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WMA · 2026-27
Wo Wacintanka Wildlife Management Area hunting guide and rules
Everything we could verify about this wildlife management area in Freeborn County.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Wo Wacintanka Wildlife Management Area
Wo Wacintanka WMA: acres, owner and deer area
Wo Wacintanka WMA spreads over 558 acres of Freeborn County. Of 13 wildlife management areas in Freeborn County, Wo Wacintanka WMA is number 2 by acreage. Hunters on Wo Wacintanka WMA follow DPA 254, which DNR made 3-deer limit for 2026.
The DNR Owatonna area wildlife office manages it (owatonna.wildlife@state.mn.us).
From the DNR unit description: This wildlife area is managed to enhance protection of wetland values and functions and to preserve native vegetative features of the upland for indigenous wildlife. Numerous small ponds and other wetlands have been restored. Grassland and woodland habitats are managed using a combination of prescribed burns, mowing and cutting to maintain vigor, control undesirable woody vegetation and control noxious weeds. Much of the land for this wildlife area was donated by Mr. John Goetz through the Reinvest in Minnesota Critical Habitat Program.
Game species: deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey, mourning dove.
- White-tailed Deer
- Eastern Cottontail
- Gray Squirrel
- Snowshoe Hare
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- Ducks
- Canada Goose
- Wild Turkey
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Wo Wacintanka Wildlife Management Area
Parking lots and routes for Wo Wacintanka WMA
DNR maps no parking point for Wo Wacintanka WMA; use the route text below.
| Subunit | Acres | Nearest town | Hunting | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wo Wacintanka WMA | 558 | Blooming Prairie | Open | – | DNR |
- Wo Wacintanka WMA: From Blooming Prairie go 1/2 mile S on Dodge CSAH 2 then 2 miles S on Freeborn CSAH 36 then 3 miles W on CSAH 35 to 87911 320th Street, Blooming Prairie. A parking area is located in the southwest corner of the wildlife area at 87956 305th Street, Austin, Minnesota. There also is limited parking in the northeast corner of the wildlife management area at 87911 320th Street. A trail open for foot travel runs south from this access.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Map: Wo Wacintanka WMA and its neighbors
8 public areas lie within 45 miles of Wo Wacintanka WMA, adding 1,666 acres; Carex WMA is closest.
| Public land | Type | Acres | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carex WMA | WMA | 332 | 254 | 6.4 mi | south |
| Pogones Marsh WMA | WMA | 112 | 232 | 6.5 mi | north |
| Straight River WMA | WMA | 198 | 232 | 6.6 mi | northwest |
| Straight Creek WPA | WPA | 346 | 232 | 7.1 mi | northwest |
| Straight River Marsh WPA | WPA | 380 | 232 | 7.4 mi | northwest |
| Turtle Creek WPA | WPA | 155 | 254 | 7.4 mi | south |
| Arlen Schamber Legacy WPA | WPA | 43 | 254 | 7.4 mi | southeast |
| Lost Lake WPA | WPA | 100 | 254 | 7.8 mi | southeast |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Wo Wacintanka WMA: the use rules
These are the use rules the agency lists for Wo Wacintanka 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 |
Sources: record, agency rules; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Wo Wacintanka WMA: current DNR alerts
- A large wetland restoration project is planned for the eastern section of this WMA. Expect disturbance. Visitors should be cautious of equipment and workers. Please do not block access roads or gates.
DNR WMA visitor alerts on the unit page; checked October 28, 2026. CWD rules.
When you can hunt Wo Wacintanka WMA
Every dated hunting window for Wo Wacintanka WMA: 20 species, 43 rows.
| Game | Segment | Where | Starts | Ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 254 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 254 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 254 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 |
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.
Wo Wacintanka WMA deer calendar and limits
DPA 254 (200 series) is 3-deer limit in 2026. Hunters may take up to 3 deer in DPA 254 across licenses and bonus permits; only one may be a buck in most DPAs.
| 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 |
Testing for CWD is optional in DPA 254. Area of DPA 254: 947 sq mi. Counties in DPA 254: Freeborn, Faribault, Mower, Waseca and Steele.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
How many deer DPA 254 gives up around Wo Wacintanka WMA
DNR reports harvest by deer permit area, not by WMA or county; DPA 254 registered 1,373 deer in 2025, 2% up on 2024.
