Valentine National Wildlife Refuge: 71,516 Acres of Sandhills Hunting

Valentine National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most significant chunks of public hunting land in the Great Plains. Covering 71,516 acres in Cherry County, this refuge sits in the heart of the Nebraska Sandhills and offers a hunting experience that combines waterfowl, big game, and upland birds across a landscape that has not changed much in the last thousand years. If you have never hunted the Sandhills, Valentine NWR is the place to start.

The Sandhills Landscape

The Nebraska Sandhills are the largest grass-stabilized dune system in the Western Hemisphere. The Valentine refuge sits on top of the massive Ogallala Aquifer, which pushes groundwater to the surface and creates dozens of shallow lakes, marshes, and wet meadows scattered across the rolling grass-covered dunes. It is one of the most productive wetland complexes in the Central Flyway.

The mix of open water, emergent marsh, subirrigated meadows, and upland grassland creates habitat diversity that supports an extraordinary range of wildlife. This is not a monoculture landscape — it is layer upon layer of habitat types stacked into one refuge.

Waterfowl Hunting at Valentine NWR

Valentine NWR is a waterfowl paradise. The refuge contains over 30 named lakes and countless smaller wetlands. During fall migration, the lakes host massive concentrations of ducks and geese moving through the Central Flyway. Mallards, pintails, gadwall, wigeon, teal, canvasbacks, and multiple species of divers use the refuge heavily from September through freeze-up.

Certain lakes are open to hunting while others are designated as sanctuary areas where waterfowl can rest undisturbed. Check the current refuge hunting map each year, as open and closed areas can change. The open lakes offer walk-in access for jump shooting and decoy hunting from the shorelines. Small boats and canoes are allowed on some lakes — check regulations before launching.

The best waterfowl hunting typically occurs from mid-October through November as migration waves push fresh birds through the area. A cold front from the north can fill the refuge with birds practically overnight.

Deer Hunting on the Refuge

Both whitetail and mule deer inhabit the refuge. Whitetails concentrate in the woody draws, around lake edges, and in the taller vegetation along drainages. Mule deer prefer the more open dune tops and grassland ridges.

The Sandhills produce some of Nebraska's biggest whitetails. The combination of low hunting pressure, excellent habitat, and agricultural food sources on adjacent ranch land creates conditions for bucks to reach full maturity. Hunting pressure on the refuge itself is remarkably low given its size — most hunters stick to the first half-mile from a road, leaving the interior virtually untouched.

Upland Bird Hunting

Sharp-tailed grouse and prairie chickens thrive in the Sandhills grasslands, and Valentine NWR is one of the best public land spots in the state for both species. October and early November walks through the upland grass produce flushes, especially near the edges of wet meadows where birds feed. Bring a good pointing dog and plan to cover miles — the birds are out there but the country is big.

Access and Planning

The refuge headquarters is located about 18 miles south of the town of Valentine on Highway 83. Multiple two-track roads provide access to different sections of the refuge, but many interior areas require walking. The terrain looks gentle from a distance, but the Sandhills are deceptively tiring to walk — soft sand, steep dune faces, and uneven footing will slow you down.

Valentine, Nebraska is your basecamp. It is a small town with motels, gas, restaurants, and outfitters who know the area. The town sits along the Niobrara River and has a solid tourism economy thanks to the river canoeing trade.

When to Hunt

Waterfowl: mid-October through November for peak migration. Deer: November for the rut, or December for late-season patterns around food. Grouse and prairie chicken: October through early November for the best upland action.

Valentine NWR is public land hunting at its best — vast, wild, and full of game. The Sandhills do not give up their secrets easily, but the rewards for hunters who put in the effort are outstanding.