Ruff-Nik Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Ruff-Nik Wildlife Management Area is 1,060 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Todd County, near Cushing, inside Deer Permit Area 214. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 4,781 deer in DPA 214 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 areasState forest and other DNR landRuff-Nik WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 1,060 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Todd County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 214 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Cushing |
| DNR area office | Little Falls |
| Special restrictions | Yes, see the rules below |
| Nearest towns | Randall (7 mi), Browerville (10 mi) and Motley (13 mi) |
What is Ruff-Nik WMA like?
This WMA is mostly oak, upland hardwood, mixed conifer-hardwood, and aspen woods, with grass fields, wetlands and restored wetlands. Management of this unit focuses on maintaining and improving the wetland, grassland, and forest habitat for a diversity of native plants and wildlife. This WMA is mostly oak, upland hardwood, mixed conifer-hardwood, and aspen woods, with grass fields, wetlands and restored wetlands. Emphasis is placed on prairie and wetland management on this tract.
Entire parcel established as Shirley J. Robinson Memorial State Duck Refuge; No trespass each year from Sept. 1 thru the waterfowl and firearms deer seasons. No trespass from Sept. 1 thru end of the duck season or November 20th, whichever is latest. Recreational opportunities exist outside this period, including hunting, trapping, hiking, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, and wildlife watching/photography.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Ruff-Nik WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Ruff-Nik WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Ruff-Nik WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Ruff-Nik WMA: Motorized vehicles are prohibited on the WMA except on designated routes and parking lots. Off-highway vehicles (OHVs), all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and snowmobiles are prohibited anywhere on the WMA, including on designated parking lots and access roads. During September of 2016, a no firearms discharge zone, approximately 14 acres in size, was established on the NE corner of the main subunit south of Cty Rd 16 south and west of the interior property corner. This was done to comply with M.S. 97B.001 after receiving a request by the adjoining landowner to provide relief from disturbance by firearms on livestock. In addition, the 120 acres in section 36 on the south end of the WMA is trust fund land, and is managed as part of the WMA, including applicable rules.
Special restriction the DNR lists for Ruff-Nik WMA: The part of the unit designated as the Shirley J. Robinson Memorial State Duck Refuge (all of the WMA lying north of CR16) carries wildlife sanctuary status (no trespass) each year from September 1st through the end of duck season or through November 20th, whichever is latest. This duck refuge is clearly posted with orange refuge and custom yellow boundary signs describing when access is prohibited. In addition, throughout the year, motorized vehicles are prohibited except on designated parking lots. OHVs, ATVs, and snowmobiles are prohibited anywhere on the WMA.
The DNR's data marks part of Ruff-Nik WMA as a wildlife sanctuary. Sanctuary ground is posted and closed to entry without DNR authorization.
How many deer are taken around Ruff-Nik WMA?
Ruff-Nik WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 214. The DNR registered 4,781 deer in DPA 214 in 2025, against 4,380 in 2024.
| DPA | Ruff-Nik WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 214 | 1,060 | 4,781 | 4,380 | 4,063 |
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 Ruff-Nik WMA?
From Cushing, go 3.5 miles west on Morrison County CSAH 16. The Robinson Refuge Unit is on the north side of the road and the South Unit is on the south side of the road.
Nearest towns: Randall (7 miles), Browerville (10 miles), Motley (13 miles) and Flensburg (13 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 10.
What other public land is near Ruff-Nik WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Little Elk WMA: 1,477 acres, 3.2 miles away
- Kobliska WMA: 411 acres, 3.6 miles away
- Turtle Creek WMA: 320 acres, 4.8 miles away
- Long Prairie River WMA: 965 acres, 6.1 miles away
- Hartford WMA: 162 acres, 6.4 miles away
- Sheets Lake WMA: 132 acres, 8 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Ruff-Nik WMA
Counting Ruff-Nik WMA itself, 1,625 of the 31,017 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (5.2%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 1,060 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 564 |
| Other federal land | 1 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Ruff-Nik WMA?
In Todd County, near Cushing. The DNR's directions: From Cushing, go 3.5 miles west on Morrison County CSAH 16. The Robinson Refuge Unit is on the north side of the road and the South Unit is on the south side of the road.
Which deer permit area is Ruff-Nik WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 214. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Ruff-Nik WMA?
1,625 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Ruff-Nik WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Little Elk WMA (3.2 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Ruff-Nik 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).
FilledTag is not part of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Check the DNR's rules and posted signs before you go.