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WMA · Central region
Root River Wildlife Management Area hunting, 2026-27
Seasons, access rules and the nearest towns for this wildlife management area in Houston County.
Photo: Sank63 (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Root River Wildlife Management Area
What the file says about Root River WMA
Root River WMA adds 948 acres of public ground to Houston County. Line up the 7 wildlife management areas in Houston County by acres and Root River WMA comes 2nd. It is made of 2 subunits, Main Unit (896 ac) and West Unit (52 ac).
Its deer permit area is 646 (it also reaches DPA 649); the 2026 designation there is 5-deer limit. DNR runs Root River WMA from its Rochester area office; email rochester.wildlife@state.mn.us. Federal aid noted by DNR for Root River WMA: NAWCA Great River Cooridor Initiative.
In DNR's words: Management emphasis is to maintain a rich, diverse interspersion of several communities. Timber management, prescribed burning, food plots, nesting cover development and maintenance are utilized.
Species on the record: deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey, mourning dove.
- White-tailed Deer
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ruffed Grouse
- American Woodcock
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- Ducks
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Root River Wildlife Management Area
Root River WMA route text and lots
Use these DNR directions to find Root River WMA; the map pins its 0 parking points.
- Main Unit: From Hokah, go 1/4 mile N on SH 16 Walk in access, Walcker road has been abandoned by Township and gates installed.
- West Unit: From Hokah, go 1/4 mile N on SH 16 Access off State Hwy 16.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Root River WMA access rules
The rows below restate the access rules on the agency record for Root River 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.
Root River WMA and deer permit area 646
The 2026 designation for DPA 646 is 5-deer limit; firearms dates follow the 200-series window. DPA 646 allows 5 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 | |
| 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 | |
| Late CWD hunt | Dec 18, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 |
DNR lists DPA 646 in the CWD management zone. Expect the Dec. 18-20 late CWD season in DPA 646. Three-buck rule: DPA 646. A carcass disposal rule covers the area. The DPA covers 327 square miles. DPA 646 counties: Winona, Houston and Fillmore.
It also touches: DPA 649 (5-deer limit)
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Seasons open on Root River WMA
Dated seasons that apply on Root River WMA (47 rows), with today's status in the last column.
| Quarry | Season | Where | Opening | Closing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPAs 646, 649 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Early antlerless | DPAs 646, 649 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPAs 646, 649 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPAs 646, 649 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Late southeast | DPAs 646, 649 | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Deer | Late CWD hunt | DPAs 646, 649 | Dec 18, 2026 | Dec 20, 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 | |
| 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 646 harvest, the area around Root River WMA
Harvest numbers below are DPA 646 totals (2,832 in 2025), the closest DNR figure for Root River WMA.
| Season | Bucks (adult) | Others | Registered | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,266 | 1,566 | 2,832 | 8.88 |
| 2024 | 1,205 | 1,299 | 2,504 | 7.85 |
| 2023 | 1,098 | 1,181 | 2,279 | 7.14 |
| 2022 | 1,122 | 1,296 | 2,418 | 7.58 |
| 2021 | 1,150 | 1,308 | 2,458 | 7.71 |
| 2020 | 1,339 | 1,576 | 2,915 | 9.14 |
| 2019 | 1,398 | 1,642 | 3,040 | 9.53 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Root River WMA on the map with nearby land
Big pins mark Root River WMA; Mound Prairie SNA is the nearest neighbor at 3.4 mi.
