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Stokman Wildlife Management Area hunting, season by season
513 acres of public land open to hunters in Blue Earth County and 1 neighbor, with DPA 253 deer dates.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Stokman Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Stokman Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Minnesota Lake Latusek LandingBoat ramp · 2.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 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.
Stokman WMA in brief, from the agency file
513 acres of Blue Earth and Faribault counties belong to Stokman WMA. Size rank in Blue Earth County: 2nd of 19 wildlife management areas. For deer it falls in DPA 253, set at either-sex for 2026.
Questions go to the Nicollet DNR wildlife office at nicollet.wildlife@state.mn.us. Its DNR record carries the federal aid code Pittman-Robertson.
Game listed: deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey, mourning dove.
- White-tailed Deer
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- Ducks
- Canada Goose
- Wild Turkey
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Stokman Wildlife Management Area
Subunits and parking at Stokman WMA
Each subunit of Stokman WMA has its own DNR page; the map below pins 1 parking spot.
| Subunit | Acreage | Near | Open? | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stokman WMA | 513 | Minnesota Lake | Open | 1 | DNR |
- Stokman WMA: From Minnesota Lake, go 1/2 mile east on CSAH 20. Wheelchair access is limited to adjacent county and township roads.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Stokman WMA pinned among nearby tracts
Lembke WMA lies 2.6 mi northeast of Stokman WMA, the nearest of 8 public areas within 45 miles.
| Area | Type | Acres | DPA | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lembke WMA | WMA | 93 | 253 | 2.6 mi | northeast |
| Pick WMA | WMA | 199 | 230 | 3.7 mi | north |
| Minnesota Lake WPA | WPA | 80 | 253 | 4.2 mi | southwest |
| Latourelle WMA | WMA | 83 | 230 | 4.4 mi | north |
| Thompson Slough WMA | WMA | 27 | 230 | 5.2 mi | north |
| Lost Marsh WMA | WMA | 329 | 230 | 5.8 mi | north |
| Maple River WPA | WPA | 200 | 253 | 6.3 mi | west |
| Dean Christensen Memorial WMA | WMA | 80 | 254 | 7.4 mi | east |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Rules for hunting Stokman WMA
Site rules for Stokman WMA, condensed from the record.
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| 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.
Stokman WMA season dates
This table covers Stokman WMA only: deer rows follow its DPA, the rest come from its game species list.
| Species | Type | Zone or DPA | Begins | Through | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 253 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 253 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 253 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 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 | |
| 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 |
Wear blaze orange or pink in the firearms deer season; waterfowl hunters on water are exempt under DNR rules.
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026. All Minnesota seasons.
Deer seasons on Stokman WMA
200-series DPA 253 carries the either-sex designation this year. One deer of either sex per license in DPA 253.
| Season | Starts | Ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Adult deer shot Nov. 7-8 here must be sampled. Size of DPA 253: 987 square miles. Faribault, Martin, Blue Earth, Watonwan and Waseca share DPA 253.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Deer harvest around Stokman WMA (DPA 253)
The whole of DPA 253 gave up 854 deer in 2025; the DNR publishes no figure for Stokman WMA itself.
| Year | Adult male | Rest | Harvest | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 587 | 267 | 854 | 0.88 |
| 2024 | 544 | 241 | 785 | 0.81 |
| 2023 | 562 | 283 | 845 | 0.87 |
| 2022 | 559 | 203 | 762 | 0.78 |
| 2021 | 510 | 212 | 722 | 0.74 |
| 2020 | 517 | 195 | 712 | 0.73 |
| 2019 | 539 | 201 | 740 | 0.76 |
| 2018 | 447 | 194 | 641 | 0.66 |
| 2017 | 549 | 201 | 750 | 0.77 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Stokman WMA nearby towns
Minnesota Lake is the closest town to Stokman WMA, about 1.0 mi away. The largest nearby is Wells (2,401 people). The DNR detail page starts its directions from Minnesota Lake. For questions, the Nicollet DNR office is 34 mi from Stokman WMA.
| Town | County | Pop. 2024 | Miles off | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Lake | Faribault | 660 | 1.0 mi | southwest |
| Easton | Faribault | 177 | 7.3 mi | southwest |
| Waldorf | Waseca | 203 | 8.2 mi | northeast |
| Mapleton | Blue Earth | 1,639 | 8.4 mi | northwest |
| Wells | Faribault | 2,401 | 8.8 mi | southeast |
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.
