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WMA · Northeast region
Grayling Marsh Wildlife Management Area hunting, 2026-27
Seasons, access rules and the nearest towns for this wildlife management area in Aitkin County.
Photo: Lorie Shaull (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Grayling Marsh Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Grayling Marsh Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.6 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 Grayling Marsh WMA
Grayling Marsh WMA adds 9,952 acres of public ground to Aitkin County. Line up the 27 wildlife management areas in Aitkin County by acres and Grayling Marsh WMA comes 3rd. Its deer permit area is 173; the 2026 designation there is antlerless permit lottery.
DNR runs Grayling Marsh WMA from its Aitkin area office; email aitkin.wildlife@state.mn.us.
In DNR's words: Much of the unit is lowland habitats which are managed for openland wildlife species such as sharp-tailed grouse and sandhill cranes.
Species on the record: deer, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, waterfowl.
- 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 Grayling Marsh Wildlife Management Area
Grayling Marsh WMA route text and lots
Use these DNR directions to find Grayling Marsh WMA; the map pins its 6 parking points.
| Section | Acres | Town | Hunting | Lots | DNR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grayling Marsh WMA | 9,952 | McGregor | Open | 6 | DNR |
- Grayling Marsh WMA: To main access: From McGregor, go 2 miles E on Hwy 210, 2.5 miles N on CR 73, access road on the east side of CR. To east access: From McGregor, go 6 miles E on Hwy 210, 1 mile N on 160th Place. Wheelchair access is limited to the graveled access road into the parking lot.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Grayling Marsh WMA access rules
The rows below restate the access rules on the agency record for Grayling Marsh 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 |
- Respect private property on adjacent lands. No wild rice harvesting allowed. A permit is required for beaver and otter trapping.
Sources: record, agency rules; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Grayling Marsh WMA and deer permit area 173
The 2026 designation for DPA 173 is antlerless permit lottery, and 50 antlerless permits go out by lottery; firearms dates follow the 100-series window. Antlerless deer in DPA 173 need a lottery permit for the firearms seasons; the declaration deadline was Sept. 10.
| 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 173 is voluntary. The DPA covers 496 square miles. DPA 173 counties: Aitkin, St. Louis, Carlton and Itasca.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Seasons open on Grayling Marsh WMA
Dated seasons that apply on Grayling Marsh WMA (35 rows), with today's status in the last column.
| Quarry | Season | Where | Opening | Closing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 173 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 173 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 100 series | DPA 173 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 22, 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 area 51 | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 |
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 173 harvest, the area around Grayling Marsh WMA
Harvest numbers below are DPA 173 totals (528 in 2025), the closest DNR figure for Grayling Marsh WMA.
| Season | Bucks (adult) | Others | Registered | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 442 | 86 | 528 | 1.12 |
| 2024 | 380 | 72 | 452 | 0.96 |
| 2023 | 315 | 98 | 413 | 0.88 |
| 2022 | 345 | 190 | 535 | 1.14 |
| 2021 | 343 | 182 | 525 | 1.11 |
| 2020 | 457 | 400 | 857 | 1.47 |
| 2019 | 546 | 387 | 933 | 1.60 |
| 2018 | 647 | 501 | 1,148 | 1.97 |
| 2017 | 865 | 586 | 1,451 | 2.48 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Grayling Marsh WMA on the map with nearby land
Big pins mark Grayling Marsh WMA and its parking; Mcgregor WMA is the nearest neighbor at 4.4 mi.
