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Wildlife refuge in Polk County
Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge hunting, 2026-27
Seasons, access rules and the nearest towns for this national wildlife refuge in Polk County.
Photo: Matt Lavin (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge
Parking, trailheads and gates near Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 6.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 6.0 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
What the file says about Glacial Ridge NWR
Glacial Ridge NWR adds 23,763 acres of public ground to Polk County. Line up the 2 national wildlife refuges in Polk County by acres and Glacial Ridge NWR comes 1st. Its deer permit area is 256 (it also reaches DPA 257); the 2026 designation there is 2-deer limit.
Manager: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Through additional land transfers from TNC and other land acquisitions, the refuge has eclipsed 23,000 acres in 2018. Under this plan, nearly 17,000 acres of the refuge are open to some type of hunting, with more acres to be opened as the refuge grows in size.
Species on the record: migratory game birds, upland game, big game, black bear, deer, wild turkey.
- Ducks
- Canada Goose
- Mourning Dove
- American Woodcock
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- White-tailed Deer
From the agency record (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge
Units of Glacial Ridge NWR
3 units on the USFWS public hunt layer for Glacial Ridge NWR.
| Area | Open | Acres | Permit | Permit type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Special Regulations Apply | 12,960 | No | – |
| B | Special Regulations Apply | 4,445 | No | – |
| Closed | No | 5,846 | No | – |
USFWS Public Hunt Units layer; checked October 28, 2026.
Glacial Ridge NWR access rules
The rows below restate the access rules on the agency record for Glacial Ridge NWR.
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| Rules | State plus 50 CFR 32.42 |
| Where | Designated areas only |
| Hunt map | Check open units |
| Dogs | Immediate control |
| Personal property | Remove daily |
| Shot | Nontoxic where stated |
Sources: record; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Glacial Ridge NWR and deer permit area 256
The 2026 designation for DPA 256 is 2-deer limit; firearms dates follow the 200-series window. DPA 256 allows 2 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 256 is voluntary. The DPA covers 655 square miles. DPA 256 counties: Polk, Pennington, Red Lake and Marshall.
It also touches: DPA 257 (3-deer limit)
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Seasons open on Glacial Ridge NWR
Dated seasons that apply on Glacial Ridge NWR (42 rows), with today's status in the last column.
| Quarry | Season | Where | Opening | Closing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPAs 256, 257 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPAs 256, 257 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPAs 256, 257 | 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 | |
| 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 | |
| Rails | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Dec 16, 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 | |
| Sandhill crane | Northwest zone | Northwest crane zone | Sep 12, 2026 | Oct 18, 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 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 6, 2027 | |
| Crow | Crow segment | Statewide | Dec 15, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Spring light goose | Statewide | Feb 18, 2027 | Apr 30, 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 256 harvest, the area around Glacial Ridge NWR
Harvest numbers below are DPA 256 totals (1,042 in 2025), the closest DNR figure for Glacial Ridge NWR.
| Season | Bucks (adult) | Others | Registered | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 633 | 409 | 1,042 | 1.59 |
| 2024 | 631 | 402 | 1,033 | 1.58 |
| 2023 | 458 | 409 | 867 | 1.33 |
| 2022 | 501 | 511 | 1,012 | 1.55 |
| 2021 | 595 | 474 | 1,069 | 1.64 |
| 2020 | 611 | 451 | 1,062 | 1.62 |
| 2019 | 548 | 440 | 988 | 1.51 |
| 2018 | 561 | 592 | 1,153 | 1.76 |
| 2017 | 605 | 606 | 1,211 | 1.85 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Glacial Ridge NWR on the map with nearby land
Big pins mark Glacial Ridge NWR; Dugdale WMA is the nearest neighbor at 2.1 mi.
