Hunting/Trapping Information & Migration Updates
Waterfowl Migration
Waterfowl reports provided during the migration period. Please call the 24-hour hunter information line at 605-885-6401 for the most recent update. Reports will be updated as the spring snow goose migration progresses.
Click here for the Spring 2013 Waterfowl Migration Report.
Click on the below waterfowl migration seasons to view previous reports.
| Fall 2012 (166 KB) | Spring 2012 (15 KB) | Fall 2011 (19 KB) | Spring 2011 (16 KB) | Fall 2010 (17 KB) |
Click here for a compiled list of peak waterfowl migration numbers from 1982 to the present. (37 KB)
For statewide migration information visit the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Outdoor Reports webpage.
2012 Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge Hunter Information
For additional information pertaining to seasons, licensing, bag limits, and hunting in general visit the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks website.
Refuge Deer Season Overview
| Archery | October 15, 2012 to November 9, 2012 | ||
| Muzzleloader | November 10, 2012 to November 14, 2012 | RFD-SL1 | |
| Rifle | November 15, 2012 to November 19, 2012 | RFD-SL2 | |
| Rifle | November 20, 2012 to November 25, 2012 | RFD-SL3 | |
| Rifle | Closed | RFD-SL4 | |
| Rifle | December 3, 2012 to December 9, 2012 | RFD-SL5 | |
| Archery | December 10, 2012 to January 15, 2013 | ||
2012 Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge Deer Hunting Regulations (Read Carefully - New Information)
Deer (Firearm)
Only hunters with a Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge permit may
hunt. Hunters are only allowed in the refuge on the days covered by their
deer license. Unlicensed persons are not allowed in the refuge hunting zones at any time during the refuge hunting seasons.
Deer (Archery)
A special permit is not needed. Hunters with a valid South Dakota Statewide or East River Any Deer state archery license may
hunt in the refuge with the exception of an Antlerless Archery tag. Antlerless Archery tags are not valid in the Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
Hunting Hours
Deer hunters may enter the refuge one (1) hour before shooting time. No hunters may remain in the refuge later than one
(1) hour after shooting time ends. For special situations, contact refuge personnel.
Parking
Deer hunters entering the refuge are encouraged to park
their vehicles in designated parking lots. Archery hunters hunting in the headquarters area may not park
in the headquarters parking lot and must use other parking areas designed for hunters.
Closed Areas
See Deer Hunting map for locations of closed areas.
Please note additional *new* closed area. The area from 117th Ave. north to Sand Lake Drive, and from Brown County Highway 16 east
to the James River channel is now closed to all hunting.
Camping
Camping is not allowed in the refuge, in the refuge parking lots, or in the SD Game, Fish and Parks Game Production Areas adjacent to the refuge.
Party Hunting
Each hunter may take only his/her permitted number of deer. After filling their tag(s), hunters may accompany members
of their party in the field, but must be unarmed.
Deer Retrieval
Vehicles are allowed in the refuge only for retrieving harvested deer and only during
the following times: 9:30a.m.-10:00 a.m., 1:30p.m.-2:00 p.m., and from the end of shooting time to one
(1) hour after the end of shooting time. Vehicles are allowed only on established roads and trails. Snowmobiles and
all-terrain vehicles are not permitted. Some portions of roads are closed due to flood damage. Barricades have
been placed at these areas. Do not drive around barricades.
Dates to Place Deer Stands
*New Regulation* Hunters may place their deer stands or
blinds during their designated licensed season only. Tree stands and blinds can only be placed on
the refuge during your license period and must be removed when your licensed
season has ended. Early tree stand placement is no longer allowed. Archery
hunters cannot leave stands in the refuge during the deer firearms season, including areas where rifle hunting is not allowed.
Tree Stand/Portable Blind Requirements
The use of nails, screws, bolts, or screw-in type steps is prohibited in
national wildlife refuges. The name and address or the year and current deer tag number of the owner or user must be on the stand and must be legible
from the ground. Other elevated platform devices, not attached to a tree, and all portable blinds must conform with the date and labeling
requirements. The construction or use of permanent tree stands is prohibited.
