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WMA · Northwest region
Pembina Wildlife Management Area hunting, 2026-27
Seasons, access rules and the nearest towns for this wildlife management area in Red Lake County and 2 neighbors.
Photo: Joe Passe (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Pembina Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Pembina Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.7 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 Pembina WMA
Pembina WMA adds 6,677 acres of public ground to Red Lake, Pennington and Polk counties. Line up the 8 wildlife management areas in Red Lake County by acres and Pembina WMA comes 1st. It is made of 2 subunits, Pembina WMA (2,410 ac) and Pennington County Unit (4,266 ac).
Its deer permit area is 256; the 2026 designation there is 2-deer limit. DNR runs Pembina WMA from its Thief River Falls area office; email thiefriver.wildlife@state.mn.us. Federal aid noted by DNR for Pembina WMA: Pittman-Robertson.
In DNR's words: This unit supports a diverse assemblage of both game and nongame wildlife. It is bisected by the historic Pembina Trail, which is usually accessible by vehicle during much of the year.
Species on the record: deer, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, sharp-tailed grouse, waterfowl, wild turkey.
- 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 Pembina Wildlife Management Area
Pembina WMA route text and lots
Use these DNR directions to find Pembina WMA; the map pins its 3 parking points.
| Section | Acres | Town | Hunting | Lots | DNR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pembina WMA | 2,410 | Euclid | Open | 3 | DNR |
| Pennington County Unit | 4,266 | St. Hilaire | Open | – | DNR |
- Pembina WMA: From Euclid, go 3 miles N on a township road, then 6.5 miles E on County Road #21.
- Pennington County Unit: From St. Hilaire, go 12 miles west on Center Ave W (County Rd 3) to main parking lot on south side of road. The WMA is bisected by Center St. W (County Rd 3) and Pembina Trail NW/SW (County Rd 10), both paved roads. A parking lot is located on the south side of Center St. W. Where it passes through the WMA the Historic Pembina Trail route is a dirt track and not maintained, but it is generally accessible for much of the snow-free period by higher clearance vehicles (there are numerous potholes). A grass parking lot is located 1 mile north of Center St. W on the Historic Pembina Trail. Another grass parking lot is located along the historic trail south of Center St. W and is actually in Polk County. There are also several gravel township roads that allow access into portions of the WMA, as well as occasional pull-offs (field approaches) scattered throughout.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Pembina WMA access rules
The rows below restate the access rules on the agency record for Pembina 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.
Pembina WMA and deer permit area 256
The 2026 designation for DPA 256 is 2-deer limit; firearms dates follow the 200-series window. DPA 256 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, 200 series | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 |
CWD sampling in DPA 256 is voluntary. The DPA covers 655 square miles. DPA 256 counties: Polk, Pennington, Red Lake and Marshall.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Seasons open on Pembina WMA
Dated seasons that apply on Pembina WMA (44 rows), with today's status in the last column.
| Quarry | Season | Where | Opening | Closing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 256 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 256 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 256 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | No-quota area | No Quota Area | 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 | |
| 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 256 harvest, the area around Pembina WMA
Harvest numbers below are DPA 256 totals (1,042 in 2025), the closest DNR figure for Pembina WMA.
| Season | Bucks (adult) | Others | Registered | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 633 | 409 | 1,042 | 1.59 |
| 2024 | 631 | 402 | 1,033 | 1.58 |
| 2023 | 458 | 409 | 867 | 1.33 |
| 2022 | 501 | 511 | 1,012 | 1.55 |
| 2021 | 595 | 474 | 1,069 | 1.64 |
| 2020 | 611 | 451 | 1,062 | 1.62 |
| 2019 | 548 | 440 | 988 | 1.51 |
| 2018 | 561 | 592 | 1,153 | 1.76 |
| 2017 | 605 | 606 | 1,211 | 1.85 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Pembina WMA on the map with nearby land
Big pins mark Pembina WMA and its parking; Belgium WMA is the nearest neighbor at 4.7 mi.
