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WMA in Mahnomen County
Hunting Wambach Wildlife Management Area, Minnesota public land
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this wildlife management area in Mahnomen County, 1,288 acres.
Photo: Matt Lavin (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Wambach Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Wambach Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.7 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.
Wambach WMA at a glance for hunters
You get 1,288 acres at Wambach WMA, which lies in Mahnomen County. By size it ranks 4th of the 16 wildlife management areas we list in Mahnomen County. DPA 297 sets the deer limit here: antlerless permit lottery this year.
The managing office is Detroit Lakes (DNR Wildlife), detroitlakes.wildlife@state.mn.us. DNR lists Pittman-Robertson as the federal aid source for Wambach WMA.
Listed game: deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant, waterfowl.
- 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 Wambach Wildlife Management Area
What is allowed on Wambach WMA
Short version of the rules that apply on Wambach WMA, taken from the managing agency.
| What | Rule here |
|---|---|
| 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.
Deer on Wambach WMA in 2026-27
Deer on Wambach WMA fall under DPA 297: antlerless permit lottery, 200 series, 25 lottery permits. Firearm hunters who want a doe in DPA 297 must win the antlerless lottery (apply by Sept. 10).
| Deer window | From | To | Open now? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
CWD testing in DPA 297: optional. DPA 297 spans 450 square miles. DPA 297 reaches Mahnomen and Becker counties.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Wambach WMA hunting calendar 2026-27
Wambach WMA season dates for 2026-27, picked by its game species list and its deer permit area.
| Species | Season | Applies | Opens | Closes | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 297 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 297 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 297 | 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 |
Furbearer rows list both zones: the line follows I-94 and US 10, so check which side of it you hunt.
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026. All Minnesota seasons.
Wambach WMA: access points
1 parking point and the route text DNR posts for Wambach WMA.
| Subunit | Acres | Nearest town | Hunting | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wambach WMA | 1,288 | Mahnomen | Open | 1 | DNR |
- Wambach WMA: From Mahnomen, go 5 miles N on US 59 then 1 1/2 miles E on TWP RD.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Public land within a drive of Wambach WMA
When Wambach WMA is crowded, Santee Prairie SNA sits 0.7 mi away to the northeast.
| Place | Type | Acres | DPA | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santee Prairie SNA | SNA | 456 | 297 | 0.7 mi | northeast |
| Barker WPA | WPA | 691 | 297 | 2.4 mi | south |
| Rush WMA | WMA | 813 | 297 | 2.7 mi | southeast |
| Gregory WMA | WMA | 617 | 297 | 3.3 mi | northeast |
| Warren WMA | WMA | 68 | 297 | 3.7 mi | east |
| Loncrace WMA | WMA | 253 | 297 | 4.3 mi | north |
| Chief Lake WPA | WPA | 421 | 297 | 4.6 mi | southeast |
| Bejou WMA | WMA | 1,937 | 297 | 4.8 mi | northwest |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Wambach WMA nearest towns and help
Fuel and food: Bejou lies 3.7 mi from Wambach WMA. For more services, Mahnomen (1,216) is 5.7 mi out. DNR's nearest town for this unit: Mahnomen. Nearest DNR desk: Detroit Lakes Area Wildlife Office, 42 mi.
| Town | County | People (2024) | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bejou | Mahnomen | 83 | 3.7 mi | northwest |
| Riverland | Mahnomen | – | 5.0 mi | south |
| Mahnomen | Mahnomen | 1,216 | 5.7 mi | south |
| Beaulieu | Mahnomen | – | 7.0 mi | southeast |
| Midway | Mahnomen | – | 9.2 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.
