Waubay NWR
Day County, SD · 13 mi E
4.6K huntable acres
Waterfowl Production Area · Day County, South Dakota
Hansen-Johnson Waterfowl Production Area is a 124-acre tract of federally owned wetland and grassland habitat in Day County, South Dakota. It is managed by the Waubay Wetland Management District as part of the Day County Waterfowl Production Area group of WPAs. Waterfowl Production Areas are purchased largely with Federal Duck Stamp dollars and are generally open to hunting, trapping and fishing under state regulations, with some federal restrictions.
Gold outlines are fee-title Waterfowl Production Areas — public land. Everything outside is typically private; always look for boundary signs.
Destination: Hansen-Johnson Waterfowl Production Area
45.38619, -97.5888845°23′10.3″N 97°35′20.0″WStraight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.
*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in Chicago local time.
Full season calculator →| Date | Shooting light | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Sep 1, 2026 | 6:20 AM | 6:50 AM | 8:10 PM | 13h 20m |
| Tue, Sep 15, 2026 | 6:37 AM | 7:07 AM | 7:44 PM | 12h 37m |
| Thu, Oct 1, 2026 | 6:56 AM | 7:26 AM | 7:13 PM | 11h 46m |
| Thu, Oct 15, 2026 | 7:14 AM | 7:44 AM | 6:47 PM | 11h 02m |
| Sun, Nov 1, 2026 | 6:38 AM | 7:08 AM | 5:19 PM | 10h 11m |
| Sun, Nov 15, 2026 | 6:58 AM | 7:28 AM | 5:02 PM | 9h 34m |
| Tue, Dec 1, 2026 | 7:19 AM | 7:49 AM | 4:50 PM | 9h 01m |
| Tue, Dec 15, 2026 | 7:32 AM | 8:02 AM | 4:48 PM | 8h 45m |
| Fri, Jan 1, 2027 | 7:39 AM | 8:09 AM | 4:56 PM | 8h 47m |
| Fri, Jan 15, 2027 | 7:36 AM | 8:06 AM | 5:11 PM | 9h 05m |
| Mon, Feb 1, 2027 | 7:22 AM | 7:52 AM | 5:34 PM | 9h 43m |
Computed for 45.386, -97.589 (CDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.
Loading National Weather Service forecast…
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.
| WPA | Acres | Distance | County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peterson WPA | 28 | 1.7 mi S | Day County |
| Bailly WPA | 37 | 2.0 mi NW | Day County |
| Holden WPA | 81 | 3.0 mi NW | Day County |
| Akerson WPA | 147 | 3.2 mi SW | Day County |
| Hawkinson WPA | 41 | 3.8 mi E | Day County |
| Rumpca WPA | 98 | 4.3 mi E | Day County |
| South Taylor WPA | 160 | 4.4 mi NE | Day County |
| Hilt WPA | 62 | 4.6 mi SE | Day County |
Source: USFWS Realty Tracts (fee-title interest), Day County Waterfowl Production Area. Acreage from GIS polygons; deeded acreage from realty records.