ALL Refuge gates and roads north of SD HWY 10 will be closed starting September 1st each year. Traditional deer retrieval regulations will still be in effect and can be found in the Sand Lake Hunting and Fishing Regulations.

ALL Refuge gates and roads south of SD HWY 10 will remain open to all Refuge visitors and user groups, including bowhunters until the beginning of the Refuge gun seasons, RFD-SL1 etc.

*New as of 2024* – Two enclosed bale blinds were donated to the Refuge.  The blinds are for all Refuge deer hunters to use but were donated in hopes to increase participation by Youth during the Refuge's 2-week Youth Deer season in September.  Both blinds will be placed on the east side of the Refuge, one near 106th St and the other near 108th St.  The blinds cannot be reserved and can be used on a first come-first serve basis.  A map is posted with exact locations.  

2026

Deer

Resident Archery: September 1st, 2026- November 13th, 2026 and December 14th, 2026 - January 1st, 2027

Non-Resident Archery: October 1st, 2026- November 13th, 2026 and December 14th, 2026 - January 1st, 2027

Youth Deer: September 12, 2026 - September 30, 2026 YOD-13, Refuge is only open north of SD Hwy 10 for this season

Muzzleloader ONLY November 14, 2026 - November 18, 2026 RFD-SL1 

Rifle November 19, 2026 - November 23, 2026 RFD-SL2

Rifle November 24, 2026 - November 29, 2026 RFD-SL3 (No tags issued in 2025 or 2026 seasons for RFD-SL3)

Muzzleloader ONLY November 30, 2026 – December 6, 2026 RFD-SL4

Rifle December 7, 2026 - December 13, 2026 RFD-SL5

Upland Game

Ring-necked Pheasant December 14, 2026 - January 31, 2027

Sharp-tailed Grouse, Grey Partridge December 14, 2026 – January 31, 2027

2026 UPLAND GAME HABITAT CONDITIONS:

To be Updated in 2026