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Swessinger Wildlife Management Area hunting, season by season
713 acres of public land open to hunters in Nobles County, with DPA 237 deer dates.
Photo: Michel Curi (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Swessinger Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Swessinger Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 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.
Swessinger WMA in brief, from the agency file
713 acres of Nobles County belong to Swessinger WMA. Size rank in Nobles County: 3rd of 34 wildlife management areas. For deer it falls in DPA 237, set at antlerless permit lottery for 2026.
Questions go to the Slayton-Talcot Lake DNR wildlife office at talcotlake.wildlife@state.mn.us. Its DNR record carries the federal aid code NAWCA Heron Lk Phase 1.
Game listed: deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl.
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Swessinger Wildlife Management Area
Subunits and parking at Swessinger WMA
Each subunit of Swessinger WMA has its own DNR page; the map below pins 0 parking spots.
| Subunit | Acreage | Near | Open? | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swessinger WMA | 713 | Wilmont | Open | – | DNR |
- Swessinger WMA: From Wilmont, go 4 miles north on County Road 13, then 2 miles east on 120th St.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Swessinger WMA pinned among nearby tracts
Bloom WPA lies 1.1 mi south of Swessinger WMA, the nearest of 8 public areas within 45 miles.
| Area | Type | Acres | DPA | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloom WPA | WPA | 257 | 237 | 1.1 mi | south |
| Einck WMA | WMA | 50 | 237 | 2.0 mi | southwest |
| Scheuring WMA | WMA | 58 | 237 | 2.5 mi | northwest |
| Fenmont WMA | WMA | 517 | 237 | 2.8 mi | northwest |
| County Line WMA | WMA | 322 | 237 | 3.1 mi | north |
| Cleanwater WMA | WMA | 38 | 237 | 3.2 mi | northwest |
| Groth WMA | WMA | 171 | 237 | 3.7 mi | southeast |
| Stoderl Slough WMA | WMA | 160 | 237 | 4.6 mi | northwest |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Rules for hunting Swessinger WMA
Site rules for Swessinger 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.
Swessinger WMA season dates
This table covers Swessinger 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 237 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 237 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 237 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 Swessinger WMA
200-series DPA 237 carries the antlerless permit lottery designation this year (100 lottery permits for antlerless deer). To shoot an antlerless deer with a firearm in DPA 237, declare the area in the lottery by Sept. 10.
| 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 237: 615 square miles. Nobles and Murray share DPA 237.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Deer harvest around Swessinger WMA (DPA 237)
The whole of DPA 237 gave up 301 deer in 2025; the DNR publishes no figure for Swessinger WMA itself.
| Year | Adult male | Rest | Harvest | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 239 | 62 | 301 | 0.50 |
| 2024 | 277 | 55 | 332 | 0.55 |
| 2023 | 255 | 104 | 359 | 0.59 |
| 2022 | 271 | 93 | 364 | 0.60 |
| 2021 | 304 | 105 | 409 | 0.67 |
| 2020 | 334 | 89 | 423 | 0.58 |
| 2019 | 333 | 90 | 423 | 0.58 |
| 2018 | 275 | 80 | 355 | 0.49 |
| 2017 | 281 | 94 | 375 | 0.51 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Swessinger WMA nearby towns
Wilmont is the closest town to Swessinger WMA, about 4.1 mi away. The largest nearby is Fulda (1,326 people). The DNR detail page starts its directions from Wilmont. For questions, the Dundee DNR office is 19 mi from Swessinger WMA.
| Town | County | Pop. 2024 | Miles off | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmont | Nobles | 326 | 4.1 mi | southwest |
| Iona | Murray | 164 | 7.0 mi | north |
| Lismore | Nobles | 202 | 9.4 mi | southwest |
| Fulda | Murray | 1,326 | 9.6 mi | northeast |
| Avoca | Murray | 108 | 12 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.
Swessinger WMA: Nobles County facts
Counting Swessinger WMA, Nobles County has 40 listed public areas. Check the Nobles County shotgun ordinance (shotgun-only ordinance) before bringing a rifle. The no-quota bear area covers Nobles County. Nobles County turkey hunters declare area 504. County questions go to Slayton-Talcot Lake Area Wildlife Office, Dundee. 2 places in Nobles County are closed to hunting, such as Compass 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 Swessinger Wildlife Management Area
Three ranges near Swessinger Wildlife Management Area follow, starting with Sun Valley Club at 12 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 Swessinger WMA
Swessinger WMA shooting hours on key dates
Times are worked out for the Swessinger 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 | 7:05 a.m. | 7:29 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. | 7:59 p.m. | 7:29 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:13 a.m. | 7:15 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. | 7:45 p.m. | 7:15 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:30 a.m. | 6:50 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. | 7:20 p.m. | 6:50 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:06 a.m. | 5:08 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. | 5:38 p.m. | 5:08 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:33 a.m. | 4:49 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. | 5:19 p.m. | 4:49 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:57 a.m. | 4:54 p.m. | 7:27 a.m. | 5:24 p.m. | 4:54 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:43 a.m. | 8:04 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. | 8:34 p.m. | 8:04 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 Swessinger WMA
Where is the access for Swessinger WMA?
From Wilmont, go 4 miles north on County Road 13, then 2 miles east on 120th St. Park on the road shoulder only where legal.
Which species does Swessinger WMA hold?
Game on the agency list for Swessinger WMA: deer, small game, pheasant and waterfowl.
Is CWD sampling required at Swessinger WMA?
DNR lists DPA 237 as in the 2026 surveillance block (mandatory sampling Nov. 7-8).
Who do I call about Swessinger WMA?
Swessinger WMA falls under Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Slayton-Talcot Lake office).
Which public ground lies closest to Swessinger WMA?
Next-closest public land: Bloom WPA (1.1 mi), Einck WMA (2.0 mi) and Scheuring WMA (2.5 mi).
How early does shooting start at Swessinger WMA on the opener?
Opening day of the firearms season: shooting from 6:36 a.m., done by 5:38 p.m..
Can I camp on Swessinger WMA during the season?
Generally no: designated areas or a permit only.
Can I leave a stand on Swessinger WMA overnight?
Daily removal applies on Swessinger WMA, so plan on a climber or a hang-on you carry out.
Roughly how large is the Swessinger WMA unit?
The mapped size is 713 acres.
Can you hunt on Swessinger WMA this season?
Yes. Hunting and trapping are open on state WMAs during regular seasons unless DNR posts an exception, and Swessinger WMA shows open hunting status.
Which deer permit area holds Swessinger WMA?
Swessinger WMA falls in DPA 237, antlerless permit lottery. Expect the firearms season from Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Swessinger 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: beggs (CC BY 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain).