the process of being restored, which should enhance waterfowl habitat on the WMA.
Game species: deer, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, waterfowl, wild turkey, mourning dove.
- White-tailed Deer
- Black Bear
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ruffed Grouse
- American Woodcock
- Ducks
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Frank Wildlife Management Area
Parking lots and routes for Frank WMA
Frank WMA has 1 DNR parking point; directions below are the DNR route text.
| Subunit | Acres | Nearest town | Hunting | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank WMA | 615 | Detroit Lakes | Open | 1 | DNR |
- Frank WMA: 2 miles North/Northeast There is access and a parking lot on the east side of the southern unit of Frank WMA off of Totland Rd. The central unit is largely inaccessible except for a narrow sliver of land connecting it to the south unit along the east side of Rice Lake. The north unit is accessible off of CR21, Anchor Road or Rice Lake road. Anchor road is being closed in 2020 as part of the Rice Lake Restoration Project.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Map: Frank WMA and its neighbors
8 public areas lie within 45 miles of Frank WMA, adding 531 acres; Bristlin Partnership WPA is closest.
| Public land | Type | Acres | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristlin Partnership WPA | WPA | 9.0 | 258 | 1.0 mi | west |
| Stenseth WMA | WMA | 27 | 258 | 1.7 mi | northwest |
| Little Floyd Lake AMA | AMA | 6.0 | 258 | 1.7 mi | northwest |
| Struss WPA | WPA | 97 | 241 | 2.0 mi | southeast |
| Schultz Lake WMA | WMA | 6.9 | 258 | 2.4 mi | southeast |
| Detroit Mountain WPA | WPA | 81 | 241 | 2.5 mi | southeast |
| Floyd Lake AMA | AMA | 23 | 258 | 2.8 mi | northwest |
| Brandy Lake WPA | WPA | 281 | 666 | 3.4 mi | west |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Frank WMA: the use rules
These are the use rules the agency lists for Frank WMA; posted signs on site still govern.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| 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.
When you can hunt Frank WMA
Every dated hunting window for Frank WMA: 21 species, 45 rows.
| Game | Segment | Where | Starts | Ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 258 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 258 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 258 | 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 areas 45, 46 | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 18, 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 | |
| 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 |
Pheasant shooting starts at 9 a.m.; ducks, geese and small game stop at sunset.
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026. All Minnesota seasons.
Frank WMA deer calendar and limits
DPA 258 (200 series) is either-sex in 2026. Either-sex rules let you take a doe in DPA 258 without a permit.
| Season | Begins | Through | Today |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Testing for CWD is optional in DPA 258. Area of DPA 258: 381 sq mi. Counties in DPA 258: Becker and Hubbard.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
How many deer DPA 258 gives up around Frank WMA
DNR reports harvest by deer permit area, not by WMA or county; DPA 258 registered 1,329 deer in 2025, 22% up on 2024.
| Year | Adult bucks | Other deer | Total | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 868 | 461 | 1,329 | 3.88 |
| 2024 | 807 | 286 | 1,093 | 3.19 |
| 2023 | 634 | 249 | 883 | 2.58 |
| 2022 | 625 | 568 | 1,193 | 3.48 |
| 2021 | 826 | 916 | 1,742 | 5.08 |
| 2020 | 884 | 959 | 1,843 | 5.38 |
| 2019 | 924 | 1,026 | 1,950 | 5.69 |
| 2018 | 921 | 1,153 | 2,074 | 6.05 |
| 2017 | 938 | 906 | 1,844 | 5.38 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Frank WMA: towns, DNR office and shops
Frank WMA is 3.1 mi from Detroit Lakes, the nearest community. Directions on the DNR page begin at Detroit Lakes. Detroit Lakes has the nearest DNR office to Frank WMA, 5.2 mi away.
| Nearest towns | County | Population | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lakes | Becker | 10,033 | 3.1 mi | southwest |
| Audubon | Becker | 569 | 7.8 mi | west |
| Frazee | Becker | 1,310 | 9.9 mi | southeast |
| Callaway | Becker | 180 | 10 mi | northwest |
| Lake Park | Becker | 714 | 13 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.
County rules that reach Frank WMA
Our Becker County list runs to 124 public areas, including Frank WMA. Deer feeding and attractants are banned in Becker County. Bear licenses here come from quota area 46 and 45 (46 (950 permits) and 45 (700 permits)). Turkey permit area here: 507 and 509. The county's nearest wildlife office is Detroit Lakes Area Wildlife Office in Detroit Lakes. Becker County also has 8 closed places, Bad Medicine Lake – Restricted Use Aquatic Management Area among them.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Shooting lines in reach of Frank Wildlife Management Area
Misty Meadows sits 2 miles from Frank Wildlife Management Area, closer than any public range on file. Target shooting is off limits here.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026; target shooting rule from the DNR WMA rules.
Frank WMA country, seen through a lens
Frank WMA: sunrise, sunset and legal hours
These Frank WMA hours use the NOAA solar formula for the unit's coordinates.
| When | Event | Rise | Set | Opens | Deer, bear end | Birds end |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Archery and grouse opener | 7:05 a.m. | 7:30 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. | 8:00 p.m. | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:14 a.m. | 7:15 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. | 7:45 p.m. | 7:15 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:32 a.m. | 6:48 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. | 7:18 p.m. | 6:48 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:13 a.m. | 5:01 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. | 5:31 p.m. | 5:01 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:43 a.m. | 4:40 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. | 5:10 p.m. | 4:40 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:08 a.m. | 4:43 p.m. | 7:38 a.m. | 5:13 p.m. | 4:43 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:39 a.m. | 8:08 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. | 8:38 p.m. | 8:08 p.m. |
Clock times include Daylight Saving Time until Nov. 1.
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.
Frank WMA: what hunters usually ask
Frank WMA: what are the stand and blind rules?
Take it down each evening. Frank WMA follows the WMA rule on daily removal of stands, blinds and other gear.
Are there campsites on Frank WMA?
WMA rules allow camping only in designated areas or with a permit.
Is Frank WMA public ground you can hunt?
Yes. A Minnesota license for the game you hunt is all you need on Frank WMA; WMA rules cover vehicles, stands and camping.
What size is the Frank WMA unit?
Agency maps put it at 615 acres.
Frank WMA: which DPA sets the deer rules?
DPA 258, either-sex for 2026. The rifle and shotgun season goes Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
What is there to hunt on Frank WMA?
On the Frank WMA record the game list reads deer, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, waterfowl, wild turkey and mourning dove.
Where do you park at Frank WMA?
2 miles North/Northeast DNR maps 1 parking point.
Who should I contact about Frank WMA?
Frank WMA belongs to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; the Detroit Lakes office looks after it.
Is Frank WMA inside a CWD zone?
Frank WMA sits in DPA 258, which is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
What time can you shoot deer at Frank WMA on Nov. 7?
Nov. 7: 6:43 a.m. to 5:31 p.m. for deer, sunrise 7:13 a.m..
What other public tracts sit near Frank WMA?
Frank WMA neighbors on our list: Bristlin Partnership WPA (1.0 mi), Stenseth WMA (1.7 mi) and Little Floyd Lake AMA (1.7 mi).
Frank WMA trip checklist from this page
No paper tags in Minnesota: validate the electronic license where the animal falls, then register it on time.
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 (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain).