There are refuges around here, but they are open to the public; bowhunting only.

Then there are a few like you described, which are mainly closed year round until there's a drawing and a start and end times for the hunt. Fort Ripley in N. central MN comes to mind.

N. E. way... I'd get topo maps and arial photos if that's possible. I would then look to get to the farthest and thickest parts of the area if there's only one entrance place. I would also realize there's a great element of luck too. The deer won't be on their natural movement patterns either due to the massive all-at-once human intrusion. So I would try and find a place where hunters will not want to go, yet offer an area of safety for the deer that are being pushed around.

iSnipe