| Neighbor | Category | Acreage | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mcgregor WMA | WMA | 650 | 171, 173 | 4.4 mi | southwest |
| McGregor Marsh SNA | SNA | 420 | 156 | 5.0 mi | southwest |
| Lawler WMA | WMA | 235 | 156 | 5.3 mi | southeast |
| Flowage Lake AMA | AMA | 26 | 171 | 5.4 mi | northwest |
| Sandy Lake Resevoir WMA | WMA | 24 | 171, 173 | 6.2 mi | northwest |
| Big Sandy AMA | AMA | 52 | 173 | 6.4 mi | northwest |
| Aitkin WPA | WPA | 74 | 155 | 7.8 mi | southwest |
| Salo Marsh WMA | WMA | 2,035 | 156 | 7.9 mi | southeast |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
What Aitkin County adds to a Grayling Marsh WMA trip
Grayling Marsh WMA is one of 43 public places we list in Aitkin County. Feeding ban: Aitkin County is inside it. Quota bear area 51 overlaps the county (51 (1500 permits)). Turkey: permit area 508. Area wildlife office: Aitkin Area Wildlife Office ((218) 429-3053). Do not mistake Grayling Marsh WMA for closed Aitkin County ground such as Cedar Lake Aquatic Management Area and Glacier Lake Aquatic Management 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 Grayling Marsh WMA
From Grayling Marsh WMA the nearest town is McGregor (4.7 mi). On the DNR record, the reference town is McGregor. DNR staff closest to Grayling Marsh WMA work out of Aitkin (25 mi).
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McGregor | Aitkin | 378 | 4.7 mi | southwest |
| Tamarack | Aitkin | 61 | 4.7 mi | east |
| Wright | Carlton | 169 | 10 mi | east |
| Palisade | Aitkin | 169 | 13 mi | west |
| Cromwell | Carlton | 246 | 17 mi | east |
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 Grayling Marsh Wildlife Management Area
Minnewawa Sportsmen's Club, 4 miles away, is the nearest range to Grayling Marsh 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.
Grayling Marsh WMA legal light on key dates
Legal light at Grayling Marsh 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 | 6:54 a.m. | 7:19 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. | 7:49 p.m. | 7:19 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:03 a.m. | 7:05 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. | 7:35 p.m. | 7:05 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:22 a.m. | 6:38 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. | 7:08 p.m. | 6:38 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:02 a.m. | 4:51 p.m. | 6:32 a.m. | 5:21 p.m. | 4:51 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:32 a.m. | 4:30 p.m. | 7:02 a.m. | 5:00 p.m. | 4:30 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:57 a.m. | 4:34 p.m. | 7:27 a.m. | 5:04 p.m. | 4:34 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:29 a.m. | 7:58 p.m. | 5:59 a.m. | 8:28 p.m. | 7:58 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 Grayling Marsh WMA
Grayling Marsh WMA questions answered from its record
How many acres of hunting does Grayling Marsh WMA offer?
9,952 acres.
What DPA is Grayling Marsh WMA, and what is its designation?
DPA 173 (100 series, antlerless permit lottery). Firearms deer runs Nov 7 to Nov 22, 2026 there.
What animals can be hunted at Grayling Marsh WMA?
Deer, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock and waterfowl, according to the agency page for Grayling Marsh WMA.
How do hunters reach Grayling Marsh WMA?
To main access: From McGregor, go 2 miles E on Hwy 210, 2.5 miles N on CR 73, access road on the east side of CR. To east access: From McGregor, go 6 miles E on Hwy 210, 1 mile N on 160th Place. Lots mapped: 6.
Who holds title to Grayling Marsh WMA?
Land manager for Grayling Marsh WMA: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Aitkin office.
Does chronic wasting disease testing apply on Grayling Marsh WMA?
DPA 173 is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
What are the legal shooting hours at Grayling Marsh WMA?
On the Nov. 7 firearms opener, legal deer hours at Grayling Marsh WMA run 6:32 a.m. to 5:21 p.m..
If Grayling Marsh WMA is full, where is the next public land?
Public ground nearest by straight line: Mcgregor WMA (4.4 mi), McGregor Marsh SNA (5.0 mi) and Lawler WMA (5.3 mi).
Are tree stands allowed on Grayling Marsh WMA, and for how long?
No. Portable stands and blinds come off Grayling Marsh WMA every day (northwest Minnesota has an overnight exception Nov. 1-Dec. 31), and no equipment stays overnight.
Grayling Marsh WMA: is overnight camping allowed?
Not unless DNR designates a site or issues a permit; WMA rules bar other camping.
Is hunting legal on Grayling Marsh WMA in 2026-27?
Yes, in the regular seasons. Read the special restrictions on the DNR page and watch for posted refuge areas.
Other photos on this page: USFWS Midwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0); USFWS Mountain Prairie (CC BY 2.0); GerryT (CC BY 2.0).