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WMA · Northeast region
Roberts-Wickstrom Wildlife Management Area hunting, 2026-27
Seasons, access rules and the nearest towns for this wildlife management area in Aitkin County.
Photo: Lorie Shaull (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Roberts-Wickstrom Wildlife Management Area
What the file says about Roberts-Wickstrom WMA
Roberts-Wickstrom WMA adds 786 acres of public ground to Aitkin County. Line up the 27 wildlife management areas in Aitkin County by acres and Roberts-Wickstrom WMA comes 11th. It is made of 2 subunits, East Unit (505 ac) and West Unit (281 ac).
Its deer permit area is 171; the 2026 designation there is antlerless permit lottery. DNR runs Roberts-Wickstrom WMA from its Aitkin area office; email aitkin.wildlife@state.mn.us.
In DNR's words: Open land on south end of the unit is managed for open land species such as sharp-tailed grouse and tree swallows. Timber on north end of the WMA is managed for deer, wood ducks, and bear. Respect private property on adjacent lands.
Species on the record: deer, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, waterfowl.
- White-tailed Deer
- Black Bear
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ruffed Grouse
- American Woodcock
- Ducks
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Roberts-Wickstrom Wildlife Management Area
Roberts-Wickstrom WMA route text and lots
Use these DNR directions to find Roberts-Wickstrom WMA; the map pins its 2 parking points.
- East Unit: From Palisade go 2 miles E. on Co. Rd. 10, 2 miles N. on 290th Place. Wheelchair access limited to graveled access road.
- West Unit: 2 miles N on Co Rd 5, 1 mile W on 499th Lane.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Roberts-Wickstrom WMA access rules
The rows below restate the access rules on the agency record for Roberts-Wickstrom 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.
Roberts-Wickstrom WMA and deer permit area 171
The 2026 designation for DPA 171 is antlerless permit lottery, and 500 antlerless permits go out by lottery; firearms dates follow the 100-series window. Antlerless deer in DPA 171 need a lottery permit for the firearms seasons; the declaration deadline was Sept. 10.
| Hunt | First day | Last day | Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
CWD sampling in DPA 171 is voluntary. The DPA covers 769 square miles. DPA 171 counties: Aitkin, Cass and Crow Wing.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Seasons open on Roberts-Wickstrom WMA
Dated seasons that apply on Roberts-Wickstrom WMA (35 rows), with today's status in the last column.
| Quarry | Season | Where | Opening | Closing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 171 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 171 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 100 series | DPA 171 | 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 171 harvest, the area around Roberts-Wickstrom WMA
Harvest numbers below are DPA 171 totals (1,165 in 2025), the closest DNR figure for Roberts-Wickstrom WMA.
| Season | Bucks (adult) | Others | Registered | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 959 | 206 | 1,165 | 1.57 |
| 2024 | 880 | 188 | 1,068 | 1.44 |
| 2023 | 664 | 155 | 819 | 1.11 |
| 2022 | 632 | 348 | 980 | 1.32 |
| 2021 | 746 | 386 | 1,132 | 1.53 |
| 2020 | 460 | 604 | 1,064 | 1.70 |
| 2019 | 626 | 651 | 1,277 | 2.04 |
| 2018 | 916 | 853 | 1,769 | 2.52 |
| 2017 | 1,161 | 1,544 | 2,705 | 3.86 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Roberts-Wickstrom WMA on the map with nearby land
Big pins mark Roberts-Wickstrom WMA and its parking; Wold WMA is the nearest neighbor at 4.9 mi.
