Waubay NWR
Day County, SD · 0.5 mi SW
✓1 open✕1 closed
🦌🎣
4.6K huntable acres
Waubay WMD 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
Hunting at Waubay WMD
- Big Game
- Waterfowl
- Wild Turkey
- Upland Birds
- Migratory Birds
- Small Game
-
Feral & Exotic - Fishing
Permitted hunting categories are big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing.
Waubay Wetland Management District is very popular with local pheasant and deer hunters, but many overlook the many waterfowl opportunities found here.
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)
- Open41,098 ac 100%
| Unit | Status | Acres | Permit | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPA Open Show on map · Directions |
✓Open | 41,098 | — |
Waubay WMD by the numbers
With about 41,098 huntable acres, Waubay WMD ranks #3 of 11 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in South Dakota and #67 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 100% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.
The largest huntable unit is WPA Open (41,098 acres).
Besides 41,082 acres of federally owned land, the station administers conservation easements on about 289,969 acres of private land. Easement land protects habitat but is not open to public hunting.
6 Waterfowl Production Areas lie within 35 miles; the closest is Lewno WPA (148 acres, 2 miles S).
When to hunt Waubay WMD
Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. South Dakota sets the exact dates, and refuges often open fewer days than the statewide season — use this to plan scouting, then confirm the 2026–2027 dates in the state regulations and the refuge hunt brochure.
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
🦆 Waterfowl
🦃 Wild Turkey
🐦 Upland Birds
🕊️ Migratory Birds
🐇 Small Game
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 Waubay WMD
- 🐟 Freshwater fishing
Fishing opportunities vary widely by unit and season. Most units have no fisheries, but during high water periods, good fishing for walleye, perch and northern pike may occur on a handful of tracts.
State fishing licenses and regulations apply. Some waters close seasonally to protect wildlife.
How to get to Waubay WMD
Navigate
Destination: Waubay Wetland Management District (FWS reference point)
- Decimal
45.42488, -97.32675- DMS
45°25′29.6″N 97°19′36.3″W
Nearest towns
- Watertown, SD38 mi N of town
- Aberdeen, SD56 mi E of town
- Wahpeton, ND68 mi SW of town
- Morris, MN70 mi W of town
Closest airports
- ABR Aberdeen Regional53 mi
- FAR Fargo Hector Intl106 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 Waubay WMD
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
| Date | Shooting light | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Sep 1, 2026 | 6:19 AM | 6:49 AM | 8:09 PM | 13h 20m |
| Tue, Sep 15, 2026 | 6:36 AM | 7:06 AM | 7:43 PM | 12h 37m |
| Thu, Oct 1, 2026 | 6:55 AM | 7:25 AM | 7:11 PM | 11h 46m |
| Thu, Oct 15, 2026 | 7:13 AM | 7:43 AM | 6:46 PM | 11h 02m |
| Sun, Nov 1, 2026 | 6:37 AM | 7:07 AM | 5:18 PM | 10h 11m |
| Sun, Nov 15, 2026 | 6:57 AM | 7:27 AM | 5:00 PM | 9h 34m |
| Tue, Dec 1, 2026 | 7:18 AM | 7:48 AM | 4:48 PM | 9h 01m |
| Tue, Dec 15, 2026 | 7:31 AM | 8:01 AM | 4:46 PM | 8h 45m |
| Fri, Jan 1, 2027 | 7:38 AM | 8:08 AM | 4:55 PM | 8h 47m |
| Fri, Jan 15, 2027 | 7:35 AM | 8:05 AM | 5:10 PM | 9h 05m |
| Mon, Feb 1, 2027 | 7:21 AM | 7:51 AM | 5:33 PM | 9h 43m |
Computed for 45.425, -97.327 (CDT / 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.
