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Willow-Run Wildlife Management Area hunting, season by season
3,564 acres of public land open to hunters in Beltrami County, with DPA 111 deer dates.
Photo: jjsmustang1979 (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Willow-Run Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Willow-Run Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 1.8 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.
Willow-Run WMA in brief, from the agency file
3,564 acres of Beltrami County belong to Willow-Run WMA. Size rank in Beltrami County: 9th of 22 wildlife management areas. For deer it falls in DPA 111, set at antlerless permit lottery for 2026.
Questions go to the Thief River Falls DNR wildlife office at thiefriver.wildlife@state.mn.us.
DNR notes on the habitat: Management goals for Willow-Run and Wolf Trail WMAs include maintaining an open mix of grass and brush for sharp-tailed grouse, and young forest for deer, ruffed grouse, and woodcock. These habitats are maintained by a combination of prescribed fire and shearing/mowing. Where soils allow the development of more mature and commercially viable timber, longer rotation timber harvests are anticipated.
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 Willow-Run Wildlife Management Area
Subunits and parking at Willow-Run WMA
Each subunit of Willow-Run WMA has its own DNR page; the map below pins 1 parking spot.
| Subunit | Acreage | Near | Open? | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willow-Run WMA | 3,564 | Grygla | Open | 1 | DNR |
- Willow-Run WMA: From Grygla, go 5 miles S on 400th Ave NE (CSAH 54) then 3 mile E on 240th St NE/Thorhult Rd to the main parking lot on the north side of the road. Vehicle access into the WMA is limited. Two gravel roads, Thorhult Rd NW and Hamre Rd NW, bisect or border the WMA. These roads generally do not have shoulders and pull-offs are sparse. A parking area is located on the north side of Thorhult Rd NW. A portion of the Fourtown-Grygla ATV trail cuts through the WMA and is generally open from June 1st to October 31st, but consult the DNR website for open/closure postings. ATVs are also allowed under limited conditions to retrieve known downed deer during the hunting season. Consult the DNR regulations for more information. Snowmobiles are allowed in accordance with State regulations.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Willow-Run WMA pinned among nearby tracts
Carmelee WMA lies 2.8 mi south of Willow-Run WMA, the nearest of 8 public areas within 45 miles.
| Area | Type | Acres | DPA | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carmelee WMA | WMA | 3,907 | 111 | 2.8 mi | south |
| Benville WMA | WMA | 1,194 | 101 | 4.2 mi | north |
| Lee WMA | WMA | 2,244 | 111 | 4.5 mi | southeast |
| Wolf Trail WMA | WMA | 7,793 | 111 | 4.5 mi | east |
| Espelie WMA | WMA | 3,644 | 111, 208 | 4.6 mi | west |
| Sem WMA | WMA | 2,838 | 111, 208 | 5.5 mi | southwest |
| Saw-whet WMA | WMA | 1,286 | 111 | 6.2 mi | east |
| Reiner WMA | WMA | 121 | 208 | 6.2 mi | south |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Rules for hunting Willow-Run WMA
Site rules for Willow-Run 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.
Willow-Run WMA season dates
This table covers Willow-Run 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 111 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 111 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 100 series | DPA 111 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Quota areas | Quota areas 12, 13, 27, 28, 41, 46 | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Ruffed, spruce grouse | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Sharp-tailed grouse | Northwest zone | Northwest zone (north part) | 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 Willow-Run WMA
100-series DPA 111 carries the antlerless permit lottery designation this year (25 lottery permits for antlerless deer). To shoot an antlerless deer with a firearm in DPA 111, 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 111. WMAs in DPA 111 carry extra rules. Size of DPA 111: 1,386 square miles. Lake of the Woods, Beltrami, Roseau and Marshall share DPA 111.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Deer harvest around Willow-Run WMA (DPA 111)
The whole of DPA 111 gave up 412 deer in 2025; the DNR publishes no figure for Willow-Run WMA itself.
