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Long Prairie River Wildlife Management Area hunting, season by season
965 acres of public land open to hunters in Todd County, with DPA 214 deer dates.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Long Prairie River Wildlife Management Area
Long Prairie River WMA in brief, from the agency file
965 acres of Todd County belong to Long Prairie River WMA. Size rank in Todd County: 4th of 30 wildlife management areas. DNR splits it into 2 subunits: South Unit (262 ac) and North Unit (703 ac).
For deer it falls in DPA 214, set at 3-deer limit for 2026. Questions go to the Little Falls DNR wildlife office at littlefalls.wildlife@state.mn.us. Its DNR record carries the federal aid code Pittman-Robertson.
DNR notes on the habitat: Management of this unit focuses on maintaining and improving the habitat for a diversity of native plants and wildlife, with emphasis on managing grassland habitats.
Game listed: deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl.
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Long Prairie River Wildlife Management Area
Subunits and parking at Long Prairie River WMA
Each subunit of Long Prairie River WMA has its own DNR page; the map below pins 5 parking spots.
- South Unit: From Browerville, go 5 miles north on county road 21, then 2 miles east on township road. Limited disabled access to township road. Access on township road and two parking lots located on the north and west side of the WMA
- North Unit: From Browerville, go 5 miles north on county road 21, then 2 miles east on township road. Disabled access is limited to the township roads and parking lots
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Long Prairie River WMA pinned among nearby tracts
Turtle Creek WMA lies 3.5 mi southeast of Long Prairie River WMA, the nearest of 8 public areas within 45 miles.
| Area | Type | Acres | DPA | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turtle Creek WMA | WMA | 320 | 214 | 3.5 mi | southeast |
| Kobliska WMA | WMA | 411 | 214 | 4.3 mi | northeast |
| Sheets Lake WMA | WMA | 132 | 214 | 5.7 mi | south |
| Hartford WMA | WMA | 162 | 214 | 7.2 mi | south |
| Ruff-Nik WMA | WMA | 1,059 | 214 | 7.4 mi | east |
| Staples WMA | WMA | 1,428 | 214 | 9.2 mi | north |
| Philbrook WMA | WMA | 337 | 214 | 10 mi | northeast |
| Lawrence Lake WMA | WMA | 202 | 214 | 11 mi | north |
Points: DNR WMA boundary layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Rules for hunting Long Prairie River WMA
Site rules for Long Prairie River 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 |
- Motorized vehicles are prohibited on the WMA except on designated routes and parking lots. Off-highway vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles and motorized watercraft are prohibited anywhere on the WMA.
- Motorized vehicles are prohibited on the WMA except on designated routes and parking lots. Off-highway vehicles (OHVs), all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), snowmobiles and motorized watercraft are prohibited anywhere on the WMA.
Sources: record, agency rules; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Long Prairie River WMA season dates
This table covers Long Prairie River 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 214 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Early antlerless | DPA 214 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 214 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 214 | 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 | |
| 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 Long Prairie River WMA
200-series DPA 214 carries the 3-deer limit designation this year. With bonus permits, a hunter can fill the 3-deer limit in DPA 214.
| Season | Starts | Ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Youth deer | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Early antlerless | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Firearms, 200 series | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 |
Adult deer shot Nov. 7-8 here must be sampled. Size of DPA 214: 561 square miles. Todd, Morrison and Wadena share DPA 214.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Deer harvest around Long Prairie River WMA (DPA 214)
The whole of DPA 214 gave up 4,781 deer in 2025; the DNR publishes no figure for Long Prairie River WMA itself.
| Year | Adult male | Rest | Harvest | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,236 | 2,545 | 4,781 | 8.63 |
| 2024 | 2,109 | 2,271 | 4,380 | 7.90 |
| 2023 | 1,685 | 2,378 | 4,063 | 7.33 |
| 2022 | 1,759 | 2,374 | 4,133 | 7.46 |
| 2021 | 2,103 | 2,909 | 5,012 | 9.05 |
| 2020 | 2,238 | 3,242 | 5,480 | 9.89 |
| 2019 | 2,061 | 2,528 | 4,589 | 8.28 |
| 2018 | 1,863 | 2,593 | 4,456 | 8.04 |
| 2017 | 1,893 | 2,794 | 4,687 | 8.46 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Long Prairie River WMA nearby towns
Browerville is the closest town to Long Prairie River WMA, about 6.4 mi away. The largest nearby is Long Prairie (3,710 people). The DNR detail page starts its directions from Browerville. For questions, the Little Falls DNR office is 25 mi from Long Prairie River WMA.