Wambach WMA: deer taken in DPA 297
224 deer were registered in DPA 297 during 2025, 0.51 per square mile of the unit.
| Year | Adult bucks | Other deer | DPA harvest | Per square mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 195 | 29 | 224 | 0.51 |
| 2024 | 169 | 35 | 204 | 0.47 |
| 2023 | 118 | 27 | 145 | 0.33 |
| 2022 | 140 | 51 | 191 | 0.44 |
| 2021 | 189 | 32 | 221 | 0.50 |
| 2020 | 154 | 111 | 265 | 0.60 |
| 2019 | 176 | 93 | 269 | 0.61 |
| 2018 | 190 | 127 | 317 | 0.72 |
| 2017 | 202 | 60 | 262 | 0.60 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Wambach WMA and the rest of Mahnomen County
Mahnomen County has 43 public hunting areas on file, Wambach WMA among them. Mahnomen County bear hunting runs through quota area 46, 46 (950 permits). The county sits in turkey permit area 509 and 507. Nearest DNR area wildlife office to the county centre: Detroit Lakes Area Wildlife Office, (218) 846-8470.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
When shooting starts and stops at Wambach WMA
Sun times computed for Wambach WMA itself, since the 2026 booklet prints no tables.
| Date | Why | Sunrise | Sunset | Legal from | Big game to | Waterfowl to |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Archery and grouse opener | 7:05 a.m. | 7:30 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. | 8:00 p.m. | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:14 a.m. | 7:16 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. | 7:46 p.m. | 7:16 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:33 a.m. | 6:48 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. | 7:18 p.m. | 6:48 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:15 a.m. | 5:00 p.m. | 6:45 a.m. | 5:30 p.m. | 5:00 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:46 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 7:16 a.m. | 5:08 p.m. | 4:38 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:11 a.m. | 4:42 p.m. | 7:41 a.m. | 5:12 p.m. | 4:42 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:39 a.m. | 8:10 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. | 8:40 p.m. | 8:10 p.m. |
Pheasant hours start at 9 a.m.
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.
Wambach Wildlife Management Area: hunts and banquets nearby
NWTF hunting heritage fundraiser: 1 upcoming event, on site or a few miles away.
Booked dates
| Held on | Event | Miles off | Where held | Link | Checked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 18, 2027 | Prairie Toms Hunting Heritage Event NWTF Fundraiser, an NWTF hunting heritage fundraiser | 6 | Mahnomen | Buy tickets | Source |
Ranges a Wambach Wildlife Management Area hunter can reach
From Wambach Wildlife Management Area, the nearest listed range is Wild Rice Conservation Club at 18 miles; public ranges on file are over 60 miles away. Plinking on the property is not allowed.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026; target shooting rule from the DNR WMA rules.
Wambach WMA region in a few frames
Hunter questions about Wambach WMA, short answers
How do you get to Wambach WMA?
From Mahnomen, go 5 miles N on US 59 then 1 1/2 miles E on TWP RD. 1 parking spot on the DNR map.
What game species does Wambach WMA list?
The agency names deer, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, pheasant and waterfowl for Wambach WMA.
Wambach WMA and CWD: what applies?
For CWD, DPA 297 is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
Wambach WMA: who is the land manager?
Questions about Wambach WMA go to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at its Detroit Lakes office.
Wambach WMA neighbors: what public land is nearby?
Short-drive options from the map: Santee Prairie SNA (0.7 mi), Barker WPA (2.4 mi) and Rush WMA (2.7 mi).
On the deer opener, when can you shoot at Wambach WMA?
Deer shooting on Nov. 7 opens at 6:45 a.m. and ends at 5:30 p.m. at the Wambach WMA point.
Can hunters set up a tent camp on Wambach WMA?
Only at designated sites or by permit.
Can blinds stay up overnight at Wambach WMA?
Only for the day: WMA rules make you remove portable stands and blinds daily, outside the northwest Nov. 1-Dec. 31 exception.
Wambach WMA acreage: how much ground is it?
It runs to 1,288 acres.
Does Wambach WMA allow public hunting?
It is open: DNR lists every subunit of Wambach WMA with an open or partial hunting status.
What deer permit area is Wambach WMA in?
The record puts it in DPA 297: antlerless permit lottery. Its firearms season: Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Matt Lavin (CC BY-SA 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).