Location: Christiansen Waterfowl Production Area
Managed by: Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District
Management Address
26624 N. Tower Road
Detroit Lakes MN 56501-7959
This site is situated in a clearing that overlooks a large slew to the east, woods to the west, hill to north and prairie and continuation of the slew to south. It was developed for deer hunters primarily but could be used to duck hunt as well as to observe nature. Visitors are asked to contact the U.S.F.W.S. to obtain a permit at no cost (218) 847-4431. Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District is located in northwest Minnesota and includes the counties of Becker, Clay, Mahnomen, Norman, and Polk - an area of approximately 6,000 square miles. The district is divided into three general landscape areas, roughly equal in size. From west to east, these are: the Red River Valley floodplain, the glacial moraine/prairie pothole region, and the hardwood/coniferous forest.
Description
This ground stand is of plywood construction and gives a hunter protection from the elements on three sides. The deck is also plywood. Users may want to bring a tarp to place across the entrance for further protection. People who use wheelchairs will have to drive as close as possible to the stand in order to enter it because there is no accessible path of travel leading to the stand. The stand is placed within an opening that overlooks is surrounded on all sides by woods and open grass lands. Deer trails cross the openings as they travel back and forth between bedding areas and feeding areas. The shooting here will be at a distance considering the terrain. Vehicles will have to be places some distance away so that the regular patterns of the deer are not upset.
County Road 170 is a minimum maintenance road and if a very wet fall is experienced you may want to have four wheel drive to get past a wet area that has a tendency to get very rutted up. Once past the rutted area the trail is very good. This area is very remote once in the stand with very limited cell phone coverage so people are advised to inform others of your destination with a check in time so that they can call for help in case you do not check in. This site is not visited very frequently by any USFWS staff nor can it be seen from the road so it is doubtful anyone would see a person trying to get help.
The USFWS staff would like visitors to request a Special Use Permit prior to accessing the stand so you will have to call (218) 847-4431 or visit the office in Detroit Lakes.
Location Info » For directions, click the marker in the map. »
Traveling north on Hwy 59 on the north outskirts of Mahnomen Hwy 200 will be intersecting Hwy 59. When this intersection is encountered travelers should turn left (west) and go approximately 9 miles to Cnty Rd 170. Here they should turn south and follow the road way to the WPA. Where the road ends a trail will be found that veers to the left (west) through a clump of trees. The stand is located to the south and east to the first opening found while following the trail, once a old farmstead.
Amenities
Mahnomen, MN offers travelers all the basic amenities including gas, groceries, and food.
Lodging
Shooting Star Casino offers travelers both a Hotel as well as camp ground.
