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Drone Rules for Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge

Zimmerman, Minnesota (MN) • United States
17076 293rd Ave NW, Zimmerman, MN 55398, USA
Lat: 45.4959 • Lng: -93.6914
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 30, 2026
Summary
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USFWS prohibits drones on Sherburne NWR northwest of Minneapolis. The refuge hosts the state's largest nesting population of trumpeter swans on the managed impoundments.

Drone Rules - Sherburne NWR, Minnesota

Drones are prohibited under USFWS Director's Order 210.

Airspace / Site Context

  • Located ~45 NM northwest of Minneapolis; Minneapolis-Saint Paul (MSP) Class B outer ring extends ~30 NM from the city -- check LAANC for the exact boundary at Sherburne
  • Minnesota's largest trumpeter swan nesting population; incubating pairs are highly sensitive to overhead disturbance (April-June)
  • St. Cloud Regional (STC) Class D is ~20 NM northwest; B4UFLY consultation recommended for the Sherburne area

Key Rules

  • Trumpeter swan nesting (April-June): USFWS enforces 600-ft lateral buffer from all occupied nests
  • LAANC check required for flights near STC Class D or any MSP Class B spillover into Sherburne County
  • USFWS Special Use Permit required; swan research permits require USFWS Midwest Region waterfowl coordinator approval

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