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WMA · Northwest region
Grygla Wildlife Management Area hunting, 2026-27
Seasons, access rules and the nearest towns for this wildlife management area in Marshall County.
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Getting to Grygla Wildlife Management Area
What the file says about Grygla WMA
Grygla WMA adds 3,444 acres of public ground to Marshall County. Line up the 28 wildlife management areas in Marshall County by acres and Grygla WMA comes 9th. It is made of 2 subunits, South Unit (79 ac) and North Unit (3,366 ac).
Its deer permit area is 101; the 2026 designation there is 2-deer limit. DNR runs Grygla WMA from its Thief River Falls area office; email thiefriver.wildlife@state.mn.us.
In DNR's words: There is a wide-ranging elk herd in this area, and you may occasionally be able to spot them on this WMA. In September and October, elk can be spotted in openings, especially at dawn and dusk. Elk are year-round residents of this unit.
Species on the record: deer, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, sharp-tailed grouse, waterfowl.
- 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 Grygla Wildlife Management Area
Grygla WMA route text and lots
Use these DNR directions to find Grygla WMA; the map pins its 0 parking points.
- South Unit: From Grygla, go 5 miles N on CSAH 54.
- North Unit: From Grygla, travel 5 miles north on Marshall County 54. No parking lot.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Grygla WMA access rules
The rows below restate the access rules on the agency record for Grygla 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.
Grygla WMA and deer permit area 101
The 2026 designation for DPA 101 is 2-deer limit; firearms dates follow the 100-series window. DPA 101 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 101 is voluntary. DNR notes extra WMA rules in DPA 101. The DPA covers 496 square miles. DPA 101 counties: Beltrami, Marshall, Roseau and Lake of the Woods.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Seasons open on Grygla WMA
Dated seasons that apply on Grygla WMA (36 rows), with today's status in the last column.
| Quarry | Season | Where | Opening | Closing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 101 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 101 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 100 series | DPA 101 | 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 12 | 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 | |
| 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 101 harvest, the area around Grygla WMA
Harvest numbers below are DPA 101 totals (759 in 2025), the closest DNR figure for Grygla WMA.
| Season | Bucks (adult) | Others | Registered | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 554 | 205 | 759 | 1.53 |
| 2024 | 515 | 173 | 688 | 1.39 |
| 2023 | 391 | 203 | 594 | 1.20 |
| 2022 | 356 | 278 | 634 | 1.28 |
| 2021 | 491 | 176 | 667 | 1.35 |
| 2020 | 401 | 190 | 591 | 1.19 |
| 2019 | 447 | 295 | 742 | 1.50 |
| 2018 | 445 | 361 | 806 | 1.63 |
| 2017 | 450 | 275 | 725 | 1.46 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Grygla WMA on the map with nearby land
Big pins mark Grygla WMA; Valley WMA is the nearest neighbor at 5.4 mi.
| Neighbor | Category | Acreage | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valley WMA | WMA | 656 | 101 | 5.4 mi | southwest |
| Wapiti WMA | WMA | 31,759 | 101 | 6.2 mi | northeast |
| Wapiti – SE RGMA | RGMA | 822 | 101 | 6.6 mi | east |
| Benville WMA | WMA | 1,194 | 101 | 7.1 mi | southeast |
| Moose River WMA | WMA | 21,273 | 101 | 8.1 mi | east |
| Espelie WMA | WMA | 3,644 | 111, 208 | 8.3 mi | south |
| Eckvoll WMA | WMA | 6,490 | 203 | 9.1 mi | southwest |
| Willow-Run WMA | WMA | 3,564 | 111 | 9.9 mi | south |
Points: DNR WMA boundary layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
What Marshall County adds to a Grygla WMA trip
Grygla WMA is one of 36 public places we list in Marshall County. Quota bear area 12 overlaps the county (12 (100 permits)). Turkey: permit area 509. Elk: zone 10, by lottery. Area wildlife office: Karlstad Area Wildlife Office ((218) 772-1260).
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 Grygla WMA
From Grygla WMA the nearest town is Grygla (5.9 mi). Middle River, with 294 residents, is the biggest town on the list. On the DNR record, the reference town is Grygla. DNR staff closest to Grygla WMA work out of Middle River (17 mi).
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grygla | Marshall | 171 | 5.9 mi | south |
| Goodridge | Pennington | 107 | 19 mi | southwest |
| Middle River | Marshall | 294 | 25 mi | west |
| Holt | Marshall | 87 | 27 mi | west |
| Strathcona | Roseau | 28 | 27 mi | northwest |
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 Grygla Wildlife Management Area
Lock & Load Hunting Club, 25 miles away, is the nearest range to Grygla 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.
Grygla WMA legal light on key dates
Legal light at Grygla 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 | 7:03 a.m. | 7:29 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. | 7:59 p.m. | 7:29 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:13 a.m. | 7:15 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. | 7:45 p.m. | 7:15 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:33 a.m. | 6:46 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. | 7:16 p.m. | 6:46 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:16 a.m. | 4:56 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. | 5:26 p.m. | 4:56 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:48 a.m. | 4:33 p.m. | 7:18 a.m. | 5:03 p.m. | 4:33 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:14 a.m. | 4:36 p.m. | 7:44 a.m. | 5:06 p.m. | 4:36 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:36 a.m. | 8:10 p.m. | 6:06 a.m. | 8:40 p.m. | 8:10 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 Grygla WMA
Grygla WMA questions answered from its record
If Grygla WMA is full, where is the next public land?
Public ground nearest by straight line: Valley WMA (5.4 mi), Wapiti WMA (6.2 mi) and Wapiti – SE RGMA (6.6 mi).
Are tree stands allowed on Grygla WMA, and for how long?
No. Portable stands and blinds come off Grygla WMA every day (northwest Minnesota has an overnight exception Nov. 1-Dec. 31), and no equipment stays overnight.
Grygla WMA: is overnight camping allowed?
Not unless DNR designates a site or issues a permit; WMA rules bar other camping.
Is hunting legal on Grygla 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 Grygla WMA offer?
3,444 acres in 2 subunits.
What DPA is Grygla WMA, and what is its designation?
DPA 101 (100 series, 2-deer limit). Firearms deer runs Nov 7 to Nov 22, 2026 there.
What animals can be hunted at Grygla WMA?
Deer, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, sharp-tailed grouse and waterfowl, according to the agency page for Grygla WMA.
How do hunters reach Grygla WMA?
From Grygla, go 5 miles N on CSAH 54. Lots mapped: 0.
Who holds title to Grygla WMA?
Land manager for Grygla WMA: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Thief River Falls office.
Does chronic wasting disease testing apply on Grygla WMA?
DPA 101 is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
What are the legal shooting hours at Grygla WMA?
On the Nov. 7 firearms opener, legal deer hours at Grygla WMA run 6:46 a.m. to 5:26 p.m..
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); YellowstoneNPS (Public domain).