deer hunting unit · South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
East River deer unit ERD-43A (Lake County)
South Dakota, United States
The map opens on this unit. Turn on Hunting units in Layers to see its boundary with public land, your pins and the forecast.
About East River deer unit ERD-43A (Lake County)
East River deer unit ERD-43A (Lake County) is a deer hunting unit in South Dakota, United States, set by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. It covers about 1,490 km² (575 mi²). The town of Madison is inside it.
HuntGrid draws its boundary from South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks's data for the 2026 season. The agency uses this unit system for White-tailed deer and Mule deer.
- Unit code
- 43A
- Area
- 1,490 km²
- Area (miles)
- 575 mi²
- Boundaries
- 2026
Public and protected land mapped inside it
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 42 km² of public or protected land inside it, 3% of the unit. Some protected land is privately owned (a conservation group's, for one). By manager, as the source names it:
| Manager | km² | Share |
|---|---|---|
| LAKE COUNTY WATERFOWL PRODUCTION AREA OF SD | 25 | 2% |
| Lake County Waterfowl Production Area Of Sd | 25 | 2% |
| Unknown | 17 | 1% |
| City of Madison | 0.3 | under 1% |
| BROOKINGS COUNTY WATERFOWL PRODUCTION AREA | 0.0 | under 1% |
| Minnehaha County Waterfowl Production Area | 0.0 | under 1% |
| Brookings County Waterfowl Production Area | 0.0 | under 1% |
| MINNEHAHA COUNTY WATERFOWL PRODUCTION AREA | 0.0 | under 1% |
Boundaries are approximate and aren't legal descriptions. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there: check your local regulations and posted signs.
Public land: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1
Seasons and regulations
Seasons for this unit that a person has checked against South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks's regulations:
| Species | Dates | Details |
|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Sep 1, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027 | antlerless, archery, residents source |
| White-tailed deer | Oct 1, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027 | antlerless, archery, non-residents source |
| Mule deer | Nov 21, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | firearm, draw source |
| White-tailed deer | Nov 21, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | antlerless, firearm, draw source |
| White-tailed deer | Nov 21, 2026 to Dec 6, 2026 | firearm, draw source |
| White-tailed deer | Dec 1, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027 | antlerless, muzzleloader source |
| White-tailed deer | Dec 12, 2026 to Dec 20, 2026 | antlerless, firearm, draw source |
The official regulations have the final word: check them before you hunt.
Units around it
Next to it in the same unit system
- East River deer unit ERD-01A (Minnehaha County)
- East River deer unit ERD-06A (Brookings County)
- East River deer unit ERD-42A (Kingsbury County)
- East River deer unit ERD-46A (McCook County)
- East River deer unit ERD-51A (Miner County)
- East River deer unit ERD-52A (Moody County)
Other hunting units that cover part of it
- Archery deer unit ER1 (East River) (archery and muzzleloader deer unit)
- Prairie elk unit ERA (East River) (elk hunting unit)
- East River zone (bobcat zone)
- Low Plains middle zone (duck zone)
- Nonresident waterfowl unit NRW-00B
- Nonresident 3-day waterfowl unit NRW-00Z (private land only) (nonresident waterfowl unit)
- Prairie (outside the Fire Protection District) (mountain lion zone)
- Archery and muzzleloader deer unit ST1 (statewide except Custer State Park)
- Tundra swan unit TSW-00A
- Dark goose Unit 1 (goose hunting unit)
What HuntGrid shows for East River deer unit ERD-43A (Lake County)
- Its boundary on the map; tap inside it for the unit's card with the agency's regulations link.
- Public land and the other hunting units in the same view, each with its source.
- Season dates once a person has checked them, and legal shooting hours where the rule is checked.
- Hourly wind with a scent cone for every stand, and official weather alerts.
- Offline maps: download the area and use the map, your pins and the forecast with no signal.
Questions
How big is East River deer unit ERD-43A (Lake County) (deer hunting unit)?
About 1,490 km² (575 mi²), as HuntGrid maps South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks's boundary.
How much public or protected land is in East River deer unit ERD-43A (Lake County)?
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 42 km² of public or protected land, 3% of the unit; the largest share is managed by LAKE COUNTY WATERFOWL PRODUCTION AREA OF SD. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there.
Where are the season dates for East River deer unit ERD-43A (Lake County)?
This page lists 7 seasons a person has checked against South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks's regulations; the official regulations have the final word.
Which units are next to East River deer unit ERD-43A (Lake County)?
In the same unit system: East River deer unit ERD-01A (Minnehaha County), East River deer unit ERD-06A (Brookings County), East River deer unit ERD-42A (Kingsbury County), East River deer unit ERD-46A (McCook County), East River deer unit ERD-51A (Miner County) and East River deer unit ERD-52A (Moody County).
More on huntgrid.net
Sources
Unit boundary: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (unit definitions); U.S. Census Bureau (county boundaries). Licence: Units defined in ARSD 41:06:21:02; county boundaries public domain (U.S. Census Bureau). Boundaries for the 2026 season.
HuntGrid isn't affiliated with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks. The official regulations and maps have the final word.