Cabinrock Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Cabinrock Wildlife Management Area is 259 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Kandiyohi County, near Sunburg, inside Deer Permit Area 277. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, mourning doves and small game for it. Hunters registered 4,575 deer in DPA 277 in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: the DNR's wildlife management area data, read 2026-10. Harvest: DNR Deer Harvest Reports, 2021 to 2025.
State wildlife management areasNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasState parksCabinrock WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 259 acres in 3 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Kandiyohi County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 277 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, mourning doves and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Sunburg |
| DNR area office | New London |
| Nearest towns | Sunburg (next to it), Kerkhoven (10 mi) and Murdock (11 mi) |
What is Cabinrock WMA like?
This small WMA abounds with game and non-game wildlife. The habitat is a mix of restored wetlands and reconstructed prairie. This WMA is a small area, but it offers excellent hunting for multiple species. Primary quarry would be pheasants, ducks, and deer. Cabinrock WMA Tract 11 contains 6 restored wetland basins with native prairie reconstruction on the upland areas.
This original 120 acre tract has 35 acres of forest, 6 acres of food plot, 38 acres of reconstructed prairie, and 41 acres of wetland. Though there are larger WMAs, this one is diverse and very versatile for multiple wildlife species hunting. This area has been restored to wetlands and prairie reconstruction. It is an excellent deer, turkey, pheasant and waterfowl hunting unit. Several charismatic non-game birds are found here, including Sandhill Cranes, Trumpeter Swans, and Common Loons. This WMA tract was purchased and restored by Pheasants Forever. There are 4 restored wetlands that can offer excellent waterfowl hunting in the right conditions. The area also has an abundant deer and turkey population. There are opportunities to pursue both here. Be aware that it is a small area that can't comfortably accommodate multiple hunting parties.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Cabinrock WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, mourning doves and small game for Cabinrock WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Cabinrock WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Cabinrock WMA?
Cabinrock WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 277. The DNR registered 4,575 deer in DPA 277 in 2025, against 4,301 in 2024.
| DPA | Cabinrock WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 277 | 259 | 4,575 | 4,301 | 4,013 |
Harvest for the whole deer permit area, not the WMA alone: Minnesota DNR Deer Harvest Reports (2021 to 2025, 2025 report).
How do you get to Cabinrock WMA?
From Sunburg, proceed south on County Road 7 for 1.25 miles to the approach on the east side of the road. This approach leads to the parking lot on the west side of the unit. There is another parking lot on the south side of the unit along a shared driveway. Do not park on this shared driveway. The parking lot is north of that shared driveway on the east side of the food plot. From Sunburg, proceed 0.5 miles S on CSAH 7. Take a left and head east on 225th Ave. NW/County Road 112 for 1 mile. At the "T" turn right and head south on 125th St. NW for 1.15 miles to the parking lot on the right (west) side of the road. The parking lot is directly west of where 208th Ave. NW meets 125th St. NW. From the intersection of St. Hwy. 9 and Kandiyohi County Road 7 on the north end of Sunburg, travel east on St. Hwy. 9 for 1.2 miles. Take a right, and proceed south on 125th St. NW. Continue south for 1 mile and take a left on 221st Ave., NW. Continue east for 0.3 miles to the parking lot on the right (south) side of the road.
Excellent access from public roads. Do not use or park in the field road on the north end on Tract 6 (east tract). It is not State owned. Parking lot is located on 125th St. NW on the east-central portion of the WMA. It is directly west of where 208th Ave. NW meets 125th St. NW.
Nearest towns: Sunburg (next to it), Kerkhoven (10 miles), Murdock (11 miles) and Brooten (12 miles). Highways within 5 miles: MN 9 and MN 104.
What other public land is near Cabinrock WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Sunburg WMA: 109 acres, next to it
- Oleander WMA: 403 acres, 2.2 miles away
- Monson WMA: 209 acres, 2.5 miles away
- Hayes-myhre WMA: 41 acres, 3.1 miles away
- Little Jo WMA: 301 acres, 5.2 miles away
- Camp Kerk WMA: 1,110 acres, 6.1 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Cabinrock WMA
Counting Cabinrock WMA itself, 1,905 of the 26,858 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (7.1%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 911 |
| State wildlife management areas | 818 |
| State parks | 176 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Cabinrock WMA?
In Kandiyohi County, near Sunburg. The DNR's directions: From Sunburg, proceed south on County Road 7 for 1.25 miles to the approach on the east side of the road. This approach leads to the parking lot on the west side of the unit. There is another parking lot on the south side of the unit along a shared driveway. Do not park on this shared driveway. The parking lot is north of that shared driveway on the east side of the food plot. From Sunburg, proceed 0.5 miles S on CSAH 7. Take a left and head east on 225th Ave. NW/County Road 112 for 1 mile. At the "T" turn right and head south on 125th St. NW for 1.15 miles to the parking lot on the right (west) side of the road. The parking lot is directly west of where 208th Ave. NW meets 125th St. NW. From the intersection of St. Hwy. 9 and Kandiyohi County Road 7 on the north end of Sunburg, travel east on St. Hwy. 9 for 1.2 miles. Take a right, and proceed south on 125th St. NW. Continue south for 1 mile and take a left on 221st Ave., NW. Continue east for 0.3 miles to the parking lot on the right (south) side of the road.
Which deer permit area is Cabinrock WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 277. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Cabinrock WMA?
1,905 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Cabinrock WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Sunburg WMA (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Cabinrock WMA; Minnesota DNR Wildlife Management Area boundaries, publicly accessible.
- Boundary and acres: the DNR's map layer above. Surrounding public land: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
- Deer harvest: Minnesota DNR Deer Harvest Reports (2021 to 2025, 2025 report).
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