Stokman WMA: Blue Earth County facts
Counting Stokman WMA, Blue Earth County has 42 listed public areas. The no-quota bear area covers Blue Earth County. Blue Earth County turkey hunters declare area 505 and 503. County questions go to Nicollet Area Wildlife Office, Nicollet. 2 places in Blue Earth County are closed to hunting, such as Butternut Valley Prairie Scientific and Natural Area.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Range time on the drive to Stokman Wildlife Management Area
Three ranges near Stokman Wildlife Management Area follow, starting with Wells Rifle & Pistol Range at 8 miles. No target practice on the property, per its rules.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026; target shooting rule from the DNR WMA rules.
A look at the landscape around Stokman WMA
Stokman WMA shooting hours on key dates
Times are worked out for the Stokman WMA map point on Central Time; big game ends half an hour after sunset, birds at sunset.
| Date | Moment | Sunrise | Sunset | Open | Big game close | Birds close |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Archery and grouse opener | 6:58 a.m. | 7:21 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. | 7:51 p.m. | 7:21 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:05 a.m. | 7:08 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. | 7:38 p.m. | 7:08 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:22 a.m. | 6:42 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. | 7:12 p.m. | 6:42 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 6:58 a.m. | 5:00 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. | 5:30 p.m. | 5:00 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:26 a.m. | 4:41 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. | 5:11 p.m. | 4:41 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:49 a.m. | 4:46 p.m. | 7:19 a.m. | 5:16 p.m. | 4:46 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:36 a.m. | 7:56 p.m. | 6:06 a.m. | 8:26 p.m. | 7:56 p.m. |
Times are rounded to the minute.
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.
Straight answers on hunting Stokman WMA
How early does shooting start at Stokman WMA on the opener?
Opening day of the firearms season: shooting from 6:28 a.m., done by 5:30 p.m..
Is CWD sampling required at Stokman WMA?
DNR lists DPA 253 as in the 2026 surveillance block (mandatory sampling Nov. 7-8).
Can I leave a stand on Stokman WMA overnight?
Daily removal applies on Stokman WMA, so plan on a climber or a hang-on you carry out.
Which public ground lies closest to Stokman WMA?
Next-closest public land: Lembke WMA (2.6 mi), Pick WMA (3.7 mi) and Minnesota Lake WPA (4.2 mi).
Can you hunt on Stokman WMA this season?
Yes. Hunting and trapping are open on state WMAs during regular seasons unless DNR posts an exception, and Stokman WMA shows open hunting status.
Can I camp on Stokman WMA during the season?
Generally no: designated areas or a permit only.
Which deer permit area holds Stokman WMA?
Stokman WMA falls in DPA 253, either-sex. Expect the firearms season from Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Roughly how large is the Stokman WMA unit?
The mapped size is 513 acres.
Where is the access for Stokman WMA?
From Minnesota Lake, go 1/2 mile east on CSAH 20. The map above shows 1 parking pin.
Which species does Stokman WMA hold?
Game on the agency list for Stokman WMA: deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey and mourning dove.
Who do I call about Stokman WMA?
Stokman WMA falls under Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Nicollet office).
Stokman WMA: three things to confirm first
Carry your license, validate a deer or turkey at the kill site and register it (48 hours for deer and bear, 24 for turkey).
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: Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0); ImagePerson (CC BY 4.0); Cindy Sue Causey (CC BY 2.0).