Quick Tips
- The size of this unit makes an accurate plat map and current PLOTS map essential
- Plan ahead and get landowner permission if you're hunting private property
- PLOTS areas are walk-in only and State Trust Lands may have access restricted
- Check out Cannonball River and Cedar Creek flowing to the east through the unit
- Watch for pronghorn on wheat and alfalfa fields = stop and glass every chance you get
- Cedar River National Grassland features 4,000 acres of public access
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Antelope | 65"-70" | 75"+ |
On The Ground
North Dakota’s secondary pronghorn range covers all of this unit. Running between Highway 8 and Lake Oahe, Unit 6-A is a larger unit at nearly 90 miles wide. Archery and rifle pronghorn hunting on the Standing Rock Reservation is allowed by North Dakota residents and non-residents. Since hunting on the reservation is managed by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Game and Fish Department rather than North Dakota’s Game and Fish agency, a tribal license is required and some regulations may vary. You can find additional information online or by contacting the reservation’s Fish and Wildlife Division.
This is an excellent pronghorn unit with plenty of food and water throughout. There are more than enough smaller State Trust Lands and PLOTS parcels to support hunters looking for public access.
Terrain
The western side of 6-A features some ridges and sandstone buttes, but is primarily rolling hills used for farming and livestock grazing. Moving to the east you’ll find some isolated badlands formations and sandstone buttes, but the unit is primarily rolling hills and short-grass prairies. Small creeks and streams are common throughout the unit, and you’ll find an occasional pothole pond, but there are very few natural wetlands. The far eastern portion of the unit around Lake Oahe is mostly Standing Rock Reservation property with some State Trust Lands. The unit’s rolling hills and prairies are used for livestock grazing and farming. Unit 6-A is in North Dakota’s Slope Region consisting of mixed-grass prairies and few trees outside of the creek bottoms. There are some small ponds and lakes, and even a few creeks, but wetlands are rare in this region.
Roughly 2,909 square miles
21% public land
Elevations range from 1,700 – 2,800 ft
Vegetation
Wheatgrass fields, grama grass prairies and sagebrush cover much of Unit 6-A’s landscape. The semiarid soils support alfalfa, wheat and barley production. Creek bottoms throughout this unit are forested with cottonwood, and some aspen, oak, ash, elm and birch. You’ll also find some brushy draws and small stands of scattered cedars.
Access
State Trust Lands and walk-in PLOTS properties exist across the unit. If your goal is to hunt public areas, there are good opportunities. Watch for connected State Trust and PLOTS properties to provide a larger hunting area. The Cedar River National Grassland in the south-central portion of the unit along the South Dakota state line provides nearly 4,000 acres of public access property. Highways form the north, west and east borders of Unit 6-A, while Lake Oahe creates the eastern border. Highways 6, 31, and 49 cut through the unit running north and south, making it easily accessible overall. The majority of the unit’s roads follow a grid pattern aside from some of the larger ridges and draws that are not passable. Hunters have few problems driving to the spot they’re hunting.
Camping and Lodging
Motels, campgrounds, and RV parks are located in many of the towns along the major highways in this unit. This allows hunters to pick lodging closest to the area they want to hunt.
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