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WMA · 2026-27
Orwell Wildlife Management Area hunting guide and rules
Everything we could verify about this wildlife management area in Otter Tail County.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Orwell Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Orwell Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.8 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.
Orwell WMA: acres, owner and deer area
Orwell WMA spreads over 2,129 acres of Otter Tail County. Of 37 wildlife management areas in Otter Tail County, Orwell WMA is number 1 by acreage. Hunters on Orwell WMA follow DPA 270, which DNR made antlerless permit lottery for 2026.
The DNR Fergus Falls area wildlife office manages it (fergusfalls.wildlife@state.mn.us). The Orwell WMA record names Army License federal aid. DNR flags all of its subunits as wildlife sanctuary without posting closure text; ask the area office first.
From the DNR unit description: Wildlife sanctuary subunit(s) (DNR flag): Orwell WMA; check posted sanctuary/no-trespass periods.
Game species: deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey.
- White-tailed Deer
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- Ducks
- Canada Goose
- Wild Turkey
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Orwell Wildlife Management Area
Parking lots and routes for Orwell WMA
Orwell WMA has 8 DNR parking points; directions below are the DNR route text.
| Subunit | Acres | Nearest town | Hunting | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orwell WMA | 2,129 | Fergus Falls | Open | 8 | DNR |
- Orwell WMA: From Fergus Falls, go 5 miles S on CSAH 1 then 3 1/2 miles W on CSAH 2.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Map: Orwell WMA and its neighbors
8 public areas lie within 45 miles of Orwell WMA, adding 3,615 acres; Busko WPA is closest.
| Public land | Type | Acres | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Busko WPA | WPA | 468 | 270 | 1.9 mi | southeast |
| Neumann WPA | WPA | 315 | 270 | 2.7 mi | east |
| Jorgenson WPA | WPA | 237 | 270 | 3.2 mi | southwest |
| Rossow WPA | WPA | 90 | 270 | 3.4 mi | east |
| Kube WPA | WPA | 408 | 270, 273 | 3.8 mi | east |
| Rush Lake WPA | WPA | 334 | 270 | 4.1 mi | north |
| Ridgeway WPA | WPA | 1,603 | 270 | 4.2 mi | northwest |
| Prairie Ridge WMA | WMA | 160 | 270 | 4.6 mi | southwest |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Orwell WMA: the use rules
These are the use rules the agency lists for Orwell WMA; posted signs on site still govern.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| 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 |
- Orwell WMA: Small game hunting restricted in controlled hunting zones (MR 6230.0900). Reason given: Controlled hunting zone/Canada geese.
- Orwell WMA is one of five DNR controlled hunting zones, so goose and duck hunters use the designated stations.
Sources: record, agency rules; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
When you can hunt Orwell WMA
Every dated hunting window for Orwell WMA: 19 species, 42 rows.
| Game | Segment | Where | Starts | Ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 270 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 270 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 270 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 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 | |
| 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 |
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.
Orwell WMA deer calendar and limits
DPA 270 (200 series) is antlerless permit lottery in 2026; the antlerless lottery quota is 150. Without a lottery permit, firearm hunters in DPA 270 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, 200 series | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 |
Opening-weekend sampling is required in this surveillance block DPA. Area of DPA 270: 746 sq mi. Counties in DPA 270: Wilkin, Otter Tail and Grant.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
How many deer DPA 270 gives up around Orwell WMA
DNR reports harvest by deer permit area, not by WMA or county; DPA 270 registered 330 deer in 2025, 9% up on 2024.
| Year | Adult bucks | Other deer | Total | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 278 | 52 | 330 | 0.44 |
| 2024 | 274 | 30 | 304 | 0.41 |
| 2023 | 191 | 56 | 247 | 0.33 |
| 2022 | 246 | 63 | 309 | 0.41 |
| 2021 | 275 | 64 | 339 | 0.45 |
| 2020 | 307 | 98 | 405 | 0.54 |
| 2019 | 272 | 65 | 337 | 0.45 |
| 2018 | 254 | 87 | 341 | 0.46 |
| 2017 | 230 | 57 | 287 | 0.38 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Orwell WMA: towns, DNR office and shops
Orwell WMA is 6.3 mi from Fergus Falls, the nearest community. Directions on the DNR page begin at Fergus Falls. Fergus Falls has the nearest DNR office to Orwell WMA, 6.9 mi away.
