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Goose Prairie Wildlife Management Area hunting, season by season
642 acres of public land open to hunters in Clay County, with DPA 666 deer dates.
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Getting to Goose Prairie Wildlife Management Area
Goose Prairie WMA in brief, from the agency file
642 acres of Clay County belong to Goose Prairie WMA. Size rank in Clay County: 6th of 19 wildlife management areas. For deer it falls in DPA 666, set at either-sex for 2026.
Questions go to the Detroit Lakes DNR wildlife office at detroitlakes.wildlife@state.mn.us. Its DNR record carries the federal aid code Pittman-Robertson.
DNR notes on the habitat: Deer hunting and excellent waterfowling opportunities.
Game listed: deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl, mourning dove.
- White-tailed Deer
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ruffed Grouse
- American Woodcock
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- Ducks
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Goose Prairie Wildlife Management Area
Subunits and parking at Goose Prairie WMA
Each subunit of Goose Prairie WMA has its own DNR page; the map below pins 1 parking spot.
| Subunit | Acreage | Near | Open? | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goose Prairie WMA | 642 | Hitterdal | Open | 1 | DNR |
- Goose Prairie WMA: From Hitterdal, go 2 miles N on SH 32. Access is on the south side of Goose Prairie Marsh. Turn east ~3/4 mile past 97th Ave N (which goes west off of highway 32). Continue past two private driveways to parking lot on lake.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Goose Prairie WMA pinned among nearby tracts
Eide WPA lies 1.4 mi west of Goose Prairie WMA, the nearest of 8 public areas within 45 miles.
| Area | Type | Acres | DPA | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eide WPA | WPA | 107 | 666 | 1.4 mi | west |
| Korell WPA | WPA | 763 | 666 | 1.5 mi | north |
| Hitterdahl WPA | WPA | 14 | 666 | 2.0 mi | southwest |
| Aspen WMA | WMA | 40 | 666 | 2.3 mi | west |
| Rustad Lake WPA | WPA | 414 | 666 | 2.4 mi | southeast |
| Flora Lake WPA | WPA | 229 | 666 | 2.4 mi | south |
| Ashmore WPA | WPA | 157 | 666 | 2.5 mi | north |
| Melbye WMA | WMA | 80 | 666 | 2.8 mi | southeast |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Rules for hunting Goose Prairie WMA
Site rules for Goose Prairie 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.
Goose Prairie WMA season dates
This table covers Goose Prairie 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 666 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 666 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 666 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 |
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 Goose Prairie WMA
600-series DPA 666 carries the either-sex designation this year. One deer of either sex per license in DPA 666.
| Season | Starts | Ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 management zone: DPA 666 is inside it. Dispose of carcasses under the DNR rule. Size of DPA 666: 625 square miles. Clay, Becker and Norman share DPA 666.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Goose Prairie WMA nearby towns
Hitterdal is the closest town to Goose Prairie WMA, about 2.0 mi away. The largest nearby is Hawley (2,274 people). The DNR detail page starts its directions from Hitterdal. For questions, the Detroit Lakes DNR office is 23 mi from Goose Prairie WMA.
| Town | County | Pop. 2024 | Miles off | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hitterdal | Clay | 202 | 2.0 mi | southwest |
| Ulen | Clay | 472 | 5.2 mi | north |
| Hawley | Clay | 2,274 | 9.6 mi | southwest |
| Lake Park | Becker | 714 | 11 mi | southeast |
| Felton | Clay | 169 | 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.
Goose Prairie WMA: Clay County facts
Counting Goose Prairie WMA, Clay County has 82 listed public areas. Clay County is one of the feeding ban counties. Check the Clay County shotgun ordinance (partial shotgun-only ordinance) before bringing a rifle. The no-quota bear area covers Clay County. Clay County turkey hunters declare area 509 and 506. County questions go to Detroit Lakes Area Wildlife Office, Detroit Lakes. 4 places in Clay County are closed to hunting, such as Beva Paulson Memorial Hardwood Forest Scientific and Natural 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 Goose Prairie Wildlife Management Area
Three ranges near Goose Prairie Wildlife Management Area follow, starting with Wild Rice Conservation Club at 18 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.
A look at the landscape around Goose Prairie WMA
Goose Prairie WMA shooting hours on key dates
Times are worked out for the Goose Prairie 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 | 7:06 a.m. | 7:31 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. | 8:01 p.m. | 7:31 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:15 a.m. | 7:17 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. | 7:47 p.m. | 7:17 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:34 a.m. | 6:49 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. | 7:19 p.m. | 6:49 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:15 a.m. | 5:02 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. | 5:32 p.m. | 5:02 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:46 a.m. | 4:41 p.m. | 7:16 a.m. | 5:11 p.m. | 4:41 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:11 a.m. | 4:44 p.m. | 7:41 a.m. | 5:14 p.m. | 4:44 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:41 a.m. | 8:10 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. | 8:40 p.m. | 8:10 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 Goose Prairie WMA
Who do I call about Goose Prairie WMA?
Goose Prairie WMA falls under Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Detroit Lakes office).
Where is the access for Goose Prairie WMA?
From Hitterdal, go 2 miles N on SH 32. The map above shows 1 parking pin.
How early does shooting start at Goose Prairie WMA on the opener?
Opening day of the firearms season: shooting from 6:45 a.m., done by 5:32 p.m..
Is CWD sampling required at Goose Prairie WMA?
DNR lists DPA 666 as in the CWD management zone.
Can I leave a stand on Goose Prairie WMA overnight?
Daily removal applies on Goose Prairie WMA, so plan on a climber or a hang-on you carry out.
Which public ground lies closest to Goose Prairie WMA?
Next-closest public land: Eide WPA (1.4 mi), Korell WPA (1.5 mi) and Hitterdahl WPA (2.0 mi).
Can you hunt on Goose Prairie WMA this season?
Yes. Hunting and trapping are open on state WMAs during regular seasons unless DNR posts an exception, and Goose Prairie WMA shows open hunting status.
Can I camp on Goose Prairie WMA during the season?
Generally no: designated areas or a permit only.
Which deer permit area holds Goose Prairie WMA?
Goose Prairie WMA falls in DPA 666, either-sex. Expect the firearms season from Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Roughly how large is the Goose Prairie WMA unit?
The mapped size is 642 acres.
Which species does Goose Prairie WMA hold?
Game on the agency list for Goose Prairie WMA: deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl and mourning dove.
Goose Prairie 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: Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); YellowstoneNPS (Public domain).