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State forest · 2026-27
Nemadji State Forest hunting guide and rules
Everything we could verify about this state forest in Pine County and 1 neighbor.
Photo: Sharon Mollerus (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Nemadji State Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Nemadji State Forest
- Parking areaParking · 4.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 6.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 6.9 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.
Nemadji State Forest: acres, owner and deer area
Nemadji State Forest spreads over 90,057 acres of Pine and Carlton counties. Of 5 state forests in Pine County, Nemadji State Forest is number 1 by acreage. Hunters on Nemadji State Forest follow DPA 154, which DNR made antlerless permit lottery for 2026.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources runs this land. Not all of the 95,441 statutory acres are state land; DNR holds 90,057. Established: 1935.
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Nemadji State Forest
Map: Nemadji State Forest and its neighbors
8 public areas lie within 45 miles of Nemadji State Forest, adding 12,211 acres; Klondike Trail RGMA is closest.
| Public land | Type | Acres | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Klondike Trail RGMA | RGMA | 3,503 | 154 | 3.0 mi | northwest |
| Black Lake Bog SNA | SNA | 1,461 | 154 | 4.6 mi | northeast |
| William M. Rath WMA | WMA | 845 | 154 | 6.4 mi | west |
| Hjalmar & Frances Storlie WMA | WMA | 79 | 154 | 7.1 mi | northwest |
| Blackhoof River WMA | WMA | 4,510 | 153, 154 | 13 mi | north |
| Dye WMA | WMA | 161 | 153 | 13 mi | northwest |
| Sand Creek AMA | AMA | 81 | 154 | 13 mi | southwest |
| Blackhoof River AMA | AMA | 1,572 | 153, 154 | 13 mi | north |
Points: DNR State Forest Management Units layer (DNR-administered land) (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Nemadji State Forest: the use rules
These are the use rules the agency lists for Nemadji State Forest; posted signs on site still govern.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Hunting, trapping | Open in season |
| Game refuges inside | Closed unless listed |
| Near campgrounds, lots | Cased within 200 ft |
| Stands | Portable preferred |
| Shooting lanes | No cutting |
| Private inholdings | Permission needed |
| Target shooting | Unless posted closed |
| Forest roads | OHVs unless posted |
Sources: record; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
When you can hunt Nemadji State Forest
Every dated hunting window for Nemadji State Forest: 24 species, 48 rows.
| Game | Segment | Where | Starts | Ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 154 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 154 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 100 series | DPA 154 | 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 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring archery-only | Statewide | Apr 14, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period A | Statewide | Apr 14, 2027 | Apr 20, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth | Statewide | Apr 14, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period B | Statewide | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period C | Statewide | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period D | Statewide | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period E | Statewide | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period F | Statewide | May 19, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| 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 | |
| Rails | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Dec 16, 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 |
Pheasant shooting starts at 9 a.m.; ducks, geese and small game stop at sunset.
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026. All Minnesota seasons.
Nemadji State Forest deer calendar and limits
DPA 154 (100 series) is antlerless permit lottery in 2026; the antlerless lottery quota is 25. Without a lottery permit, firearm hunters in DPA 154 are limited to a buck.
| Season | Begins | Through | Today |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Testing for CWD is optional in DPA 154. Area of DPA 154: 315 sq mi. Counties in DPA 154: Pine and Carlton.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Nemadji State Forest: towns, DNR office and shops
Nemadji State Forest is 9.3 mi from Kerrick, the nearest community. Moose Lake is the bigger town nearby at 3,003 people. Cloquet has the nearest DNR office to Nemadji State Forest, 29 mi away.
| Nearest towns | County | Population | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kerrick | Pine | 76 | 9.3 mi | west |
| Bruno | Pine | 83 | 14 mi | west |
| Barnum | Carlton | 610 | 19 mi | northwest |
| Mahtowa | Carlton | – | 19 mi | northwest |
| Moose Lake | Carlton | 3,003 | 19 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.
County rules that reach Nemadji State Forest
Our Pine County list runs to 31 public areas, including Nemadji State Forest. Bear licenses here come from quota area 51 (51 (1500 permits)). Turkey permit area here: 508. The county's nearest wildlife office is Mille Lacs WMA Area Wildlife Office in Onamia. Pine County also has 4 closed places, Bang's Brook Aquatic Management Area among them.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Shooting lines in reach of Nemadji State Forest
Schelonka's Concealed Carry sits 24 miles from Nemadji State Forest, closer than any public range on file.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026.
Nemadji State Forest country, seen through a lens
Nemadji State Forest: sunrise, sunset and legal hours
These Nemadji State Forest hours use the NOAA solar formula for the unit's coordinates.
| When | Event | Rise | Set | Opens | Deer, bear end | Birds end |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Archery and grouse opener | 6:51 a.m. | 7:16 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. | 7:46 p.m. | 7:16 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:00 a.m. | 7:02 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. | 7:32 p.m. | 7:02 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:18 a.m. | 6:35 p.m. | 6:48 a.m. | 7:05 p.m. | 6:35 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 6:58 a.m. | 4:48 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. | 5:18 p.m. | 4:48 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:28 a.m. | 4:28 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. | 4:58 p.m. | 4:28 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:53 a.m. | 4:32 p.m. | 7:23 a.m. | 5:02 p.m. | 4:32 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:26 a.m. | 7:54 p.m. | 5:56 a.m. | 8:24 p.m. | 7:54 p.m. |
Clock times include Daylight Saving Time until Nov. 1.
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.
Nemadji State Forest: what hunters usually ask
Where do you park at Nemadji State Forest?
Kerrick is 9.3 mi away; the map shows the point.
Who should I contact about Nemadji State Forest?
Nemadji State Forest belongs to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Is Nemadji State Forest inside a CWD zone?
Nemadji State Forest sits in DPA 154, which is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
What time can you shoot deer at Nemadji State Forest on Nov. 7?
Nov. 7: 6:28 a.m. to 5:18 p.m. for deer, sunrise 6:58 a.m..
What other public tracts sit near Nemadji State Forest?
Nemadji State Forest neighbors on our list: Klondike Trail RGMA (3.0 mi), Black Lake Bog SNA (4.6 mi) and William M. Rath WMA (6.4 mi).
Nemadji State Forest: what are the stand and blind rules?
Leave one if you like, but on Nemadji State Forest it is open to anyone, and trees cannot be cut for lanes.
Is Nemadji State Forest public ground you can hunt?
It is open to hunting, with the access rules the agency lists for Nemadji State Forest.
What size is the Nemadji State Forest unit?
Agency maps put it at 90,057 acres.
Nemadji State Forest: which DPA sets the deer rules?
DPA 154, antlerless permit lottery for 2026. The rifle and shotgun season goes Nov 7 to Nov 22, 2026.
What is there to hunt on Nemadji State Forest?
No species are named for Nemadji State Forest, so the open seasons decide.
Nemadji State Forest trip checklist from this page
No paper tags in Minnesota: validate the electronic license where the animal falls, then register it on time.
Sources: source · 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); Chad Davis. (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).