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State forest in Houston County
Hunting on Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest in 2026-27
Everything we could verify about this state forest.
Photo: Sank63 (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest
- Parking areaParking · 3.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 6.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 6.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 6.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 6.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 6.2 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.
The record behind Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest, summed up
The mapped area of Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest is 48,840 acres, in Houston, Wabasha and 5 other counties. Deer rules come from DPA 341 (it also reaches DPA 605, DPA 642 and DPA 643), a 3-deer limit area in 2026. The land manager is Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Inside the statutory line (1,016,227 acres) DNR manages 48,840 acres; the rest is county, federal or private. It has been a state forest since 1961.
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest
Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest regulations in short
Read these before a first trip to Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest; they come from the agency page.
| Item | Allowed? |
|---|---|
| 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.
DPA 341 dates for Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest
For 2026, DNR made DPA 341 3-deer limit; its firearms deer season is the 200-series window. Up to 3 deer can come out of DPA 341 this season, using bonus permits for the extra antlerless deer.
| Deer season | Opens | Closes | Today |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Late southeast firearms | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 |
No mandatory CWD sampling in DPA 341; testing is optional. DPA 341 takes in 624 square miles. Part of Goodhue, Wabasha, Olmsted and Dodge falls in DPA 341.
Other DPAs: DPA 605 (5-deer limit), DPA 642 (3-deer limit), DPA 643 (5-deer limit), DPA 644 (2-deer limit), DPA 645 (5-deer limit), DPA 646 (5-deer limit), DPA 647 (5-deer limit)
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Notices before you hunt Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest
- Recent flooding may be impacting local state forest roads in Fillmore and Houston counties. Staff are assessing conditions but not all roads have been inspected for washouts. Stay safe! Proceed with caution and don't drive through areas of water over the road.
DNR WMA visitor alerts on the unit page; checked October 28, 2026. CWD rules.
Hunting seasons at Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest
50 season windows for 24 species reach Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest, filtered by the open seasons for its county.
| Game | Season | Area | From | To | Open now? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPAs 341, 605, 642, 643 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Early antlerless | DPAs 341, 605, 642, 643 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPAs 341, 605, 642, 643 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPAs 341, 605, 642, 643 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Late southeast | DPAs 341, 605, 642, 643 | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Deer | Late CWD hunt | DPAs 605, 642, 643, 645 | Dec 18, 2026 | Dec 20, 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 | |
| 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 |
Blaze orange or pink is required during the firearms deer seasons, including for most small game hunters.
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026. All Minnesota seasons.
Other places to hunt near Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest
The closest other public land to Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest is West Indian Creek AMA, 5.8 mi to the south; the table lists 8 neighbors with 36,146 acres between them.
| Name | Type | Size (ac) | Deer area | Away | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Indian Creek AMA | AMA | 22 | 642 | 5.8 mi | south |
| Pool 4 WMA | WMA | 142 | 642 | 7.0 mi | east |
| Mc Carthy Lake WMA | WMA | 3,262 | 642 | 8.5 mi | southeast |
| Whitewater WMA | WMA | 27,451 | 644 | 13 mi | southeast |
| Zumbro Falls Woods SNA | SNA | 440 | 642 | 15 mi | west |
| Whitewater State Park | State park | 2,042 | 644 | 18 mi | south |
| Frontenac State Park | State park | 2,644 | 341 | 19 mi | northwest |
| Thorpe WMA | WMA | 143 | 645 | 20 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.
Towns and offices around Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest
The town nearest Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest is Wabasha at 5.2 mi. Lake City (5,306 in 2024) is the largest of these towns. Whitewater WMA Area Wildlife Office (Altura) is the closest DNR office, 15 mi off.
| Community | County | Residents | Straight line | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wabasha | Wabasha | 2,598 | 5.2 mi | northeast |
| Kellogg | Wabasha | 426 | 5.9 mi | east |
| Millville | Wabasha | 144 | 10 mi | southwest |
| Plainview | Wabasha | 3,498 | 11 mi | south |
| Lake City | Wabasha | 5,306 | 12 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.
Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest area deer harvest by year
DPA 341 totals, which include all the land around Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest: 3,312 deer in 2025 against 2,953 in 2024.
| Year | Bucks | Does, fawns | All deer | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,579 | 1,733 | 3,312 | 5.49 |
| 2024 | 1,458 | 1,495 | 2,953 | 4.90 |
| 2023 | 1,451 | 1,583 | 3,034 | 5.03 |
| 2022 | 1,420 | 1,627 | 3,047 | 5.05 |
| 2021 | 1,488 | 1,518 | 3,006 | 4.99 |
| 2020 | 1,695 | 1,605 | 3,300 | 5.47 |
| 2019 | 1,214 | 1,566 | 2,780 | 4.59 |
| 2018 | 1,033 | 1,558 | 2,591 | 4.23 |
| 2017 | 1,054 | 1,431 | 2,485 | 4.06 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest: first legal light and last
Calculated for the exact spot of Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest, so the minutes differ a little from the county tables.
| Day | Hunt | First sun | Last sun | Start | Big game stop | Bird stop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Archery and grouse opener | 6:51 a.m. | 7:14 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. | 7:44 p.m. | 7:14 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 6:59 a.m. | 7:01 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. | 7:31 p.m. | 7:01 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:15 a.m. | 6:35 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. | 7:05 p.m. | 6:35 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 6:53 a.m. | 4:52 p.m. | 6:23 a.m. | 5:22 p.m. | 4:52 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:20 a.m. | 4:33 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. | 5:03 p.m. | 4:33 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:44 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 7:14 a.m. | 5:08 p.m. | 4:38 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:28 a.m. | 7:50 p.m. | 5:58 a.m. | 8:20 p.m. | 7:50 p.m. |
Spring turkey uses the bird column.
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.
Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest and nearby events
1 upcoming event on this property or within about 10 miles (NWTF chapter banquet). Checked October 28, 2026.
Upcoming here
| Date | Event | Miles | Where | Sign up | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 15, 2027 | Whitewater Longbeards Hunting Heritage NWTF Banquet, an NWTF chapter banquet | 6 | Kellogg | Buy tickets | Source |
Nearest public range to Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest, plus clubs
Spring Lake Park Archery Range is the nearest public range to Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest, about 53 miles away. Beside it, two sportsmen’s clubs within 30 miles.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026.
Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest and country like it, in photos
Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest FAQ for 2026-27
When does firearms deer season open on Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest?
Deer permit area 341; the 2026 designation is 3-deer limit. Firearms dates in that DPA are Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
What game is on Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest?
No per-site species list exists for Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest; legal game in season can be hunted.
What are the directions to Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest?
Drive from Wabasha (5.2 mi); the agency publishes no directions.
Which office should I call about Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest?
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources runs Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest.
What are the CWD rules on Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest?
CWD status: DPA 341 is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest: deer hours on opening day?
About 6:23 a.m. to 5:22 p.m. on opening day of firearms deer.
Any other public ground within a short drive of Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest?
Closest on the map: West Indian Creek AMA (5.8 mi), Pool 4 WMA (7.0 mi) and Mc Carthy Lake WMA (8.5 mi).
Are permanent stands allowed on Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest?
On Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest, a stand left overnight can be used by any hunter, and shooting lanes cannot be cleared.
Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest: is hunting allowed there?
Yes. Check the rules table on this page for Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest first.
Is Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest a big piece of land?
About 48,840 acres, per the agency GIS.
Before a trip to Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest
Plan with this page, then check the agency page for Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest the week you go.
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).