| Nearest towns | County | Population | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fergus Falls | Otter Tail | 14,258 | 6.3 mi | northeast |
| Foxhome | Wilkin | 121 | 9.2 mi | northwest |
| Dalton | Otter Tail | 214 | 11 mi | east |
| Elizabeth | Otter Tail | 165 | 12 mi | north |
| Wendell | Grant | 167 | 12 mi | south |
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 Orwell WMA
Our Otter Tail County list runs to 164 public areas, including Orwell WMA. Bear licenses here come from quota area 45 (45 (700 permits)). Turkey permit area here: 507 and 506. The county's nearest wildlife office is Fergus Falls Area Wildlife Office in Fergus Falls. Otter Tail County also has 7 closed places, Gilmore Waterfowl Production 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 Orwell Wildlife Management Area
Fergus Falls Rifle & Pistol Club sits 6 miles from Orwell Wildlife Management Area, closer than any public range on file. Target shooting is off limits here.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026; target shooting rule from the DNR WMA rules.
Scheduled close to Orwell Wildlife Management Area
1 upcoming event here or nearby as of October 28, 2026.
Coming up
| Held on | Event | Mi | Where held | Link | Checked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 21, 2026 | Maidens of the Marshes 2026 DU Banquet, a DU ladies dinner | 6 | Fergus Falls Eagles #2339 | Buy tickets | Source |
Orwell WMA country, seen through a lens
Orwell WMA: sunrise, sunset and legal hours
These Orwell WMA 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 | 7:06 a.m. | 7:31 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. | 8:01 p.m. | 7:31 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:15 a.m. | 7:17 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. | 7:47 p.m. | 7:17 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:33 a.m. | 6:50 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. | 7:20 p.m. | 6:50 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:13 a.m. | 5:04 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. | 5:34 p.m. | 5:04 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:43 a.m. | 4:43 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. | 5:13 p.m. | 4:43 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:07 a.m. | 4:47 p.m. | 7:37 a.m. | 5:17 p.m. | 4:47 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:42 a.m. | 8:09 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. | 8:39 p.m. | 8:09 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.
Orwell WMA: what hunters usually ask
What size is the Orwell WMA unit?
Agency maps put it at 2,129 acres.
Orwell WMA: which DPA sets the deer rules?
DPA 270, antlerless permit lottery for 2026. The rifle and shotgun season goes Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
What is there to hunt on Orwell WMA?
On the Orwell WMA record the game list reads deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl and wild turkey.
Where do you park at Orwell WMA?
From Fergus Falls, go 5 miles S on CSAH 1 then 3 1/2 miles W on CSAH 2. DNR maps 8 parking points.
Who should I contact about Orwell WMA?
Orwell WMA belongs to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; the Fergus Falls office looks after it.
Is Orwell WMA inside a CWD zone?
Orwell WMA sits in DPA 270, which is in the 2026 surveillance block (mandatory sampling Nov. 7-8).
What time can you shoot deer at Orwell WMA on Nov. 7?
Nov. 7: 6:43 a.m. to 5:34 p.m. for deer, sunrise 7:13 a.m..
What other public tracts sit near Orwell WMA?
Orwell WMA neighbors on our list: Busko WPA (1.9 mi), Neumann WPA (2.7 mi) and Jorgenson WPA (Otter Tail County) (3.2 mi).
Orwell WMA: what are the stand and blind rules?
Take it down each evening. Orwell WMA follows the WMA rule on daily removal of stands, blinds and other gear.
Are there campsites on Orwell WMA?
WMA rules allow camping only in designated areas or with a permit.
Is Orwell WMA public ground you can hunt?
Yes. A Minnesota license for the game you hunt is all you need on Orwell WMA; WMA rules cover vehicles, stands and camping.
Orwell WMA 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; regulations from the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Other photos on this page: ShenandoahNPS (Public domain); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); USFWS/Southeast (CC BY 2.0).