National Wildlife Refuge · South Dakota · FWS Region 6

Bear Butte National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Meade County, South Dakota, Bear Butte National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, within an approved boundary of roughly 402 acres. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 1 mapped hunt unit: 1 open under general rules, covering about 402 huntable acres.

1 open unit
View hunt map Directions
1hunt units
402huntable acres
402boundary acres
6game categories

Bear Butte NWR hunt unit map

Hunt units are colored by 2026–2027 status. Toggle layers for FWS-owned land, the approved refuge boundary and private easements. Use satellite imagery to scout marshes, timber edges and access points.

Loading interactive map…
OpenSpecial regulationsClosedFWS-owned landWPA (public)Refuge boundaryEasement (private) Tip: switch to Satellite or USGS Topo in the layer menu · click the map for GPS coordinates
Take it into the field: KML (Google Earth / onX) GPX waypoints GeoJSON

Hunting at Bear Butte NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsWild TurkeySpring and fall wild turkeyUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill craneSmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammals

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow South Dakota regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (1)

Acreage by status
Open: 402 (100%)402huntable acres
  • Open402 ac 100%
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Station Open 402 —

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Not listed

USFWS does not list a separate refuge permit for this station. Specific units or hunts (e.g. quota deer hunts) may still require one — check the hunt brochure.

You'll also need

  • A valid South Dakota hunting license and any required tags or stamps — South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
  • Federal Duck Stamp (waterfowl hunters 16+) and HIP certification for migratory birds
  • Non-toxic shot for waterfowl (federal requirement)
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Bear Butte NWR

    State fishing licenses and regulations apply. Some waters close seasonally to protect wildlife.

    How to get to Bear Butte NWR

    Navigate

    Destination: Bear Butte National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

    Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
    Decimal
    44.45621, -103.44529
    DMS
    44°27′22.4″N 103°26′43.0″W

    Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

    Nearest towns

    • Rapid City, SD28 mi N of town
    • Gillette, WY102 mi E of town
    • Martin, SD123 mi NW of town
    • Pierre, SD153 mi W of town

    Closest airports

    • RAP Rapid City Regional34 mi
    • PIR Pierre Regional156 mi

    Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

    The navigation point is the station reference location published by USFWS — often the headquarters or main entrance. For a specific hunt unit, open its page or click it on the map for coordinates and parking planning.

    Sunrise, sunset & shooting hours

    Today at Bear Butte NWR

    Legal light*–
    Sunrise–
    Sunset–

    *½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in Denver local time.

    Full season calculator →

    2026–2027 season sun table

    DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
    Tue, Sep 1, 20265:45 AM6:15 AM7:32 PM13h 18m
    Tue, Sep 15, 20266:01 AM6:31 AM7:06 PM12h 36m
    Thu, Oct 1, 20266:19 AM6:49 AM6:36 PM11h 47m
    Thu, Oct 15, 20266:37 AM7:07 AM6:11 PM11h 04m
    Sun, Nov 1, 20265:59 AM6:29 AM4:44 PM10h 15m
    Sun, Nov 15, 20266:19 AM6:49 AM4:28 PM9h 39m
    Tue, Dec 1, 20266:39 AM7:09 AM4:16 PM9h 07m
    Tue, Dec 15, 20266:52 AM7:22 AM4:14 PM8h 52m
    Fri, Jan 1, 20276:59 AM7:29 AM4:23 PM8h 54m
    Fri, Jan 15, 20276:56 AM7:26 AM4:37 PM9h 11m
    Mon, Feb 1, 20276:43 AM7:13 AM5:00 PM9h 48m

    Computed for 44.456, -103.445 (MDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

    7-day hunting weather

    Loading National Weather Service forecast…

    Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

    Bear Butte NWR FAQ

    Is hunting allowed at Bear Butte NWR?

    Yes. Bear Butte National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (402 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

    Do I need a permit to hunt Bear Butte NWR?

    FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Bear Butte NWR. You still need a valid state license, any required state tags or stamps, and (for waterfowl hunters 16+) a Federal Duck Stamp.

    Can you fish at Bear Butte NWR?

    Yes. Fishing is permitted. State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

    Where is Bear Butte NWR located?

    Bear Butte National Wildlife Refuge is in Meade County, South Dakota, about 28 miles N of Rapid City, SD (straight-line). GPS: 44.45621, -103.44529.

    What are legal shooting hours at Bear Butte NWR?

    Migratory game bird shooting hours are generally one-half hour before sunrise to sunset; big game and other seasons follow state rules. See the sunrise/sunset table on this page and confirm in the refuge hunt brochure.

    Nearby refuges & public land

    D.C. Booth Historic NFH

    Lawrence County, SD · 21 mi W

    1 closed
    No hunting listed

    Stewart Lake NWR

    Slope County, ND · 131 mi N

    1 special1 closed
    🦌🦃🐦🐇

    638 huntable acres

    Lacreek NWR

    Bennett County, SD · 132 mi SE

    7 special1 closed
    🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇🎣

    11.4K huntable acres

    White Lake NWR

    Slope County, ND · 140 mi N

    1 special
    🦌🦃🐦🐇

    1K huntable acres

    North Platte NWR

    Scotts Bluff County, NE · 171 mi S

    2 special2 closed
    🦌🦃🐦🐇🎣

    1.5K huntable acres

    Fort Niobrara NWR

    Cherry County, NE · 185 mi SE

    1 special1 closed
    🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

    5.1K huntable acres

    All refuges in South Dakota →

    Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated September 29, 2026.