Hunt unit · Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge

State Game Refuge - Pipestone Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regs

The State Game Refuge - Pipestone unit is one of 5 mapped hunt units on Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge in Pipestone County, MN. It covers approximately 118 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 ↗
118acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Norefuge permit
Pipestone Countycounty

State Game Refuge - Pipestone 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 Minnesota 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 Northern Tallgrass Prairie 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 State Game Refuge - Pipestone unit

Navigate

Destination: center of the State Game Refuge - Pipestone unit

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Decimal
44.02023, -96.32616
DMS
44°01′12.8″N 96°19′34.2″W

Nearest towns

  • Brookings, SD31 mi SE of town
  • Sioux Falls, SD39 mi NE of town
  • Madison, SD39 mi E 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 State Game Refuge - Pipestone

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

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

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:17 AM6:47 AM8:03 PM13h 16m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM7:38 PM12h 35m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:51 AM7:21 AM7:08 PM11h 47m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:08 AM7:38 AM6:43 PM11h 05m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM5:17 PM10h 17m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:49 AM7:19 AM5:00 PM9h 41m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:09 AM7:39 AM4:49 PM9h 10m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:22 AM7:52 AM4:47 PM8h 55m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:29 AM7:59 AM4:56 PM8h 57m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:26 AM7:56 AM5:10 PM9h 14m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:13 AM7:43 AM5:33 PM9h 50m

Computed for 44.020, -96.326 (CDT / 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 Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Refuge-IAOpen990—
Refuge-MNSpecial regs5,409—
State Game Refuge - SpiekerSpecial regs160—
Closed-MNClosed264—

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