Placement of Blinds/Stands
The placement of portable blinds and stands in unharvested row crops is not allowed until November 1.
Please be aware that the refuge has an annual fall prescribed burning program October 16-31. Adjust your hunt/position accordingly.
Boundaries of the proposed burn sites will be posted/marked. If unsure, check with the refuge headquarters personnel for exact locations. (Update -
no planned burns scheduled for this fall)
Hunter Orange
All refuge firearm deer hunters must wear a minimum of 400 square inches of solid fluorescent orange
material on the head, chest, and back, which must be visible at all times. A vest and hat meets this requirement. Camouflage orange
material is not legal.
Bicycles
Bicycles are not allowed. Access is by walk-in only.
Boats
Motorized and non-motorized boating is not allowed.
Littering
Do not discard garbage or gut piles in or near parking lots!
Trail Monitor Cameras
These devices are not allowed in the refuge.
Ice Conditions
Ice conditions on the James River can be extremely unstable and weak. Use extreme caution!
Click here for printable PDF map and Deer Hunting Regulations (300 KB)
2012 Sand Lake National Wildlife Upland Game Hunting Regulations (Read Carefully - New Information)
Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge Upland Game Season - December 10, 2012 - January 6, 2013.
Species
Hunting is only allowed for the sharp-tailed grouse, grey partridge, and male ring-necked pheasant.
Season Hours
Upland game hunters may be in the refuge between the hours of 10:00 am to sunset.
Upland game hunters are not allowed to enter the refuge until 10:00 am.
Vehicles
Vehicles are not allowed in the refuge. All hunters must walk from the refuge
boundary and/or parking lots. Parking areas are available along the boundary of the refuge.
Closed Areas
See Upland Game Hunting map for locations of closed areas.
Please note additional *new* closed area. The area from 117th Ave. north to Sand Lake Drive, and from Brown County Highway 16 east
to the James River channel is now closed to all hunting.
Firearms
No firearms, other than shotguns, may be in possession while hunting upland game in the refuge.
Non-toxic Shot
Upland game hunters are required to use non-toxic shot while hunting in the Sand Lake
National Wildlife Refuge. The possession of lead shot by hunters in the field is a violation of this regulation. Non-toxic shot includes steel shot,
bismuth-tin, tungsten-polymer, tungsten-matrix, tungsten-iron-fluoropolymer, and any combination of tungsten, iron, nickel, tin, copper, or
bismuth. Coated lead shot does not qualify as non-toxic shot. A list of approved non-toxic shot can be found at the
Migratory Bird Program page.
Littering
Please do not litter or discard game bird entrails or plumage in parking areas!
Camping
Camping is not allowed in the refuge, in refuge parking areas, or in SD Game, Fish and
Parks Game Production Areas adjacent to the refuge.
Hunter Orange
Hunters are encouraged to wear at minimum a hunter orange cap when hunting the
tall, dense cattail cover for their own safety and to alert other hunters of their presence.
Click here for printable PDF map and Upland Game Hunting Regulations (525 KB)
2012 Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge Waterfowl Seasons:
| Youth | Sept. 22, 2012 - Sept. 23, 2012 | |
| Duck | Sept. 29, 2012 - Dec. 11, 2012 | |
| Canada Goose | Sept. 1, 2012 - Dec. 16, 2012 | |
| August Goose Mgmt Take Dates | Aug. 4, 2012 - Aug. 26, 2012 | |
| Fall Light Goose Dates | Sept. 29, 2012 - Dec. 23, 2012 | |
| Spring Light Goose Dates | 2013 Season Dates Pending |
For licensing and regulations related to the August Goose Management Take visit the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks August Goose Management Take page.
For licensing and regulations related to spring light goose hunting visit the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Spring Light Goose Hunting page.