| Neighbor | Category | Acreage | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium WMA | WMA | 190 | 256 | 4.7 mi | southwest |
| Higinbotham WMA | WMA | 984 | 256 | 8.8 mi | east |
| Moran WMA | WMA | 426 | 256 | 10 mi | south |
| Huot WMA | WMA | 425 | 256 | 12 mi | south |
| Stipa WMA | WMA | 162 | 256 | 15 mi | south |
| Jacksnipe WMA | WMA | 203 | 209, 257 | 19 mi | east |
| New Folden WMA | WMA | 200 | 264 | 20 mi | north |
| Marcoux WMA | WMA | 380 | 257 | 20 mi | southeast |
Points: DNR WMA boundary layer (point inside polygon (centroid falls outside) of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
What Red Lake County adds to a Pembina WMA trip
Pembina WMA is one of 8 public places we list in Red Lake County. Bear licenses in Red Lake County are no-quota, sold over the counter. Turkey: permit area 509. Area wildlife office: Thief River Falls Area Wildlife Office ((218) 219-8587).
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 Pembina WMA
From Pembina WMA the nearest town is St. Hilaire (12 mi). Thief River Falls, with 8,779 residents, is the biggest town on the list. On the DNR record, the reference town is Euclid. DNR staff closest to Pembina WMA work out of Thief River Falls (14 mi).
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Hilaire | Pennington | 256 | 12 mi | east |
| Viking | Marshall | 78 | 13 mi | north |
| Red Lake Falls | Red Lake | 1,327 | 14 mi | southeast |
| Thief River Falls | Pennington | 8,779 | 15 mi | east |
| Warren | Marshall | 1,549 | 18 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 Pembina Wildlife Management Area
Sportsmans Park, 14 miles away, is the nearest range to Pembina 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.
Pembina WMA legal light on key dates
Legal light at Pembina 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 | 7:07 a.m. | 7:33 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. | 8:03 p.m. | 7:33 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:16 a.m. | 7:18 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. | 7:48 p.m. | 7:18 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:36 a.m. | 6:49 p.m. | 7:06 a.m. | 7:19 p.m. | 6:49 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:19 a.m. | 5:01 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. | 5:31 p.m. | 5:01 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:50 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 7:20 a.m. | 5:08 p.m. | 4:38 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:16 a.m. | 4:41 p.m. | 7:46 a.m. | 5:11 p.m. | 4:41 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:40 a.m. | 8:13 p.m. | 6:10 a.m. | 8:43 p.m. | 8:13 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 Pembina WMA
Pembina WMA questions answered from its record
What DPA is Pembina WMA, and what is its designation?
DPA 256 (200 series, 2-deer limit). Firearms deer runs Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026 there.
What animals can be hunted at Pembina WMA?
Deer, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, sharp-tailed grouse, waterfowl and wild turkey, according to the agency page for Pembina WMA.
How do hunters reach Pembina WMA?
From Euclid, go 3 miles N on a township road, then 6.5 miles E on County Road #21. Lots mapped: 3.
Who holds title to Pembina WMA?
Land manager for Pembina WMA: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Thief River Falls office.
Does chronic wasting disease testing apply on Pembina WMA?
DPA 256 is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
What are the legal shooting hours at Pembina WMA?
On the Nov. 7 firearms opener, legal deer hours at Pembina WMA run 6:49 a.m. to 5:31 p.m..
If Pembina WMA is full, where is the next public land?
Public ground nearest by straight line: Belgium WMA (4.7 mi), Higinbotham WMA (8.8 mi) and Moran WMA (10 mi).
Are tree stands allowed on Pembina WMA, and for how long?
No. Portable stands and blinds come off Pembina WMA every day (northwest Minnesota has an overnight exception Nov. 1-Dec. 31), and no equipment stays overnight.
Pembina WMA: is overnight camping allowed?
Not unless DNR designates a site or issues a permit; WMA rules bar other camping.
Is hunting legal on Pembina 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 Pembina WMA offer?
6,677 acres in 2 subunits.
Other photos on this page: Matt Lavin (CC BY-SA 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); USFWS/Southeast (Public domain).