| Neighbor | Category | Acreage | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dugdale WMA | WMA | 960 | 256, 257 | 2.1 mi | south |
| Tilden WMA | WMA | 426 | 257 | 3.1 mi | southeast |
| Oak Ridge Marsh WMA | WMA | 57 | 257 | 3.5 mi | southeast |
| Shypoke WMA | WMA | 161 | 256 | 4.1 mi | south |
| The Nature Conservancy WPA | WPA | 88 | 257 | 4.6 mi | southeast |
| Trail WMA | WMA | 609 | 256 | 5.4 mi | south |
| Farrell WPA | WPA | 39 | 257 | 5.5 mi | east |
| Maple Lake WPA | WPA | 357 | 257 | 5.7 mi | southeast |
Points: USFWS Interest layer (fee-title refuge land in Minnesota) (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
What Polk County adds to a Glacial Ridge NWR trip
Glacial Ridge NWR is one of 89 public places we list in Polk County. Feeding ban: Polk County is inside it. Bear licenses in Polk County are no-quota, sold over the counter. Turkey: permit area 509. Area wildlife office: Thief River Falls Area Wildlife Office ((218) 219-8587). Do not mistake Glacial Ridge NWR for closed Polk County ground such as Agassiz Dunes Scientific and Natural Area and Malmberg 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.
Supplies and help close to Glacial Ridge NWR
From Glacial Ridge NWR the nearest town is Mentor (7.0 mi). Crookston, with 7,269 residents, is the biggest town on the list. DNR staff closest to Glacial Ridge NWR work out of Thief River Falls (28 mi).
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mentor | Polk | 103 | 7.0 mi | east |
| Red Lake Falls | Red Lake | 1,327 | 12 mi | north |
| Fertile | Polk | 780 | 12 mi | south |
| Erskine | Polk | 387 | 13 mi | east |
| Crookston | Polk | 7,269 | 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 Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge
Sportsmans Park, 12 miles away, is the nearest range to Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge; check its access rule before going.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026.
Glacial Ridge NWR legal light on key dates
Legal light at Glacial Ridge NWR: 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. | 7:32 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. | 8:02 p.m. | 7:32 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:16 a.m. | 7:17 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. | 7:47 p.m. | 7:17 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:35 a.m. | 6:49 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. | 7:19 p.m. | 6:49 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:17 a.m. | 5:01 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. | 5:31 p.m. | 5:01 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:48 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 7:18 a.m. | 5:08 p.m. | 4:38 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:14 a.m. | 4:42 p.m. | 7:44 a.m. | 5:12 p.m. | 4:42 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:40 a.m. | 8:11 p.m. | 6:10 a.m. | 8:41 p.m. | 8:11 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 Glacial Ridge NWR
Glacial Ridge NWR questions answered from its record
How do hunters reach Glacial Ridge NWR?
Head for Mentor, 7.0 mi off, and use the map.
Who holds title to Glacial Ridge NWR?
Land manager for Glacial Ridge NWR: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Does chronic wasting disease testing apply on Glacial Ridge NWR?
DPA 256 is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
What are the legal shooting hours at Glacial Ridge NWR?
On the Nov. 7 firearms opener, legal deer hours at Glacial Ridge NWR run 6:47 a.m. to 5:31 p.m..
If Glacial Ridge NWR is full, where is the next public land?
Public ground nearest by straight line: Dugdale WMA (2.1 mi), Tilden WMA (3.1 mi) and Oak Ridge Marsh WMA (3.5 mi).
Is hunting legal on Glacial Ridge NWR in 2026-27?
Yes, under the rules in the table above and the state seasons.
How many acres of hunting does Glacial Ridge NWR offer?
23,763 acres.
What DPA is Glacial Ridge NWR, and what is its designation?
DPA 256 (200 series, 2-deer limit). Firearms deer runs Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026 there.
What animals can be hunted at Glacial Ridge NWR?
Migratory game birds, upland game, big game, black bear, deer and wild turkey, according to the agency page for Glacial Ridge NWR.
Other photos on this page: Matt Lavin (CC BY-SA 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).