Hunt unit · Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge

South Sandhills Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regs

The South Sandhills unit is one of 8 mapped hunt units on Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge in Bennett County, SD. It covers approximately 1,471 acres and is listed as “open – special regulations apply” for 2026–2027. That means hunting is permitted, but refuge-specific rules — such as limited species, dates, weapon types, access methods or quota permits — apply on top of state regulations.

Navigate to unit Refuge overview Official hunt info ↗
1,471acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Norefuge permit
Bennett Countycounty

South Sandhills map

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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
Downloads (whole refuge):KMLGPX

Rules & permits for this unit

Status: Open – special regulations apply

Hunting is allowed, but refuge-specific rules apply in addition to South Dakota regulations. Typical special regulations include limited species or seasons, quota/lottery permits, weapon restrictions (e.g. archery or shotgun only), shooting-hour limits, blind or stand rules and restricted access.

Game at Lacreek NWR

Species listed for the refuge as a whole — a special-regulation unit may be limited to certain species. Confirm in the hunt brochure.

Getting to the South Sandhills unit

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Destination: center of the South Sandhills unit

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Decimal
43.05890, -101.59864
DMS
43°03′32.0″N 101°35′55.1″W

Nearest towns

  • Martin, SD10 mi SE of town
  • Valentine, NE55 mi W of town
  • Alliance, NE93 mi NE of town

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

The navigation point is a point inside the unit polygon, not necessarily a parking area or legal access point. Use satellite view to find roads, gates and designated parking, and respect closed areas and private inholdings.

Shooting hours at this unit

Today at South Sandhills

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, 20265:39 AM6:09 AM7:23 PM13h 14m
Tue, Sep 15, 20265:54 AM6:24 AM6:58 PM12h 34m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:12 AM6:42 AM6:29 PM11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:28 AM6:58 AM6:05 PM11h 07m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:49 AM6:19 AM4:40 PM10h 20m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:08 AM6:38 AM4:24 PM9h 46m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:27 AM6:57 AM4:13 PM9h 16m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM4:12 PM9h 02m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:47 AM7:17 AM4:20 PM9h 03m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:45 AM7:15 AM4:34 PM9h 20m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:32 AM7:02 AM4:56 PM9h 54m

Computed for 43.059, -101.599 (MDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

Weather forecast

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

Other units at Lacreek NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Brown RanchSpecial regs2,613—
Little White River Rec AreaSpecial regs222—
Marty QuarterSpecial regs159—
Pool 9Special regs3,725—
Pool 10Special regs2,154—
West SandhillsSpecial regs1,075—
ClosedClosed5,152—

Back to Lacreek NWR →