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Public hunting · WMA
Valley Wildlife Management Area hunting, season by season
656 acres of public land open to hunters in Marshall County, with DPA 101 deer dates.
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Getting to Valley Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Valley Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.9 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.
Valley WMA in brief, from the agency file
656 acres of Marshall County belong to Valley WMA. Size rank in Marshall County: 14th of 28 wildlife management areas. For deer it falls in DPA 101, set at 2-deer limit for 2026.
Questions go to the Thief River Falls DNR wildlife office at thiefriver.wildlife@state.mn.us.
Game listed: deer, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, sharp-tailed grouse.
- White-tailed Deer
- Black Bear
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ruffed Grouse
- American Woodcock
- Sharp-tailed Grouse
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Valley Wildlife Management Area
Subunits and parking at Valley WMA
Each subunit of Valley WMA has its own DNR page; the map below pins 1 parking spot.
| Subunit | Acreage | Near | Open? | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valley WMA | 656 | Grygla | Open | 1 | DNR |
- Valley WMA: From Grygla, go 2 1/2 miles W on SH 89 then 2 1/2 miles N on Co Rd 53 then 1 mile W on Twp Rd.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Valley WMA pinned among nearby tracts
Eckvoll WMA lies 4.5 mi west of Valley WMA, the nearest of 8 public areas within 45 miles.
| Area | Type | Acres | DPA | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eckvoll WMA | WMA | 6,490 | 203 | 4.5 mi | west |
| Espelie WMA | WMA | 3,644 | 111, 208 | 4.7 mi | southeast |
| Grygla WMA | WMA | 3,444 | 101 | 5.4 mi | northeast |
| Moylan WMA | WMA | 1,716 | 208 | 7.2 mi | southwest |
| Sharp WMA | WMA | 159 | 208 | 8.1 mi | southwest |
| Benville WMA | WMA | 1,194 | 101 | 8.2 mi | east |
| Willow-Run WMA | WMA | 3,564 | 111 | 8.5 mi | southeast |
| Sem WMA | WMA | 2,838 | 111, 208 | 9.1 mi | south |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Rules for hunting Valley WMA
Site rules for Valley 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.
Valley WMA season dates
This table covers Valley 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 101 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 101 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 100 series | DPA 101 | 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 12 | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Ruffed, spruce grouse | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Sharp-tailed grouse | Northwest zone | Northwest zone | Sep 19, 2026 | Nov 30, 2026 | |
| 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 | |
| Take-a-Kid | Take-a-Kid | Statewide | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 Valley WMA
100-series DPA 101 carries the 2-deer limit designation this year. With bonus permits, a hunter can fill the 2-deer limit in DPA 101.
| Season | Starts | Ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Optional CWD testing only in DPA 101. WMAs in DPA 101 carry extra rules. Size of DPA 101: 496 square miles. Beltrami, Marshall, Roseau and Lake of the Woods share DPA 101.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Deer harvest around Valley WMA (DPA 101)
The whole of DPA 101 gave up 759 deer in 2025; the DNR publishes no figure for Valley WMA itself.
| Year | Adult male | Rest | Harvest | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 554 | 205 | 759 | 1.53 |
| 2024 | 515 | 173 | 688 | 1.39 |
| 2023 | 391 | 203 | 594 | 1.20 |
| 2022 | 356 | 278 | 634 | 1.28 |
| 2021 | 491 | 176 | 667 | 1.35 |
| 2020 | 401 | 190 | 591 | 1.19 |
| 2019 | 447 | 295 | 742 | 1.50 |
| 2018 | 445 | 361 | 806 | 1.63 |
| 2017 | 450 | 275 | 725 | 1.46 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Valley WMA nearby towns
Grygla is the closest town to Valley WMA, about 4.2 mi away. The largest nearby is Middle River (294 people). The DNR detail page starts its directions from Grygla. For questions, the Middle River DNR office is 16 mi from Valley WMA.
| Town | County | Pop. 2024 | Miles off | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grygla | Marshall | 171 | 4.2 mi | southeast |
| Goodridge | Pennington | 107 | 13 mi | south |
| Middle River | Marshall | 294 | 22 mi | west |
| Holt | Marshall | 87 | 23 mi | west |
| Strathcona | Roseau | 28 | 26 mi | northwest |
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.
Valley WMA: Marshall County facts
Counting Valley WMA, Marshall County has 36 listed public areas. For bear, Marshall County lies partly in quota area 12; 2026 permits: 12 (100 permits). Marshall County turkey hunters declare area 509. Part of elk zone 10 is in the county. County questions go to Karlstad Area Wildlife Office, Karlstad.
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 Valley Wildlife Management Area
Three ranges near Valley Wildlife Management Area follow, starting with Lock & Load Hunting Club at 22 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 Valley WMA
Valley WMA shooting hours on key dates
Times are worked out for the Valley 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 | 7:04 a.m. | 7:30 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. | 8:00 p.m. | 7:30 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 | 7:33 a.m. | 6:46 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. | 7:16 p.m. | 6:46 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:17 a.m. | 4:57 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. | 5:27 p.m. | 4:57 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:48 a.m. | 4:34 p.m. | 7:18 a.m. | 5:04 p.m. | 4:34 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:14 a.m. | 4:37 p.m. | 7:44 a.m. | 5:07 p.m. | 4:37 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:37 a.m. | 8:10 p.m. | 6:07 a.m. | 8:40 p.m. | 8:10 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 Valley WMA
Who do I call about Valley WMA?
Valley WMA falls under Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Thief River Falls office).
Where is the access for Valley WMA?
From Grygla, go 2 1/2 miles W on SH 89 then 2 1/2 miles N on Co Rd 53 then 1 mile W on Twp Rd. The map above shows 1 parking pin.
How early does shooting start at Valley WMA on the opener?
Opening day of the firearms season: shooting from 6:47 a.m., done by 5:27 p.m..
Is CWD sampling required at Valley WMA?
DNR lists DPA 101 as outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
Can I leave a stand on Valley WMA overnight?
Daily removal applies on Valley WMA, so plan on a climber or a hang-on you carry out.
Which public ground lies closest to Valley WMA?
Next-closest public land: Eckvoll WMA (4.5 mi), Espelie WMA (4.7 mi) and Grygla WMA (5.4 mi).
Can you hunt on Valley WMA this season?
Yes. Hunting and trapping are open on state WMAs during regular seasons unless DNR posts an exception, and Valley WMA shows open hunting status.
Can I camp on Valley WMA during the season?
Generally no: designated areas or a permit only.
Which deer permit area holds Valley WMA?
Valley WMA falls in DPA 101, 2-deer limit. Expect the firearms season from Nov 7 to Nov 22, 2026.
Roughly how large is the Valley WMA unit?
The mapped size is 656 acres.
Which species does Valley WMA hold?
Game on the agency list for Valley WMA: deer, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock and sharp-tailed grouse.
Valley 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: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).