| Year | Adult bucks | Other deer | Total | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 753 | 620 | 1,373 | 1.49 |
| 2024 | 772 | 568 | 1,340 | 1.45 |
| 2023 | 745 | 601 | 1,346 | 1.46 |
| 2022 | 707 | 552 | 1,259 | 1.36 |
| 2021 | 713 | 551 | 1,264 | 1.37 |
| 2020 | 707 | 578 | 1,285 | 1.39 |
| 2019 | 691 | 567 | 1,258 | 1.36 |
| 2018 | 578 | 615 | 1,193 | 1.28 |
| 2017 | 584 | 411 | 995 | 1.07 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Wo Wacintanka WMA: towns, DNR office and shops
Wo Wacintanka WMA is 4.9 mi from Blooming Prairie, the nearest community. Directions on the DNR page begin at Blooming Prairie. Owatonna has the nearest DNR office to Wo Wacintanka WMA, 20 mi away.
| Nearest towns | County | Population | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blooming Prairie | Steele | 1,938 | 4.9 mi | northeast |
| Hollandale | Freeborn | 303 | 5.8 mi | southwest |
| Geneva | Freeborn | 499 | 8.2 mi | west |
| Lansing | Mower | – | 8.3 mi | southeast |
| Ellendale | Steele | 658 | 10 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.
County rules that reach Wo Wacintanka WMA
Our Freeborn County list runs to 25 public areas, including Wo Wacintanka WMA. No bear lottery in Freeborn County: it is no-quota ground. Turkey permit area here: 503. The county's nearest wildlife office is Owatonna Area Wildlife Office in Owatonna.
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 Wo Wacintanka Wildlife Management Area
Oak Grove Gun Club sits 16 miles from Wo Wacintanka 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.
Wo Wacintanka WMA country, seen through a lens
Wo Wacintanka WMA: sunrise, sunset and legal hours
These Wo Wacintanka 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 | 6:55 a.m. | 7:18 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. | 7:48 p.m. | 7:18 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:03 a.m. | 7:05 p.m. | 6:33 a.m. | 7:35 p.m. | 7:05 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:19 a.m. | 6:39 p.m. | 6:49 a.m. | 7:09 p.m. | 6:39 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 6:55 a.m. | 4:57 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. | 5:27 p.m. | 4:57 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:23 a.m. | 4:39 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. | 5:09 p.m. | 4:39 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:46 a.m. | 4:44 p.m. | 7:16 a.m. | 5:14 p.m. | 4:44 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:33 a.m. | 7:53 p.m. | 6:03 a.m. | 8:23 p.m. | 7:53 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.
Wo Wacintanka WMA: what hunters usually ask
Wo Wacintanka WMA: what are the stand and blind rules?
Take it down each evening. Wo Wacintanka WMA follows the WMA rule on daily removal of stands, blinds and other gear.
Are there campsites on Wo Wacintanka WMA?
WMA rules allow camping only in designated areas or with a permit.
Is Wo Wacintanka WMA public ground you can hunt?
Yes. A Minnesota license for the game you hunt is all you need on Wo Wacintanka WMA; WMA rules cover vehicles, stands and camping.
What size is the Wo Wacintanka WMA unit?
Agency maps put it at 558 acres.
Wo Wacintanka WMA: which DPA sets the deer rules?
DPA 254, 3-deer limit for 2026. The rifle and shotgun season goes Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
What is there to hunt on Wo Wacintanka WMA?
On the Wo Wacintanka WMA record the game list reads deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl, wild turkey and mourning dove.
Where do you park at Wo Wacintanka WMA?
From Blooming Prairie go 1/2 mile S on Dodge CSAH 2 then 2 miles S on Freeborn CSAH 36 then 3 miles W on CSAH 35 to 87911 320th Street, Blooming Prairie. No parking point is mapped.
Who should I contact about Wo Wacintanka WMA?
Wo Wacintanka WMA belongs to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; the Owatonna office looks after it.
Is Wo Wacintanka WMA inside a CWD zone?
Wo Wacintanka WMA sits in DPA 254, which is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
What time can you shoot deer at Wo Wacintanka WMA on Nov. 7?
Nov. 7: 6:25 a.m. to 5:27 p.m. for deer, sunrise 6:55 a.m..
What other public tracts sit near Wo Wacintanka WMA?
Wo Wacintanka WMA neighbors on our list: Carex WMA (6.4 mi), Pogones Marsh WMA (6.5 mi) and Straight River WMA (6.6 mi).
Wo Wacintanka 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: Joshua Mayer (CC BY-SA 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain).