Deer Permit Area 279, Minnesota

Rolling central Minnesota agricultural landscape with corn, soybean, and small grain fields interspersed with hardwood woodlots, wetland potholes, lake shorelines, and brushy draws. Topography is gently rolling glacial till with minimal elevation change. Habitat transitions between open farmland and wooded corridors along creek drainages and lake edges make classic funnel and pinch-point setups productive.

moderate

White-tailed deer are the primary target species with good buck-to-doe ratios in managed years. Eastern wild turkey have expanded strongly into central Minnesota farmland and are huntable in both spring and fall seasons. Ring-necked pheasant are present in WMA grassland and CRP cover, though populations fluctuate with winter severity. Ruffed grouse occur in brushy woodlot edges and shrubby draws but are not the primary draw for this agricultural unit. No moose or bear presence in this zone.

Strong agricultural deer densities fueled by abundant corn and soybean fields; classic Midwestern rut hunting in early November with bucks cruising woodlot edges and field margins. Zone 200 farmland units typically allow antlerless harvest via either-sex provisions or over-the-counter lottery permits depending on the management designation for that year — check current DNR regulations. Wild turkey are present and huntable in spring and fall. Ring-necked pheasant and ruffed grouse round out the small game opportunities, particularly along WMA grassland and brushy cover edges.