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WMA · 2026-27
Timber Lake Wildlife Management Area hunting guide and rules
Everything we could verify about this wildlife management area in Jackson County.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Timber Lake Wildlife Management Area
Timber Lake WMA: acres, owner and deer area
Timber Lake WMA spreads over 907 acres of Jackson County. Of 32 wildlife management areas in Jackson County, Timber Lake WMA is number 1 by acreage. Hunters on Timber Lake WMA follow DPA 250, which DNR made either-sex for 2026.
The DNR Windom area wildlife office manages it (windom.wildlife@state.mn.us). The Timber Lake WMA record names NAWCA PWHCI 2 federal aid.
Game species: 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 Timber Lake Wildlife Management Area
Parking lots and routes for Timber Lake WMA
Timber Lake WMA has 4 DNR parking points; directions below are the DNR route text.
| Subunit | Acres | Nearest town | Hunting | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timber Lake WMA | 907 | Wilder | Open | 4 | DNR |
- Timber Lake WMA: From Wilder, go 1 mile S on Co Rd 86 There is a concrete ramp water access to Timber Lake on the south tract.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Map: Timber Lake WMA and its neighbors
8 public areas lie within 45 miles of Timber Lake WMA, adding 1,937 acres; Timber Lake WPA is closest.
| Public land | Type | Acres | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timber Lake WPA | WPA | 532 | 250 | 1.3 mi | south |
| String Lake WPA | WPA | 231 | 250 | 1.7 mi | northeast |
| Wilder WMA | WMA | 3.5 | 250 | 2.1 mi | northeast |
| Teal Lake WMA | WMA | 124 | 250 | 2.2 mi | south |
| Blixseth WPA | WPA | 162 | 250 | 3.2 mi | northeast |
| String Lakes WMA | WMA | 589 | 295 | 3.7 mi | north |
| Lillegaard WMA | WMA | 88 | 250 | 4.9 mi | east |
| Caraway WMA | WMA | 208 | 250 | 5.8 mi | southeast |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Timber Lake WMA: the use rules
These are the use rules the agency lists for Timber Lake WMA; posted signs on site still govern.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| 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 |
- Portions of the Timber Lake WMA are closed to all hunting during the waterfowl season including the split portion of the season. Open to all hunting after the conclusion of the waterfowl season. Timber Lake WMA: Closed to firearms deer hunting [MR 6230.0200, Subp. 9].
- Timber Lake WMA: Closed to firearms deer hunting (MR 6230.0200, Subp. 9).
Sources: record, agency rules; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
When you can hunt Timber Lake WMA
Every dated hunting window for Timber Lake WMA: 18 species, 33 rows.
| Game | Segment | Where | Starts | Ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 250 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 250 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 250 | 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 |
Pheasant shooting starts at 9 a.m.; ducks, geese and small game stop at sunset.
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026. All Minnesota seasons.
Timber Lake WMA deer calendar and limits
DPA 250 (200 series) is either-sex in 2026. Either-sex rules let you take a doe in DPA 250 without a permit.
| Season | Begins | Through | Today |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Opening-weekend sampling is required in this surveillance block DPA. Area of DPA 250: 730 sq mi. Counties in DPA 250: Jackson, Cottonwood and Nobles.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
How many deer DPA 250 gives up around Timber Lake WMA
DNR reports harvest by deer permit area, not by WMA or county; DPA 250 registered 505 deer in 2025, 5% up on 2024.
| Year | Adult bucks | Other deer | Total | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 401 | 104 | 505 | 0.71 |
| 2024 | 334 | 145 | 479 | 0.67 |
| 2023 | 345 | 152 | 497 | 0.70 |
| 2022 | 411 | 150 | 561 | 0.79 |
| 2021 | 396 | 136 | 532 | 0.75 |
| 2020 | 413 | 124 | 537 | 0.75 |
| 2019 | 394 | 141 | 535 | 0.75 |
| 2018 | 384 | 137 | 521 | 0.73 |
| 2017 | 363 | 162 | 525 | 0.74 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Timber Lake WMA: towns, DNR office and shops
Timber Lake WMA is 0.7 mi from Wilder, the nearest community. Windom is the bigger town nearby at 4,797 people. Directions on the DNR page begin at Wilder. Windom has the nearest DNR office to Timber Lake WMA, 6.1 mi away.
| Nearest towns | County | Population | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilder | Jackson | 57 | 0.7 mi | north |
| Heron Lake | Jackson | 592 | 5.6 mi | west |
| Windom | Cottonwood | 4,797 | 5.9 mi | northeast |
| Okabena | Jackson | 201 | 7.7 mi | southwest |
| Fish Lake | Jackson | – | 8.3 mi | east |
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.
