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William M. Rath Wildlife Management Area hunting, season by season
845 acres of public land open to hunters in Pine County, with DPA 154 deer dates.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to William M. Rath Wildlife Management Area
William M. Rath WMA in brief, from the agency file
845 acres of Pine County belong to William M. Rath WMA. Size rank in Pine County: 3rd of 16 wildlife management areas. For deer it falls in DPA 154, set at antlerless permit lottery for 2026.
Questions go to the Cloquet DNR wildlife office at cloquet.wildlife@state.mn.us.
Game listed: deer, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, waterfowl, wild turkey, mourning dove.
- White-tailed Deer
- Black Bear
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ruffed Grouse
- American Woodcock
- Ducks
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around William M. Rath Wildlife Management Area
Subunits and parking at William M. Rath WMA
Each subunit of William M. Rath WMA has its own DNR page; the map below pins 0 parking spots.
| Subunit | Acreage | Near | Open? | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William M. Rath WMA | 845 | Bruno | Open | – | DNR |
- William M. Rath WMA: From Bruno, go 5 mi NE on CORD 44. Then go 2.3 mi e on CORD 171. Parking lot (with kiosk) on S side of road.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
William M. Rath WMA pinned among nearby tracts
Klondike Trail RGMA lies 5.1 mi northeast of William M. Rath WMA, the nearest of 8 public areas within 45 miles.
| Area | Type | Acres | DPA | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Klondike Trail RGMA | RGMA | 3,503 | 154 | 5.1 mi | northeast |
| Hjalmar & Frances Storlie WMA | WMA | 79 | 154 | 5.1 mi | north |
| Nemadji State Forest | State forest | 90,057 | 154 | 6.4 mi | east |
| Sand Creek AMA | AMA | 81 | 154 | 6.6 mi | southwest |
| Black Lake Bog SNA | SNA | 1,461 | 154 | 11 mi | east |
| Dye WMA | WMA | 161 | 153 | 11 mi | north |
| Rutledge WMA | WMA | 794 | 153 | 12 mi | west |
| D.A.R. State Forest | State forest | 364 | 153 | 13 mi | southwest |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Rules for hunting William M. Rath WMA
Site rules for William M. Rath 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.
William M. Rath WMA season dates
This table covers William M. Rath 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 154 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 154 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 100 series | DPA 154 | 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 51 | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 18, 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 William M. Rath WMA
100-series DPA 154 carries the antlerless permit lottery designation this year (25 lottery permits for antlerless deer). To shoot an antlerless deer with a firearm in DPA 154, 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, 100 series | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 |
Optional CWD testing only in DPA 154. Size of DPA 154: 315 square miles. Pine and Carlton share DPA 154.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
William M. Rath WMA nearby towns
Kerrick is the closest town to William M. Rath WMA, about 3.9 mi away. The largest nearby is Moose Lake (3,003 people). The DNR detail page starts its directions from Bruno. For questions, the Cloquet DNR office is 31 mi from William M. Rath WMA.
| Town | County | Pop. 2024 | Miles off | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kerrick | Pine | 76 | 3.9 mi | northwest |
| Bruno | Pine | 83 | 7.3 mi | west |
| Willow River | Pine | 396 | 15 mi | west |
| Askov | Pine | 331 | 15 mi | southwest |
| Moose Lake | Carlton | 3,003 | 15 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.
William M. Rath WMA: Pine County facts
Counting William M. Rath WMA, Pine County has 31 listed public areas. For bear, Pine County lies partly in quota area 51; 2026 permits: 51 (1500 permits). Pine County turkey hunters declare area 508. County questions go to Mille Lacs WMA Area Wildlife Office, Onamia. 4 places in Pine County are closed to hunting, such as Bang's Brook Aquatic Management 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 William M. Rath Wildlife Management Area
Three ranges near William M. Rath Wildlife Management Area follow, starting with Sandstone Sportsmens Club Training Center at 21 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 William M. Rath WMA
William M. Rath WMA shooting hours on key dates
Times are worked out for the William M. Rath 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 | 6:52 a.m. | 7:16 p.m. | 6:22 a.m. | 7:46 p.m. | 7:16 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:00 a.m. | 7:02 p.m. | 6:30 a.m. | 7:32 p.m. | 7:02 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:19 a.m. | 6:35 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. | 7:05 p.m. | 6:35 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 6:59 a.m. | 4:49 p.m. | 6:29 a.m. | 5:19 p.m. | 4:49 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:28 a.m. | 4:28 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. | 4:58 p.m. | 4:28 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:53 a.m. | 4:32 p.m. | 7:23 a.m. | 5:02 p.m. | 4:32 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:27 a.m. | 7:54 p.m. | 5:57 a.m. | 8:24 p.m. | 7:54 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 William M. Rath WMA
Can you hunt on William M. Rath WMA this season?
Yes. Hunting and trapping are open on state WMAs during regular seasons unless DNR posts an exception, and William M. Rath WMA shows open hunting status.
Can I camp on William M. Rath WMA during the season?
Generally no: designated areas or a permit only.
Which deer permit area holds William M. Rath WMA?
William M. Rath WMA falls in DPA 154, antlerless permit lottery. Expect the firearms season from Nov 7 to Nov 22, 2026.
Roughly how large is the William M. Rath WMA unit?
The mapped size is 845 acres.
Where is the access for William M. Rath WMA?
From Bruno, go 5 mi NE on CORD 44. Then go 2.3 mi e on CORD 171. Parking lot (with kiosk) on S side of road. Park on the road shoulder only where legal.
Which species does William M. Rath WMA hold?
Game on the agency list for William M. Rath WMA: deer, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock, waterfowl, wild turkey and mourning dove.
Is CWD sampling required at William M. Rath WMA?
DNR lists DPA 154 as outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
Who do I call about William M. Rath WMA?
William M. Rath WMA falls under Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Cloquet office).
Which public ground lies closest to William M. Rath WMA?
Next-closest public land: Klondike Trail RGMA (5.1 mi), Hjalmar & Frances Storlie WMA (5.1 mi) and Nemadji State Forest (6.4 mi).
How early does shooting start at William M. Rath WMA on the opener?
Opening day of the firearms season: shooting from 6:29 a.m., done by 5:19 p.m..
Can I leave a stand on William M. Rath WMA overnight?
Daily removal applies on William M. Rath WMA, so plan on a climber or a hang-on you carry out.
William M. Rath 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: Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0); Chad Davis. (CC BY 2.0); fishhawk (CC BY 2.0).