| Year | Adult male | Rest | Harvest | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 403 | 9 | 412 | 0.30 |
| 2024 | 364 | 6 | 370 | 0.27 |
| 2023 | 311 | 7 | 318 | 0.23 |
| 2022 | 281 | 9 | 290 | 0.21 |
| 2021 | 390 | 16 | 406 | 0.29 |
| 2020 | 299 | 48 | 347 | 0.25 |
| 2019 | 326 | 136 | 462 | 0.32 |
| 2018 | 418 | 192 | 610 | 0.42 |
| 2017 | 462 | 178 | 640 | 0.45 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Willow-Run WMA nearby towns
Grygla is the closest town to Willow-Run WMA, about 4.5 mi away. The largest nearby is Thief River Falls (8,779 people). The DNR detail page starts its directions from Grygla. For questions, the Middle River DNR office is 24 mi from Willow-Run WMA.
| Town | County | Pop. 2024 | Miles off | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grygla | Marshall | 171 | 4.5 mi | northwest |
| Goodridge | Pennington | 107 | 13 mi | southwest |
| Holt | Marshall | 87 | 29 mi | west |
| Thief River Falls | Pennington | 8,779 | 30 mi | west |
| Middle River | Marshall | 294 | 30 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.
Willow-Run WMA: Beltrami County facts
Counting Willow-Run WMA, Beltrami County has 47 listed public areas. Beltrami County is one of the feeding ban counties. For bear, Beltrami County lies partly in quota area 12, 41 and 27; 2026 permits: 12 (100 permits), 41 (250 permits) and 27 (450 permits). Beltrami County turkey hunters declare area 509 and 508. Part of elk zone 10 is in the county. County questions go to Red Lake WMA Area Wildlife Office, Roosevelt. 6 places in Beltrami County are closed to hunting, such as Bemidji Lake 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 Willow-Run Wildlife Management Area
Three ranges near Willow-Run Wildlife Management Area follow, starting with Lock & Load Hunting Club at 30 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 Willow-Run WMA
Willow-Run WMA shooting hours on key dates
Times are worked out for the Willow-Run 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 | 7:03 a.m. | 7:29 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. | 7:59 p.m. | 7:29 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:13 a.m. | 7:14 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. | 7:44 p.m. | 7:14 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 | 7:16 a.m. | 4:56 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. | 5:26 p.m. | 4:56 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:47 a.m. | 4:33 p.m. | 7:17 a.m. | 5:03 p.m. | 4:33 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:13 a.m. | 4:36 p.m. | 7:43 a.m. | 5:06 p.m. | 4:36 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:36 a.m. | 8:09 p.m. | 6:06 a.m. | 8:39 p.m. | 8:09 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 Willow-Run WMA
Is CWD sampling required at Willow-Run WMA?
DNR lists DPA 111 as outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
Who do I call about Willow-Run WMA?
Willow-Run WMA falls under Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Thief River Falls office).
Which public ground lies closest to Willow-Run WMA?
Next-closest public land: Carmelee WMA (2.8 mi), Benville WMA (4.2 mi) and Lee WMA (4.5 mi).
How early does shooting start at Willow-Run WMA on the opener?
Opening day of the firearms season: shooting from 6:46 a.m., done by 5:26 p.m..
Can I camp on Willow-Run WMA during the season?
Generally no: designated areas or a permit only.
Can I leave a stand on Willow-Run WMA overnight?
Daily removal applies on Willow-Run WMA, so plan on a climber or a hang-on you carry out.
Roughly how large is the Willow-Run WMA unit?
The mapped size is 3,564 acres.
Can you hunt on Willow-Run WMA this season?
Yes. Hunting and trapping are open on state WMAs during regular seasons unless DNR posts an exception, and Willow-Run WMA shows open hunting status.
Which species does Willow-Run WMA hold?
Game on the agency list for Willow-Run WMA: deer, black bear, small game, ruffed grouse and woodcock and sharp-tailed grouse.
Which deer permit area holds Willow-Run WMA?
Willow-Run WMA falls in DPA 111, antlerless permit lottery. Expect the firearms season from Nov 7 to Nov 22, 2026.
Where is the access for Willow-Run WMA?
From Grygla, go 5 miles S on 400th Ave NE (CSAH 54) then 3 mile E on 240th St NE/Thorhult Rd to the main parking lot on the north side of the road. The map above shows 1 parking pin.
Willow-Run 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: NPS Photo (Public domain); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); USFWS Mountain Prairie (Public domain).