| Neighbor | Category | Acreage | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wold WMA | WMA | 425 | 171 | 4.9 mi | east |
| Gun Lake WMA | WMA | 829 | 171 | 5.4 mi | southwest |
| Willowsippi WMA | WMA | 1,693 | 171 | 6.0 mi | north |
| Sandy Lake Resevoir WMA | WMA | 24 | 171, 173 | 7.9 mi | east |
| Flowage Lake AMA | AMA | 26 | 171 | 7.9 mi | east |
| Big Sandy AMA | AMA | 52 | 173 | 8.5 mi | east |
| French Lake WMA | WMA | 535 | 171 | 9.3 mi | southwest |
| Waukenabo State Forest | State forest | 15,624 | 155, 171 | 11 mi | southwest |
Points: DNR WMA boundary layer (point inside polygon (centroid falls outside) of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
What Aitkin County adds to a Roberts-Wickstrom WMA trip
Roberts-Wickstrom WMA is one of 43 public places we list in Aitkin County. Feeding ban: Aitkin County is inside it. Quota bear area 51 overlaps the county (51 (1500 permits)). Turkey: permit area 508. Area wildlife office: Aitkin Area Wildlife Office ((218) 429-3053). Do not mistake Roberts-Wickstrom WMA for closed Aitkin County ground such as Cedar Lake Aquatic Management Area and Glacier Lake 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 Roberts-Wickstrom WMA
From Roberts-Wickstrom WMA the nearest town is Palisade (2.3 mi). Aitkin, with 2,174 residents, is the biggest town on the list. On the DNR record, the reference town is Palisade. DNR staff closest to Roberts-Wickstrom WMA work out of Aitkin (19 mi).
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palisade | Aitkin | 169 | 2.3 mi | southwest |
| McGregor | Aitkin | 378 | 12 mi | southeast |
| Tamarack | Aitkin | 61 | 17 mi | east |
| Hill City | Aitkin | 615 | 18 mi | north |
| Aitkin | Aitkin | 2,174 | 19 mi | southwest |
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 Roberts-Wickstrom Wildlife Management Area
Minnewawa Sportsmen's Club, 10 miles away, is the nearest range to Roberts-Wickstrom 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.
Roberts-Wickstrom WMA legal light on key dates
Legal light at Roberts-Wickstrom 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 | 6:55 a.m. | 7:20 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. | 7:50 p.m. | 7:20 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:04 a.m. | 7:06 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. | 7:36 p.m. | 7:06 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:23 a.m. | 6:38 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. | 7:08 p.m. | 6:38 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:04 a.m. | 4:52 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. | 5:22 p.m. | 4:52 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:34 a.m. | 4:31 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. | 5:01 p.m. | 4:31 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:58 a.m. | 4:34 p.m. | 7:28 a.m. | 5:04 p.m. | 4:34 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:30 a.m. | 7:59 p.m. | 6:00 a.m. | 8:29 p.m. | 7:59 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 Roberts-Wickstrom WMA
Roberts-Wickstrom WMA questions answered from its record
What are the legal shooting hours at Roberts-Wickstrom WMA?
On the Nov. 7 firearms opener, legal deer hours at Roberts-Wickstrom WMA run 6:34 a.m. to 5:22 p.m..
If Roberts-Wickstrom WMA is full, where is the next public land?
Public ground nearest by straight line: Wold WMA (4.9 mi), Gun Lake WMA (5.4 mi) and Willowsippi WMA (6.0 mi).
Are tree stands allowed on Roberts-Wickstrom WMA, and for how long?
No. Portable stands and blinds come off Roberts-Wickstrom WMA every day (northwest Minnesota has an overnight exception Nov. 1-Dec. 31), and no equipment stays overnight.
Roberts-Wickstrom WMA: is overnight camping allowed?
Not unless DNR designates a site or issues a permit; WMA rules bar other camping.
Is hunting legal on Roberts-Wickstrom 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 Roberts-Wickstrom WMA offer?
786 acres in 2 subunits.
What DPA is Roberts-Wickstrom WMA, and what is its designation?
DPA 171 (100 series, antlerless permit lottery). Firearms deer runs Nov 7 to Nov 22, 2026 there.
What animals can be hunted at Roberts-Wickstrom WMA?
Deer, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock and waterfowl, according to the agency page for Roberts-Wickstrom WMA.
How do hunters reach Roberts-Wickstrom WMA?
From Palisade go 2 miles E. on Co. Rd. 10, 2 miles N. on 290th Place. Lots mapped: 2.
Who holds title to Roberts-Wickstrom WMA?
Land manager for Roberts-Wickstrom WMA: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Aitkin office.
Does chronic wasting disease testing apply on Roberts-Wickstrom WMA?
DPA 171 is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
Last checks before driving to Roberts-Wickstrom WMA
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted refuge areas on Roberts-Wickstrom WMA.
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: USFWS Midwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0); YellowstoneNPS (Public domain); GerryT (CC BY 2.0).