Waterfowl Production Areas managed by Waubay WMD
This district manages 194 named WPAs totaling 41,082 acres of walk-in public land. The largest are listed below; each links to its county guide with a satellite map and directions.
| WPA | County | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| O'Farrell WPA | Grant County | 1,673 |
| Dry Lake WPA | Clark County | 1,489 |
| Meyer Lake WPA | Grant County | 1,315 |
| Cottonwood Lake WPA | Marshall County | 1,278 |
| Jensen WPA | Marshall County | 1,151 |
| Lake Emma WPA | Marshall County | 1,024 |
| North Red Iron Lake WPA | Marshall County | 928 |
| Lardy WPA | Day County | 841 |
| Ruckdaschel WPA | Marshall County | 823 |
| Huppler-Springer WPA | Codington County | 725 |
| Roe WPA | Codington County | 715 |
| Horseshoe Lake WPA | Codington County | 669 |
| Wike WPA | Roberts County | 661 |
| Peterson Memorial WPA | Marshall County | 647 |
| Augustana WPA | Day County | 643 |
| E. Hanson WPA | Day County | 597 |
| Warner Lake WPA | Clark County | 586 |
| Lcfj WPA | Marshall County | 558 |
| Berwald WPA | Roberts County | 558 |
| Kriech-Lanager WPA | Day County | 513 |
| Loberg WPA | Roberts County | 483 |
| Abraham Lake WPA | Marshall County | 469 |
| Bursvold-Darling WPA | Codington County | 444 |
| Lake Emma WPA | Roberts County | 426 |
| Hamman WPA | Day County | 416 |
Showing the 25 largest of 194. All tracts are on the map above and in the KML download.
Guides for hunting Waubay WMD
Deer Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Quota Hunts, Archery Units and Stand Rules
How refuge deer hunts work — lotteries and quota permits, archery-only and muzzleloader units, tree-stand rules…
Public-Land Duck Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Tactics That Work
How to find ducks, beat the crowds and set up on refuge marshes and WPAs — scouting, timing, small decoy spreads for…
Federal Duck Stamp Explained: Who Needs One, Where to Buy It and Where the Money Goes
Everything waterfowl hunters need to know about the Federal Duck Stamp — who must carry it, signing rules, the…
Nontoxic Shot Guide for Refuge and WPA Hunters
Why lead shot is banned for waterfowl, which nontoxic loads are approved, how steel, bismuth and tungsten compare, and…
Turkey Hunting on Wildlife Refuges: Lotteries, Pressured Birds and Safety
How spring and fall turkey hunts work on National Wildlife Refuges, how to scout and call public-land gobblers, and…
Pheasant and Upland Bird Hunting on Waterfowl Production Areas
Why WPAs are some of the best walk-in pheasant ground in the Midwest, how to hunt them early and late in the season…
Waubay WMD FAQ
Is hunting allowed at Waubay WMD?
Yes. Waubay Wetland Management District offers hunting in 1 unit (41,098 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 Waubay WMD?
FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Waubay WMD. 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 Waubay WMD?
Yes. Fishing is permitted (freshwater fishing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.
Where is Waubay WMD located?
Waubay Wetland Management District is in Day County, South Dakota, about 38 miles N of Watertown, SD (straight-line). GPS: 45.42488, -97.32675.
What are legal shooting hours at Waubay WMD?
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
Tewaukon WMD
Sargent County, ND · 40 mi N
✓1 open
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣
16K huntable acres
Tewaukon NWR
Sargent County, ND · 40 mi N
!3 special✕1 closed
🦌🦃🐦🐇🎣
6.9K huntable acres
Big Stone NWR
Lac qui Parle County, MN · 49 mi E
!2 special✕1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣
9.6K huntable acres
Big Stone WMD
Big Stone County, MN · 49 mi E
!1 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣
4.4K huntable acres
Sand Lake NWR
Brown County, SD · 51 mi NW
!2 special✕1 closed
🦌🐦🎣
19.5K huntable acres
Waterfowl Production Areas within 35 miles
- Lewno WPA 148 ac · 1.7 mi S
- Wika WPA 40 ac · 3.9 mi NW
- Nicolay WPA 40 ac · 4.6 mi SW
- Gruba WPA 134 ac · 6.0 mi N
- Zenk WPA 227 ac · 6.7 mi SW
- Gonsoir WPA 90 ac · 6.8 mi W
Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated October 28, 2026.