| Neighbor | Category | Acreage | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mound Prairie SNA | SNA | 262 | 649 | 3.4 mi | west |
| Mound Prairie WMA | WMA | 437 | 646, 649 | 3.9 mi | west |
| Brownsville Bluff SNA | SNA | 285 | 649 | 7.5 mi | southeast |
| Great River Bluffs State Park, 2,130 ac | State park | 2,130 | 646 | 12 mi | north |
| King's and Queen's Bluffs SNA | SNA | 212 | 646 | 13 mi | north |
| Beaver Creek Valley State Park, 754 ac | State park | 754 | 649 | 14 mi | southwest |
| Upper Mississippi River Refuge (Minnesota portion) | Wildlife refuge | 19,205 | 642, 645 | 15 mi | south |
| Chisholm Valley WMA | WMA | 80 | 649 | 16 mi | west |
Points: DNR WMA boundary layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
What Houston County adds to a Root River WMA trip
Root River WMA is one of 12 public places we list in Houston County. Feeding ban: Houston County is inside it. Houston County is on the shotgun-only ordinance list: shotgun-only ordinance. Bear licenses in Houston County are no-quota, sold over the counter. Turkey: permit area 501. Area wildlife office: Whitewater WMA Area Wildlife Office ((507) 796-3281). Do not mistake Root River WMA for closed Houston County ground such as Badger Creek Aquatic Management Area and Bee 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 Root River WMA
From Root River WMA the nearest town is Hokah (0.7 mi). La Crescent, with 5,257 residents, is the biggest town on the list. On the DNR record, the reference town is Hokah. DNR staff closest to Root River WMA work out of Altura (40 mi).
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hokah | Houston | 535 | 0.7 mi | south |
| La Crescent | Houston | 5,257 | 4.8 mi | northeast |
| Brownsville | Houston | 545 | 5.7 mi | southeast |
| Dresbach | Winona | – | 8.1 mi | north |
| Dakota | Winona | 290 | 9.8 mi | north |
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 Root River Wildlife Management Area
Gopher State Sportsmen's Club, 4 miles away, is the nearest range to Root River 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.
Root River WMA legal light on key dates
Legal light at Root River 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 | 6:48 a.m. | 7:11 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. | 7:41 p.m. | 7:11 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 6:56 a.m. | 6:58 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. | 7:28 p.m. | 6:58 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:12 a.m. | 6:32 p.m. | 6:42 a.m. | 7:02 p.m. | 6:32 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 6:48 a.m. | 4:50 p.m. | 6:18 a.m. | 5:20 p.m. | 4:50 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:16 a.m. | 4:32 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. | 5:02 p.m. | 4:32 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:39 a.m. | 4:37 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. | 5:07 p.m. | 4:37 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:26 a.m. | 7:46 p.m. | 5:56 a.m. | 8:16 p.m. | 7:46 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 Root River WMA
Root River WMA questions answered from its record
Are tree stands allowed on Root River WMA, and for how long?
No. Portable stands and blinds come off Root River WMA every day (northwest Minnesota has an overnight exception Nov. 1-Dec. 31), and no equipment stays overnight.
Root River WMA: is overnight camping allowed?
Not unless DNR designates a site or issues a permit; WMA rules bar other camping.
Is hunting legal on Root River 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 Root River WMA offer?
948 acres in 2 subunits.
What DPA is Root River WMA, and what is its designation?
DPA 646 (600 series, 5-deer limit). Firearms deer runs Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026 there.
What animals can be hunted at Root River WMA?
Deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey and mourning dove, according to the agency page for Root River WMA.
How do hunters reach Root River WMA?
From Hokah, go 1/4 mile N on SH 16 Lots mapped: 0.
Who holds title to Root River WMA?
Land manager for Root River WMA: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Rochester office.
Does chronic wasting disease testing apply on Root River WMA?
DPA 646 is in the CWD management zone.
What are the legal shooting hours at Root River WMA?
On the Nov. 7 firearms opener, legal deer hours at Root River WMA run 6:18 a.m. to 5:20 p.m..
If Root River WMA is full, where is the next public land?
Public ground nearest by straight line: Mound Prairie SNA (3.4 mi), Mound Prairie WMA (3.9 mi) and Brownsville Bluff SNA (7.5 mi).
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); Frank.Vassen (CC BY 2.0); fishhawk (CC BY 2.0).