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State forest in Cass County
Pillsbury State Forest hunting, 2026-27
Seasons, access rules and the nearest towns for this state forest in Cass County.
Photo: Ron Cogswell (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Pillsbury State Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Pillsbury State Forest
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Madden's On Gull Lake Boat LaunchBoat ramp · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 4.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 4.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.8 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.
What the file says about Pillsbury State Forest
Pillsbury State Forest adds 9,445 acres of public ground to Cass County. Line up the 8 state forests in Cass County by acres and Pillsbury State Forest comes 5th. Its deer permit area is 246 (it also reaches DPA 604); the 2026 designation there is either-sex.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources manages it. Statutory acres: 25,672; DNR-administered acres: 9,445. The legislature set it up in 1900.
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Pillsbury State Forest
Pillsbury State Forest access rules
The rows below restate the access rules on the agency record for Pillsbury State Forest.
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| 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.
Pillsbury State Forest and deer permit area 246
The 2026 designation for DPA 246 is either-sex; firearms dates follow the 200-series window. In DPA 246 the license is good for a buck or an antlerless 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 246 is voluntary. The DPA covers 802 square miles. DPA 246 counties: Cass, Wadena, Hubbard and Todd.
It also touches: DPA 604 (3-deer limit)
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Seasons open on Pillsbury State Forest
Dated seasons that apply on Pillsbury State Forest (48 rows), with today's status in the last column.
| Quarry | Season | Where | Opening | Closing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPAs 246, 604 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPAs 246, 604 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 100 series | DPA 604 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 246 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Quota areas | Quota areas 28, 45, 46, 47, 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 |
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 246 harvest, the area around Pillsbury State Forest
Harvest numbers below are DPA 246 totals (3,143 in 2025), the closest DNR figure for Pillsbury State Forest.
| Season | Bucks (adult) | Others | Registered | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,330 | 813 | 3,143 | 4.01 |
| 2024 | 2,044 | 580 | 2,624 | 3.35 |
| 2023 | 1,621 | 773 | 2,394 | 3.05 |
| 2022 | 1,523 | 1,399 | 2,922 | 3.73 |
| 2021 | 2,013 | 1,597 | 3,610 | 4.60 |
| 2020 | 1,825 | 1,706 | 3,531 | 4.50 |
| 2019 | 1,824 | 1,763 | 3,587 | 4.58 |
| 2018 | 1,936 | 1,996 | 3,932 | 4.68 |
| 2017 | 2,293 | 2,593 | 4,886 | 5.82 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Pillsbury State Forest on the map with nearby land
Big pins mark Pillsbury State Forest; Agate Rearing Pond AMA is the nearest neighbor at 5.2 mi.
| Neighbor | Category | Acreage | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agate Rearing Pond AMA | AMA | 30 | 604 | 5.2 mi | northeast |
| Love Lake AMA | AMA | 29 | 604 | 6.4 mi | east |
| Grassy Point AMA | AMA | 15 | 604 | 7.6 mi | northeast |
| Cory Brook AMA | AMA | 39 | 246 | 7.7 mi | north |
| Meadow Brook WMA | WMA | 5,750 | 246 | 7.9 mi | northwest |
| White Sand Lake AMA | AMA | 19 | 604 | 8.0 mi | east |
| Bertha Moody AMA | AMA | 211 | 604 | 10 mi | northeast |
| Crow Wing State Park | State park | 2,648 | 248, 249 | 10 mi | southeast |
Points: DNR State Forest Management Units layer (DNR-administered land) (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
What Cass County adds to a Pillsbury State Forest trip
Pillsbury State Forest is one of 69 public places we list in Cass County. Feeding ban: Cass County is inside it. Quota bear area 46, 45 and 47 overlaps the county (46 (950 permits), 45 (700 permits) and 47 (40 permits)). Turkey: permit area 508 and 507. Area wildlife office: Park Rapids Area Wildlife Office ((218) 732-8452 ext. 235). Do not mistake Pillsbury State Forest for closed Cass County ground such as Long Lake Aquatic Management Area and Poplar Creek Aquatic Management Area.
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 Pillsbury State Forest
From Pillsbury State Forest the nearest town is East Gull Lake (3.7 mi). Baxter, with 9,186 residents, is the biggest town on the list. DNR staff closest to Pillsbury State Forest work out of Brainerd (11 mi).
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Gull Lake | Cass | 1,147 | 3.7 mi | east |
| Pillager | Cass | 531 | 5.5 mi | south |
| Lake Shore | Cass | 1,123 | 7.6 mi | northeast |
| Baxter | Crow Wing | 9,186 | 9.0 mi | southeast |
| Nisswa | Crow Wing | 2,156 | 9.4 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.
Closest Minnesota ranges to Pillsbury State Forest
Lakes Area Sports (formerly Lakeshore Conservation Club), 4 miles away, is the nearest range to Pillsbury State Forest; check its access rule before going.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026.
Pillsbury State Forest legal light on key dates
Legal light at Pillsbury State Forest: 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 | 6:59 a.m. | 7:24 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. | 7:54 p.m. | 7:24 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:08 a.m. | 7:10 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. | 7:40 p.m. | 7:10 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:26 a.m. | 6:43 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. | 7:13 p.m. | 6:43 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:07 a.m. | 4:56 p.m. | 6:37 a.m. | 5:26 p.m. | 4:56 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:36 a.m. | 4:36 p.m. | 7:06 a.m. | 5:06 p.m. | 4:36 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:01 a.m. | 4:39 p.m. | 7:31 a.m. | 5:09 p.m. | 4:39 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:34 a.m. | 8:02 p.m. | 6:04 a.m. | 8:32 p.m. | 8:02 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 Pillsbury State Forest
Pillsbury State Forest questions answered from its record
If Pillsbury State Forest is full, where is the next public land?
Public ground nearest by straight line: Agate Rearing Pond AMA (5.2 mi), Love Lake AMA (6.4 mi) and Grassy Point AMA (7.6 mi).
Are tree stands allowed on Pillsbury State Forest, and for how long?
You may, but any stand left on Pillsbury State Forest becomes available to other hunters, and cutting lanes is not allowed.
Is hunting legal on Pillsbury State Forest in 2026-27?
Yes, under the rules in the table above and the state seasons.
How many acres of hunting does Pillsbury State Forest offer?
9,445 acres.
What DPA is Pillsbury State Forest, and what is its designation?
DPA 246 (200 series, either-sex). Firearms deer runs Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026 there.
What animals can be hunted at Pillsbury State Forest?
All open seasons, as the agency lists no species for Pillsbury State Forest.
How do hunters reach Pillsbury State Forest?
Head for East Gull Lake, 3.7 mi off, and use the map.
Who holds title to Pillsbury State Forest?
Land manager for Pillsbury State Forest: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Does chronic wasting disease testing apply on Pillsbury State Forest?
DPA 246 is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
What are the legal shooting hours at Pillsbury State Forest?
On the Nov. 7 firearms opener, legal deer hours at Pillsbury State Forest run 6:37 a.m. to 5:26 p.m..
Last checks before driving to Pillsbury State Forest
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted refuge areas on Pillsbury State Forest.
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: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).