Bring your shotgun for pheasants, sharptail grouse, and possibly a greater prairie chicken
There is very little state land and walk-in access in this unit -without prior arrangements for private access made, there is very little opportunity to hunt here
Species
General Size
Trophy Potential
Mule Deer
120"-140"
160"+
Whitetail Deer
110"-140"
150"+
On The Ground
Terrain
Vegetation
Access
Camping and Lodging
Historical Temperatures
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Moon Phases
November 2024
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This is a great opportunity in a portion of the state where access is very limited. The LaCreek Wildlife Refuge takes up a large piece of real estate in this unit to the tune of over 16,000 acres along the Lake Creek which winds its way through the entire refuge. With multiple lakes and creek bottoms between each of them, this is fantastic habitat for whitetail deer, pheasants, and sharptail grouse. If you are looking to hunt mule deer, the southern sandhills of this unit can produce some nice deer, but access is very limited there, so be prepared to knock on some doors, or have prior arrangements on a piece of property in order to be successful.
Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge is a 16,000+ acre wildlife haven that holds a fantastic population of whitetail deer, pheasant, sharptail grouse, and many different species of waterfowl, along with many other small mammals and birds.
The terrain in this unit is quite different from many in South Dakota as it is the transition zone between the sandhills region, which is primarily in Nebraska, but creeps into the southern half of this unit as well as the northern prairie which makes up the northern half; this, along with the LaCreek Wildlife Refuge, make for large variations in the terrain. Overall, there is little change in elevation and you can expect to encounter mostly rolling terrain.
This unit is a transition zone for two major ecosystems with a third ecosystem set right in the middle. To the south you can find sandhills similar to what you would find throughout northern Nebraska, and to the north you have moved into the prairie where you will find a mix of tall and short prairie grass and CRP for miles in all directions. The limited agricultural land in the area will be found in the northern portion of the unit. Lacreek Wildlife Refuge, spanning over 16,000 acres, is located in the center of the unit and is essentially a swamp created by the Lake Creek which runs through the entire length of the refuge spilling into lake after lake as it makes its way through the refuge. This riverbottom has scattered timber including Cottonwood, American Elm, Green Ash, and Bur Oak lining the edges of much of the water system. As you move through the riparian zone you will find a healthy mix of marsh vegetation to include cattails, as well as different prairie grass and wildflowers.
There are a number of county roads scattered across this unit making it quite easy to get from one side of the unit to the other. US Hwy 18 runs along the northern border of the unit and State Highway 73 runs north and south through the unit. Each of these highways are the main access points into different areas of the unit. If you are looking to access the LaCreek Wildlife Refuge, you will need to come in from Eli Road, and the Headquarters Public Access Road. Heading south off of US Hwy 18 is 231st Ave which will take you to Tuthill, where you will turn west on 293rd Street and head to the northeast corner of the refuge.
Martin City, located in Bennett County, has a population of just over a thousand people and is the main hub for this portion of the state despite its size. It is located on the north-central border of the unit along US Hwy 18 where State Hwy 73 heads south into the unit. Being that it serves not only the town's residents but the surrounding farmers as well, there is a little more available than would normally be expected in a town of this size including a grocery store, and one hotel, the Cross Roads Inn if you need a place to stay. However, this is quite a long ways from many portions of the unit, and if you have access to a piece of property, it would be best to plan well ahead and have what you need before you make your way into the unit. There are no public camping locations in the unit including on the LaCreek Wildlife Refuge.