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State forest in Itasca County
Golden Anniversary State Forest hunting, 2026-27
Seasons, access rules and the nearest towns for this state forest in Itasca County.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Golden Anniversary State Forest
What the file says about Golden Anniversary State Forest
Golden Anniversary State Forest adds 1,832 acres of public ground to Itasca County. Line up the 5 state forests in Itasca County by acres and Golden Anniversary State Forest comes 5th. Its deer permit area is 679; the 2026 designation there is either-sex.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources manages it. Statutory acres: 7,288; DNR-administered acres: 1,832. The legislature set it up in 1961.
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Golden Anniversary State Forest
Golden Anniversary State Forest access rules
The rows below restate the access rules on the agency record for Golden Anniversary State Forest.
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| Hunting, trapping | Open in season |
| Game refuges inside | Closed unless listed |
| Near campgrounds, lots | Cased within 200 ft |
| Stands | Portable preferred |
| Shooting lanes | No cutting |
| Private inholdings | Permission needed |
| Target shooting | Unless posted closed |
| Forest roads | OHVs unless posted |
Sources: record; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Golden Anniversary State Forest and deer permit area 679
The 2026 designation for DPA 679 is either-sex; firearms dates follow the 100-series window. In DPA 679 the license is good for a buck or an antlerless deer.
| Hunt | First day | Last day | Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Youth deer | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Firearms, 100 series | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 |
DNR lists DPA 679 in the CWD management zone. A carcass disposal rule covers the area. The DPA covers 1,138 square miles. DPA 679 counties: Itasca, Aitkin and Cass.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Seasons open on Golden Anniversary State Forest
Dated seasons that apply on Golden Anniversary State Forest (47 rows), with today's status in the last column.
| Quarry | Season | Where | Opening | Closing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 679 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 679 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 100 series | DPA 679 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Quota areas | Quota areas 24, 25, 27, 28, 46, 47, 51 | 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 | |
| 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 |
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 679 harvest, the area around Golden Anniversary State Forest
Harvest numbers below are DPA 679 totals (2,146 in 2025), the closest DNR figure for Golden Anniversary State Forest.
| Season | Bucks (adult) | Others | Registered | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,238 | 908 | 2,146 | 2.10 |
| 2024 | 1,086 | 843 | 1,929 | 1.88 |
| 2023 | 1,044 | 1,002 | 2,046 | 2.00 |
| 2022 | 1,232 | 1,925 | 3,157 | 3.08 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Golden Anniversary State Forest on the map with nearby land
Big pins mark Golden Anniversary State Forest; Cowhorn RGMA is the nearest neighbor at 1.8 mi.
| Neighbor | Category | Acreage | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowhorn RGMA | RGMA | 964 | 679 | 1.8 mi | north |
| Mississippi Oxbow SNA | SNA | 23 | 679 | 4.4 mi | east |
| Hill Lake AMA | AMA | 96 | 679 | 8.1 mi | southwest |
| Nisbett Island WMA | WMA | 12 | 679 | 8.2 mi | northwest |
| Hill Lake WMA | WMA | 5.2 | 171 | 9.9 mi | southwest |
| Chisholm Point Island SNA | SNA | 28 | 679 | 10 mi | northwest |
| Boltuck-Rice Forever Wild Scientific and Natural Area | SNA | 77 | 679 | 11 mi | northwest |
| Savanna State Forest | State forest | 128,689 | 155, 156 | 11 mi | southeast |
Points: DNR State Forest Management Units layer (DNR-administered land) (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
What Itasca County adds to a Golden Anniversary State Forest trip
Golden Anniversary State Forest is one of 43 public places we list in Itasca County. Feeding ban: Itasca County is inside it. Quota bear area 27, 28 and 51 overlaps the county (27 (450 permits), 28 (60 permits) and 51 (1500 permits)). Turkey: permit area 508. Area wildlife office: Grand Rapids Area Wildlife Office ((218) 328-8860). Do not mistake Golden Anniversary State Forest for closed Itasca County ground such as Bear River Aquatic Management Area and Botany Bog 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 Golden Anniversary State Forest
From Golden Anniversary State Forest the nearest town is La Prairie (9.3 mi). Grand Rapids, with 11,244 residents, is the biggest town on the list. DNR staff closest to Golden Anniversary State Forest work out of Grand Rapids (10 mi).
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Prairie | Itasca | 666 | 9.3 mi | north |
| Hill City | Aitkin | 615 | 9.4 mi | southwest |
| Warba | Itasca | 184 | 10 mi | east |
| Grand Rapids | Itasca | 11,244 | 10 mi | north |
| Coleraine | Itasca | 1,995 | 11 mi | north |
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 Golden Anniversary State Forest
Pheasants Plus, 9 miles away, is the nearest range to Golden Anniversary State Forest; check its access rule before going.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026.
Golden Anniversary State Forest legal light on key dates
Legal light at Golden Anniversary State Forest: 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 | 6:55 a.m. | 7:20 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. | 7:50 p.m. | 7:20 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:04 a.m. | 7:06 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. | 7:36 p.m. | 7:06 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:23 a.m. | 6:38 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. | 7:08 p.m. | 6:38 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:05 a.m. | 4:51 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. | 5:21 p.m. | 4:51 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:35 a.m. | 4:29 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. | 4:59 p.m. | 4:29 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:00 a.m. | 4:33 p.m. | 7:30 a.m. | 5:03 p.m. | 4:33 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:30 a.m. | 7:59 p.m. | 6:00 a.m. | 8:29 p.m. | 7:59 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 Golden Anniversary State Forest
Golden Anniversary State Forest questions answered from its record
Is hunting legal on Golden Anniversary State Forest in 2026-27?
Yes, under the rules in the table above and the state seasons.
How many acres of hunting does Golden Anniversary State Forest offer?
1,832 acres.
What DPA is Golden Anniversary State Forest, and what is its designation?
DPA 679 (600 series, either-sex). Firearms deer runs Nov 7 to Nov 22, 2026 there.
What animals can be hunted at Golden Anniversary State Forest?
All open seasons, as the agency lists no species for Golden Anniversary State Forest.
How do hunters reach Golden Anniversary State Forest?
Head for La Prairie, 9.3 mi off, and use the map.
Who holds title to Golden Anniversary State Forest?
Land manager for Golden Anniversary State Forest: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Does chronic wasting disease testing apply on Golden Anniversary State Forest?
DPA 679 is in the CWD management zone.
What are the legal shooting hours at Golden Anniversary State Forest?
On the Nov. 7 firearms opener, legal deer hours at Golden Anniversary State Forest run 6:35 a.m. to 5:21 p.m..
If Golden Anniversary State Forest is full, where is the next public land?
Public ground nearest by straight line: Cowhorn RGMA (1.8 mi), Mississippi Oxbow SNA (4.4 mi) and Hill Lake AMA (8.1 mi).
Are tree stands allowed on Golden Anniversary State Forest, and for how long?
You may, but any stand left on Golden Anniversary State Forest becomes available to other hunters, and cutting lanes is not allowed.
Last checks before driving to Golden Anniversary State Forest
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted refuge areas on Golden Anniversary State Forest.
Sources: source · source · source · source · source · source; regulations from the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Lorie Shaull (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).