County rules that reach Timber Lake WMA
Our Jackson County list runs to 63 public areas, including Timber Lake WMA. Jackson County keeps a shotgun-only ordinance (shotgun-only ordinance) after the 2025 repeal of the state shotgun zone. No bear lottery in Jackson County: it is no-quota ground. Turkey permit area here: 504. The county's nearest wildlife office is Windom Area Wildlife Office in Windom. Jackson County also has 3 closed places, Des Moines River Scientific and Natural Area among them.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Shooting lines in reach of Timber Lake Wildlife Management Area
Horse Barn & Hunt Club sits 7 miles from Timber Lake Wildlife Management Area, closer than any public range on file. Target shooting is off limits here.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026; target shooting rule from the DNR WMA rules.
Scheduled close to Timber Lake Wildlife Management Area
2 upcoming events here or nearby as of October 28, 2026.
Coming up
| Held on | Event | Mi | Where held | Link | Checked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31–Nov 1, 2026 | Kilen Woods State Park Special Youth Deer Hunt 2026, a state park youth deer hunt | 10 | Event details | Source | |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Jackson County Fall Bingo Event, a DU gun or purse bingo | 8 | Okabena American Legion | Buy tickets | Source |
Timber Lake WMA country, seen through a lens
Timber Lake WMA: sunrise, sunset and legal hours
These Timber Lake WMA hours use the NOAA solar formula for the unit's coordinates.
| When | Event | Rise | Set | Opens | Deer, bear end | Birds end |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Archery and grouse opener | 7:03 a.m. | 7:26 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. | 7:56 p.m. | 7:26 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:11 a.m. | 7:13 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. | 7:43 p.m. | 7:13 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:27 a.m. | 6:48 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. | 7:18 p.m. | 6:48 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:04 a.m. | 5:05 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. | 5:35 p.m. | 5:05 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:31 a.m. | 4:47 p.m. | 7:01 a.m. | 5:17 p.m. | 4:47 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:55 a.m. | 4:52 p.m. | 7:25 a.m. | 5:22 p.m. | 4:52 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:41 a.m. | 8:02 p.m. | 6:11 a.m. | 8:32 p.m. | 8:02 p.m. |
Clock times include Daylight Saving Time until Nov. 1.
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.
Timber Lake WMA: what hunters usually ask
Timber Lake WMA: what are the stand and blind rules?
Take it down each evening. Timber Lake WMA follows the WMA rule on daily removal of stands, blinds and other gear.
Are there campsites on Timber Lake WMA?
WMA rules allow camping only in designated areas or with a permit.
Is Timber Lake WMA public ground you can hunt?
Yes. A Minnesota license for the game you hunt is all you need on Timber Lake WMA; WMA rules cover vehicles, stands and camping.
What size is the Timber Lake WMA unit?
Agency maps put it at 907 acres.
Timber Lake WMA: which DPA sets the deer rules?
DPA 250, either-sex for 2026. The rifle and shotgun season goes Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
What is there to hunt on Timber Lake WMA?
On the Timber Lake WMA record the game list reads deer, small game, pheasant and waterfowl.
Where do you park at Timber Lake WMA?
From Wilder, go 1 mile S on Co Rd 86 DNR maps 4 parking points.
Who should I contact about Timber Lake WMA?
Timber Lake WMA belongs to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; the Windom office looks after it.
Is Timber Lake WMA inside a CWD zone?
Timber Lake WMA sits in DPA 250, which is in the 2026 surveillance block (mandatory sampling Nov. 7-8).
What time can you shoot deer at Timber Lake WMA on Nov. 7?
Nov. 7: 6:34 a.m. to 5:35 p.m. for deer, sunrise 7:04 a.m..
What other public tracts sit near Timber Lake WMA?
Timber Lake WMA neighbors on our list: Timber Lake WPA (1.3 mi), String Lake WPA (1.7 mi) and Wilder WMA (2.1 mi).
Timber Lake WMA trip checklist from this page
No paper tags in Minnesota: validate the electronic license where the animal falls, then register it on time.
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: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0); Mike's Birds (CC BY-SA 2.0).