The Refuge is 21,500 acres of prime wildlife habitat consisting of open water, wetlands, woodlands, and agriculture. It is located within unit 03A and is home to a variety of species. This hunt requires a special permit.

Good numbers of whitetail can be found along the edges of Columbia Road Reservoir, though water levels can affect access to areas where deer are found.

There is less than 50 ft of elevation change across the entire refuge. The bulk of the refuge is very flat with little roll to the overall landscape and consists mostly of water due to the Columbia Road Reservoir which is the main focal point of the refuge.

A mix of short and tall prairie grass for miles in all directions as well as countless species of wildflowers can be found in most areas of the unit that haven’t been turned for agricultural purposes. Very sparse timber which is primarily a mix of Cottonwood, American Elm, Green Ash, and Bur Oak can be found along the riparian zone of the refuge.

Your main point of access will be State Hwy 10. Refuge roads are closed to vehicle traffic during the deer seasons to ensure a quality hunt for those willing to walk. However, hunters are allowed to drive on refuge roads during designated times to retrieve harvested deer.

Located about 20 miles Southwest at the intersection of 281 and 12 sits Aberdeen, SD which is a town of almost 29,000 people and offers many options in the food, lodging, and shopping categories. If you are looking for a place to camp there are very limited locations, but there are a few established campgrounds in Aberdeen.