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WMA · Northwest region
Graceton Wildlife Management Area hunting, 2026-27
Seasons, access rules and the nearest towns for this wildlife management area in Lake of the Woods County.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Graceton Wildlife Management Area
What the file says about Graceton WMA
Graceton WMA adds 10,709 acres of public ground to Lake of the Woods County. Line up the 14 wildlife management areas in Lake of the Woods County by acres and Graceton WMA comes 3rd. Its deer permit area is 105; the 2026 designation there is 2-deer limit.
DNR runs Graceton WMA from its Baudette area office; email baudette.wildlife@state.mn.us.
In DNR's words: Sandhill cranes and other open land dependent species use this WMA. Dragon's Mouth Orchid may be found here. The easternmost sub-unit consists of 278 acres of sphagnum wetlands and open lowland brush with an island of jack pine. There are no special restrictions on this unit; normal WMA rules apply. This unit was resurveyed and signed in 2000.
Species on the record: deer, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, sharp-tailed grouse.
- White-tailed Deer
- Black Bear
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ruffed Grouse
- American Woodcock
- Sharp-tailed Grouse
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Graceton Wildlife Management Area
Graceton WMA route text and lots
Use these DNR directions to find Graceton WMA; the map pins its 0 parking points.
| Section | Acres | Town | Hunting | Lots | DNR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graceton WMA | 10,709 | Baudette | Open | – | DNR |
- Graceton WMA: From Baudette, go 7 miles W on Hwy 11 then 1 mile N on 38th Ave Access may be difficult due to ditches, wet ground conditions and lack of roads.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Graceton WMA access rules
The rows below restate the access rules on the agency record for Graceton 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.
Graceton WMA and deer permit area 105
The 2026 designation for DPA 105 is 2-deer limit; firearms dates follow the 100-series window. DPA 105 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, 100 series | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 |
CWD sampling in DPA 105 is voluntary. DNR notes extra WMA rules in DPA 105. The DPA covers 1,394 square miles. DPA 105 counties: Lake of the Woods, Roseau and Koochiching.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Seasons open on Graceton WMA
Dated seasons that apply on Graceton WMA (22 rows), with today's status in the last column.
| Quarry | Season | Where | Opening | Closing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 105 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 105 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 100 series | DPA 105 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Quota areas | Quota areas 12, 13, 14 | 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 | |
| Woodcock | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Nov 2, 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 | |
| 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 105 harvest, the area around Graceton WMA
Harvest numbers below are DPA 105 totals (2,485 in 2025), the closest DNR figure for Graceton WMA.
| Season | Bucks (adult) | Others | Registered | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,387 | 1,098 | 2,485 | 2.07 |
| 2024 | 1,255 | 910 | 2,165 | 1.81 |
| 2023 | 1,230 | 1,315 | 2,545 | 2.12 |
| 2022 | 1,203 | 1,185 | 2,388 | 1.99 |
| 2021 | 1,436 | 1,491 | 2,927 | 2.44 |
| 2020 | 1,405 | 1,488 | 2,893 | 2.41 |
| 2019 | 1,066 | 1,020 | 2,086 | 2.82 |
| 2018 | 1,058 | 1,281 | 2,339 | 3.16 |
| 2017 | 1,066 | 967 | 2,033 | 2.75 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Graceton WMA on the map with nearby land
Big pins mark Graceton WMA; Four Mile Bay WMA is the nearest neighbor at 6.1 mi.
| Neighbor | Category | Acreage | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Four Mile Bay WMA | WMA | 89 | 105 | 6.1 mi | northeast |
| Zippel Bay State Park | State park | 2,719 | 105 | 6.1 mi | north |
| Pine and Curry Island SNA | SNA | 123 | 105 | 7.9 mi | northeast |
| Prosper WMA | WMA | 1,941 | 105 | 9.2 mi | northwest |
| Spooner WMA | WMA | 358 | 105 | 10.0 mi | southeast |
| Carp Swamp WMA | WMA | 15,264 | 105 | 15 mi | southeast |
| Carp RGMA | RGMA | 3,472 | 111 | 15 mi | southeast |
| Winter Road Lake Peatland SNA, 4,343 ac | SNA | 4,343 | 111 | 16 mi | west |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
What Lake of the Woods County adds to a Graceton WMA trip
Graceton WMA is one of 28 public places we list in Lake of the Woods County. Quota bear area 12, 14 and 13 overlaps the county (12 (100 permits), 14 (10 permits) and 13 (300 permits)). Turkey: permit area 509 and 508. Area wildlife office: Baudette Area Wildlife Office ((218) 308-2079).
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 Graceton WMA
From Graceton WMA the nearest town is Williams (6.3 mi). Warroad, with 1,983 residents, is the biggest town on the list. On the DNR record, the reference town is Baudette. DNR staff closest to Graceton WMA work out of Baudette (11 mi).
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williams | Lake of the Woods | 156 | 6.3 mi | west |
| Baudette | Lake of the Woods | 935 | 11 mi | east |
| Roosevelt | Roseau | 156 | 13 mi | west |
| Warroad | Roseau | 1,983 | 25 mi | northwest |
| Angle Inlet | Lake of the Woods | – | 41 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 Graceton Wildlife Management Area
Lake of the Woods Rod & Gun Club, 11 miles away, is the nearest range to Graceton 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.
Graceton WMA legal light on key dates
Legal light at Graceton 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 | 7:00 a.m. | 7:26 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. | 7:56 p.m. | 7:26 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:10 a.m. | 7:11 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. | 7:41 p.m. | 7:11 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:30 a.m. | 6:42 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. | 7:12 p.m. | 6:42 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:14 a.m. | 4:52 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. | 5:22 p.m. | 4:52 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:46 a.m. | 4:29 p.m. | 7:16 a.m. | 4:59 p.m. | 4:29 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:12 a.m. | 4:31 p.m. | 7:42 a.m. | 5:01 p.m. | 4:31 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:32 a.m. | 8:07 p.m. | 6:02 a.m. | 8:37 p.m. | 8:07 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 Graceton WMA
Graceton WMA questions answered from its record
Is hunting legal on Graceton 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 Graceton WMA offer?
10,709 acres.
What DPA is Graceton WMA, and what is its designation?
DPA 105 (100 series, 2-deer limit). Firearms deer runs Nov 7 to Nov 22, 2026 there.
What animals can be hunted at Graceton WMA?
Deer, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock and sharp-tailed grouse, according to the agency page for Graceton WMA.
How do hunters reach Graceton WMA?
From Baudette, go 7 miles W on Hwy 11 then 1 mile N on 38th Ave Lots mapped: 0.
Who holds title to Graceton WMA?
Land manager for Graceton WMA: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Baudette office.
Does chronic wasting disease testing apply on Graceton WMA?
DPA 105 is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
What are the legal shooting hours at Graceton WMA?
On the Nov. 7 firearms opener, legal deer hours at Graceton WMA run 6:44 a.m. to 5:22 p.m..
If Graceton WMA is full, where is the next public land?
Public ground nearest by straight line: Four Mile Bay WMA (6.1 mi), Zippel Bay State Park (6.1 mi) and Pine and Curry Island SNA (7.9 mi).
Are tree stands allowed on Graceton WMA, and for how long?
No. Portable stands and blinds come off Graceton WMA every day (northwest Minnesota has an overnight exception Nov. 1-Dec. 31), and no equipment stays overnight.
Graceton WMA: is overnight camping allowed?
Not unless DNR designates a site or issues a permit; WMA rules bar other camping.
Other photos on this page: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0); USFWS Mountain Prairie (CC BY 2.0).