Private Land Hunting in Northeast South Dakota
Wild pheasants, whitetails, and waterfowl on a third-generation family farm 10 miles east of Aberdeen. Guided or on your own.
- 5.0 on Google
- Hunting here since the early 2000s
- 10 miles east of Aberdeen
- Guided or self-guided on every hunt
Three seasons, one farm
Wild birds, whitetails, and the waterfowl that funnel past Sand Lake every fall. Pick a hunt to see dates, licenses, and what a day looks like.
Pheasant
Wild birds on private CRP, shelterbelts, and food plots.
- Oct 17 to Jan 31
- 3 roosters a day
- License over the counter
Whitetail deer
Experience the thrill of finding that monster buck that Eastern South Dakota is known for.
- Rifle Nov 21 to Dec 6
- Archery
- Custom stands
Ducks and geese
Central Flyway hunting south of Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
- Snow geese Sep 26 to Jan 8
- Nonresident draw plus leftovers
2026 to 2027 season calendar
Plan around the seasons that matter to you. Overlap a pheasant trip with deer season, or chase snow geese and roosters in the same week.
Dates from South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. Duck and Canada goose seasons run by zone, so check GFP for those dates.
Three steps to a hunt
- Pick your hunt and dates.Use the calendar above, or tell Carl what you want and when you can come.
- Sort out your license.Pheasant licenses are over the counter. Deer and nonresident waterfowl come through state drawings. Each hunt page lays out the path.
- Call or text Carl.He answers the phone himself. 605-715-7770
Carl Hanson, always up for an adventure
As the third generation of farming this land, Carl knows it inside and out. The experiences people have hunting here, as well as Carl's friendly and generous (and sometimes daredevil) personality, is what keeps people coming back year after year.
There's never a dull moment on the Hanson farm. From hand feeding fawns, boating the river, fishing the pond, or building custom deer stands, there is always something going on. You'll likely leave with a story.
★★★★★"Best place ever to hunt deer or pheasant!!"
Google review
Brown County, in the Central Flyway
The farm is about 10 miles east of Aberdeen, where you'll find hotels, restaurants, and outdoor stores. Our campground sits north in Columbia, just south of Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
- From Aberdeen: about 10 miles to the farm
- From Ellendale, ND: 36.2 miles to the campground, about 40 minutes
- Waterfowl: the refuge draws ducks and geese all fall
Sand Lake Campground
5 full-hookup RV sites with electric, water, and sewer. Open all year, pets welcome, about 40 minutes from Ellendale.
See sites and details
Trade a hunt
Have elk, bear, hogs, or a fishing trip to trade? Host us, and we'll host you on South Dakota birds or deer.
Propose a tradeCommon questions
Where is Hanson Hunting?
On our family farm near Bath, South Dakota, about 10 miles east of Aberdeen in Brown County. Our Sand Lake Campground is in Columbia, north of Aberdeen.
What can I hunt here?
Wild pheasants, whitetail deer, ducks and geese, plus high fence deer. Every hunt can be guided or self-guided.
When is the best time to come?
Pheasant season runs October 17 to January 31. East River rifle deer season is November 21 to December 6. Snow geese are open September 26 to January 8. The season calendar on this page shows them side by side.
Do you have lodging?
We do not run a lodge. Hunters stay at our Sand Lake Campground when a site is open, or at a hotel in Aberdeen.
Do I need a license before I call?
No. Call first. Pheasant licenses are sold over the counter. Deer and nonresident waterfowl licenses come through state drawings, and Carl can help you figure out the timing.
How do I book?
Call or text Carl at 605-715-7770, or send the form at the bottom of any page.
Ready to hunt? Talk to Carl.
Call or text for open dates and rates. Or send a note and Carl will get back to you.
605-715-7770Call or text. Email carlhanson1671@gmail.com