sandhill crane zone · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Northwest Sandhill Crane Zone
Minnesota, United States
The map opens on this unit. Turn on Hunting units in Layers to see its boundary with public land, your pins and the forecast.
About Northwest Sandhill Crane Zone
Northwest Sandhill Crane Zone is a sandhill crane zone in Minnesota, United States, set by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. It covers about 14,779 km² (5,706 mi²). Towns inside it include Thief River Falls, Crookston and Roseau.
HuntGrid draws its boundary from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources's data for the 2026 season. The agency uses this unit system for Sandhill crane.
- Unit code
- Northwest
- Area
- 14,779 km²
- Area (miles)
- 5,706 mi²
- Boundaries
- 2026
Public and protected land mapped inside it
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 1,584 km² of public or protected land inside it, 11% of the unit. Some protected land is privately owned (a conservation group's, for one). By manager, as the source names it:
| Manager | km² | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DNR Wildlife | 1,179 | 8% |
| AGASSIZ NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE | 250 | 2% |
| Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge | 250 | 2% |
| The Nature Conservancy | 72 | under 1% |
| DNR Forestry | 46 | under 1% |
| DNR Ecologic and Water Resources | 20 | under 1% |
| DNR Parks and Trails | 12 | under 1% |
| Marshall County Waterfowl Production Area | 2.1 | under 1% |
| Other or unnamed managers | 7.2 | under 1% |
Boundaries are approximate and aren't legal descriptions. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there: check your local regulations and posted signs.
Public land: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1
Seasons and regulations
Season dates, bag limits and licences for Northwest Sandhill Crane Zone are in Minnesota Department of Natural Resources's official regulations. HuntGrid shows a season in the app only once a person has checked it against them.
Official regulations: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Units around it
Other hunting units that cover part of it
- Kittson County Central (elk zone)
- Deer Permit Area 208
- Deer Permit Area 209
- Deer Permit Area 256
- Deer Permit Area 260
- Deer Permit Area 263
- Deer Permit Area 264
- Deer Permit Area 267
- Turkey Permit Area 509
- Deer Permit Area 661
- No-Quota Area (bear permit area)
- North Zone (duck and goose zone)
- North Furbearer Zone
- Northwest Zone (sharp-tailed grouse zone)
What HuntGrid shows for Northwest Sandhill Crane Zone
- Its boundary on the map; tap inside it for the unit's card with the agency's regulations link.
- Public land and the other hunting units in the same view, each with its source.
- Season dates once a person has checked them, and legal shooting hours where the rule is checked.
- Hourly wind with a scent cone for every stand, and official weather alerts.
- Offline maps: download the area and use the map, your pins and the forecast with no signal.
Questions
How big is Northwest Sandhill Crane Zone?
About 14,779 km² (5,706 mi²), as HuntGrid maps Minnesota Department of Natural Resources's boundary.
How much public or protected land is in Northwest Sandhill Crane Zone?
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 1,584 km² of public or protected land, 11% of the unit; the largest share is managed by DNR Wildlife. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there.
Where are the season dates for Northwest Sandhill Crane Zone?
In Minnesota Department of Natural Resources's official regulations: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hunting/seasons.html
More on huntgrid.net
Sources
Unit boundary: Minnesota DNR (zone definition); U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line. Licence: Zone defined in Minn. R. 6240.0860 and the 2026 regulations (public law); county boundaries and roads public domain (U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line). Boundaries for the 2026 season.
HuntGrid isn't affiliated with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The official regulations and maps have the final word.