Waterfowl
Please note that waterfowl hunting in the Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge is
boundary hunting only, in the road right-of-way - no interior waterfowl hunting is allowed. Water
levels fluctuate on a yearly basis and often areas open to waterfowl hunting
are dry. The best times to hunt the refuge are windy days with a low cloud
ceiling for pass shooting. Please call ahead for additional information.
Waterfowl hunting is not allowed in Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge; however, waterfowl hunting is allowed on the road right-of-ways adjacent to the refuge. Other road right-of-way closures are marked on site or on the waterfowl map. No interior waterfowl hunting is permitted. All state, federal, and refuge waterfowl hunting regulations apply. Please consult the 2012 South Dakota Hunting & Trapping Handbook for licensing, seasons, legal species, and general information or visit South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks.
Legally taken waterfowl may be retrieved (unarmed) from within a zone 100 yards deep, extending along the entire perimeter of the Refuge. The end of the retrieval zone is unmarked.
Roads and Parking Areas
The following road right-of-ways are closed to hunting.
- Brown County Highway 16 from the south boundary of the refuge extending five (5) miles north to 114th Street.
- State Highway 10 across the refuge, Brown County Highway 5 across the refuge.
- A section of 117th Street marked on the map.
Reminders
- Use of non-toxic shot only is required. Non-toxic shot includes steel shot, bismuth-tin, tungsten-polymer, tungsten-matrix, tungsten-iron-fluoropolymer,
and any combination of tungsten, iron, nickel, tin, copper, or bismuth. Coated lead shot does not qualify as non-toxic shot. A list of approved non-toxic shot can be found at the
Migratory Bird Program page.
- All hunters age 16 and over must have a current Federal Duck Stamp.
- When driving on refuge interior roads, all firearms must be unloaded and cased.
Click here for printable PDF map and Waterfowl Hunting Regulations (478 KB)
Waterfowl Production Area Hunting
Hunting is allowed on all U.S. Fish and Wildlife Waterfowl Production Areas within the Sand Lake Wetland Management District (Brown, Campbell, Edmunds, Faulk, McPherson, Potter, Spink, and Walworth Counties). Please consult the 2012 South Dakota Hunting & Trapping Handbook for seasons/regulations.
Corn and soybean fields located on a Waterfowl Production Area can be hunted by the public without any special permission's.
Why are there corn and soybean fields on WPAs? Invasive species impact wildlife habitats throughout the area. Two invasive species of concern are Smooth Bromegrass and Kentucky Bluegrass. These introduced species can invade native grasslands and reduce wildlife habitat and biodiversity. The presence of invasive plants can alter the functioning of ecosystems by degrading wildlife habitat, displacing native species, and changing carrying capacity through reduced forage production, lower plant diversity, and increased soil erosion and sedimentation. The spread of invasive plants occurs by root spread or by seed dispersal, with wind, water, humans, equipment, and animals acting as transport mechanisms. Such plants are not only problematic on Waterfowl Production Areas, they also infest rangelands and croplands across South Dakota.
Corn and soybean fields observed on various WPAs are located on formerly broken ground (sod-busted) that is nearly 100% invaded by Smooth Brome and Kentucky Bluegrass. We have initiated a 4 year farming plan on these tracts of land to prepare the ground for a native grass/forb mix in year 5. The 4 years of farming prepares the seedbed making it relatively free of weed seeds. After five years, the WPA will have a high diversity native seeding that will be much more productive for wildlife resources than Smooth Brome and Kentucky Bluegrass. Fees generated from farming these acres are used to purchase the grass/forb seed.
Trapping
Trapping is allowed on all U.S. Fish and Wildlife Waterfowl Production Areas within the Sand Lake Wetland Management District (Brown, Campbell, Edmunds, Faulk, McPherson, Potter, Spink, and Walworth Counties). Please consult the 2012 South Dakota Hunting & Trapping Handbook for seasons/regulations. Trapping is not allowed on the Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge or within the road right-of-way.
For additional information on migration, hunting, trapping, seasons, licensing, and bag limits visit the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks website.