| Town | County | Pop. 2024 | Miles off | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Browerville | Todd | 829 | 6.4 mi | southwest |
| Clarissa | Todd | 661 | 7.3 mi | west |
| Eagle Bend | Todd | 543 | 11 mi | west |
| Long Prairie | Todd | 3,710 | 13 mi | south |
| Motley | Morrison | 686 | 14 mi | northeast |
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.
Long Prairie River WMA: Todd County facts
Counting Long Prairie River WMA, Todd County has 40 listed public areas. For bear, Todd County lies partly in quota area 45; 2026 permits: 45 (700 permits). Todd County turkey hunters declare area 507. County questions go to Little Falls Area Wildlife Office, Little Falls. 2 places in Todd County are closed to hunting, such as Jensen Aquatic Management 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 Long Prairie River Wildlife Management Area
Three ranges near Long Prairie River Wildlife Management Area follow, starting with Rooster Ridge Hunting Club at 6 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.
Long Prairie River Wildlife Management Area and nearby events
On the ground itself or close by: 1 upcoming event, covering NWTF chapter banquet.
Next on the calendar
| When | Listing | Distance | Venue | Tickets or seats | Read at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 6, 2027 | Struttin Blackbeards Banquet, an NWTF chapter banquet | 7 | Clarissa | Buy tickets | Source |
A look at the landscape around Long Prairie River WMA
Long Prairie River WMA shooting hours on key dates
Times are worked out for the Long Prairie River 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 | 7:01 a.m. | 7:25 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. | 7:55 p.m. | 7:25 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 | 7:28 a.m. | 6:44 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. | 7:14 p.m. | 6:44 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:08 a.m. | 4:58 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. | 5:28 p.m. | 4:58 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:37 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. | 5:08 p.m. | 4:38 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:02 a.m. | 4:42 p.m. | 7:32 a.m. | 5:12 p.m. | 4:42 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:36 a.m. | 8:03 p.m. | 6:06 a.m. | 8:33 p.m. | 8:03 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 Long Prairie River WMA
Roughly how large is the Long Prairie River WMA unit?
The mapped size is 965 acres in 2 subunits.
Can you hunt on Long Prairie River WMA this season?
Yes. Hunting and trapping are open on state WMAs during regular seasons unless DNR posts an exception, and Long Prairie River WMA shows open hunting status.
Which species does Long Prairie River WMA hold?
Game on the agency list for Long Prairie River WMA: deer, small game, pheasant and waterfowl.
Which deer permit area holds Long Prairie River WMA?
Long Prairie River WMA falls in DPA 214, 3-deer limit. Expect the firearms season from Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Who do I call about Long Prairie River WMA?
Long Prairie River WMA falls under Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Little Falls office).
Where is the access for Long Prairie River WMA?
From Browerville, go 5 miles north on county road 21, then 2 miles east on township road. The map above shows 5 parking pins.
How early does shooting start at Long Prairie River WMA on the opener?
Opening day of the firearms season: shooting from 6:38 a.m., done by 5:28 p.m..
Is CWD sampling required at Long Prairie River WMA?
DNR lists DPA 214 as in the 2026 surveillance block (mandatory sampling Nov. 7-8).
Can I leave a stand on Long Prairie River WMA overnight?
Daily removal applies on Long Prairie River WMA, so plan on a climber or a hang-on you carry out.
Which public ground lies closest to Long Prairie River WMA?
Next-closest public land: Turtle Creek WMA (3.5 mi), Kobliska WMA (4.3 mi) and Sheets Lake WMA (5.7 mi).
Can I camp on Long Prairie River WMA during the season?
Generally no: designated areas or a permit only.
Long Prairie River 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: PierreSelim (CC BY 3.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); USFWS Mountain Prairie (CC BY 2.0).