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Woodland Wildlife Management Area hunting, season by season
723 acres of public land open to hunters in Wright County, with DPA 685 deer dates.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Woodland Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Woodland Wildlife Management Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 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.
Woodland WMA in brief, from the agency file
723 acres of Wright County belong to Woodland WMA. Size rank in Wright County: 3rd of 17 wildlife management areas. For deer it falls in DPA 685, set at 3-deer limit for 2026.
Questions go to the Sauk Rapids DNR wildlife office at saukrapids.wildlife@state.mn.us. Its DNR record carries the federal aid code Pittman-Robertson.
DNR notes on the habitat: Water control capabilities allow for water level management of the wetland. This is an excellent area to view spring and fall bird migrations. Water access is limited to a NE parking lot and an east parking lot where a longer boat carry/drag is necessary. Please respect property boundaries and ask for permission before going on private lands. Consider picking up any litter you come across. Help us be good neighbors. The future of our WMA program depends on everyone being responsible users of our WMAs.
Game listed: deer, small game, pheasant, waterfowl.
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Woodland Wildlife Management Area
Subunits and parking at Woodland WMA
Each subunit of Woodland WMA has its own DNR page; the map below pins 4 parking spots.
| Subunit | Acreage | Near | Open? | Parking | Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodland WMA | 723 | Montrose | Open | 4 | DNR |
- Woodland WMA: 1 mile SE of Montrose within Sections 1 and 12, T118N, R26W. Wheelchair access is limited to public roads and mowed parking lots on this unit.
DNR WMA detail pages (Compass feature records); checked October 28, 2026.
Woodland WMA pinned among nearby tracts
Malardi Lake WMA lies 2.0 mi north of Woodland WMA, the nearest of 8 public areas within 45 miles.
| Area | Type | Acres | DPA | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malardi Lake WMA | WMA | 125 | 229 | 2.0 mi | north |
| Marysville WPA | WPA | 308 | 219 | 5.9 mi | northwest |
| Robina Lake WMA | WMA | 197 | 601 | 8.2 mi | east |
| Robinson WPA | WPA | 103 | 219 | 8.8 mi | northwest |
| Victor WPA | WPA | 149 | 685 | 11 mi | west |
| Ramsey Lake AMA | AMA | 7.4 | 219 | 11 mi | northwest |
| Grass Lake WMA | WMA | 478 | 685 | 12 mi | west |
| Angus Lake WPA | WPA | 179 | 229 | 13 mi | north |
Points: DNR WMA detail page map point (Compass feature_detail). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Rules for hunting Woodland WMA
Site rules for Woodland 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.
Woodland WMA season dates
This table covers Woodland 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 685 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Early antlerless | DPA 685 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 685 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 685 | 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 | |
| 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 Woodland WMA
600-series DPA 685 carries the 3-deer limit designation this year. With bonus permits, a hunter can fill the 3-deer limit in DPA 685.
| Season | Starts | Ends | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Youth deer | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Early antlerless | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Firearms, 200 series | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 |
CWD management zone: DPA 685 is inside it. Adult deer shot Nov. 7-8 here must be sampled. Dispose of carcasses under the DNR rule. Size of DPA 685: 578 square miles. McLeod, Wright, Meeker and Carver share DPA 685.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Woodland WMA nearby towns
Montrose is the closest town to Woodland WMA, about 1.4 mi away. The largest nearby is Delano (7,513 people). The DNR detail page starts its directions from Montrose. For questions, the Sauk Rapids DNR office is 38 mi from Woodland WMA.
| Town | County | Pop. 2024 | Miles off | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montrose | Wright | 3,925 | 1.4 mi | northwest |
| Waverly | Wright | 2,241 | 3.4 mi | west |
| Delano | Wright | 7,513 | 5.3 mi | east |
| Watertown | Carver | 4,774 | 6.9 mi | southeast |
| Howard Lake | Wright | 2,247 | 7.9 mi | west |
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.
Woodland WMA: Wright County facts
Counting Woodland WMA, Wright County has 35 listed public areas. Wright County is one of the feeding ban counties. The no-quota bear area covers Wright County. Wright County turkey hunters declare area 507 and 506. County questions go to Sauk Rapids Area Wildlife Office, Sauk Rapids. 3 places in Wright County are closed to hunting, such as Cokato Lake Aquatic Management Area.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Woodland Wildlife Management Area hunters: public range and clubs
From Woodland Wildlife Management Area, 23 miles separates hunters from Elm Creek Park Reserve, the closest public range. Club lanes inside 30 miles are on the next cards. 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 Woodland WMA
Woodland WMA shooting hours on key dates
Times are worked out for the Woodland 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 | 6:58 a.m. | 7:21 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. | 7:51 p.m. | 7:21 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:06 a.m. | 7:08 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. | 7:38 p.m. | 7:08 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:23 a.m. | 6:42 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. | 7:12 p.m. | 6:42 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:01 a.m. | 4:57 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. | 5:27 p.m. | 4:57 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:30 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. | 5:08 p.m. | 4:38 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 7:54 a.m. | 4:42 p.m. | 7:24 a.m. | 5:12 p.m. | 4:42 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:34 a.m. | 7:58 p.m. | 6:04 a.m. | 8:28 p.m. | 7:58 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 Woodland WMA
Which public ground lies closest to Woodland WMA?
Next-closest public land: Malardi Lake WMA (2.0 mi), Marysville WPA (5.9 mi) and Robina Lake WMA (8.2 mi).
How early does shooting start at Woodland WMA on the opener?
Opening day of the firearms season: shooting from 6:31 a.m., done by 5:27 p.m..
Can I camp on Woodland WMA during the season?
Generally no: designated areas or a permit only.
Can I leave a stand on Woodland WMA overnight?
Daily removal applies on Woodland WMA, so plan on a climber or a hang-on you carry out.
Roughly how large is the Woodland WMA unit?
The mapped size is 723 acres.
Can you hunt on Woodland WMA this season?
Yes. Hunting and trapping are open on state WMAs during regular seasons unless DNR posts an exception, and Woodland WMA shows open hunting status.
Which species does Woodland WMA hold?
Game on the agency list for Woodland WMA: deer, small game, pheasant and waterfowl.
Which deer permit area holds Woodland WMA?
Woodland WMA falls in DPA 685, 3-deer limit. Expect the firearms season from Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026.
Who do I call about Woodland WMA?
Woodland WMA falls under Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Sauk Rapids office).
Where is the access for Woodland WMA?
1 mile SE of Montrose within Sections 1 and 12, T118N, R26W. The map above shows 4 parking pins.
Is CWD sampling required at Woodland WMA?
DNR lists DPA 685 as in the CWD management zone and the 2026 surveillance block.
Woodland 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-SA 2.0); born1945 (CC BY 2.0); USFWS Mountain Prairie (Public domain).