Quick Tips
- Sporting goods stores are located in Belfield and Dickinson for any ammo or supplies
- Public access in this unit is somewhat limited, talk with landowners prior opening day
- Early mornings and evenings around wheat and alfalfa fields are antelope hotspots
- Be on the lookout for creeks and ponds = set up nearby and wait for the pronghorn to get thirsty
- Stop and glass wheatgrass fields and croplands often
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Antelope | 65"-75" | 80"+ |
On The Ground
Sandstone buttes, creeks, ponds, sloughs, ridges and livestock pastures make up the majority of Unit 8-A. Although it’s part of the state’s secondary pronghorn range, the west side of the unit is literally a few miles from the primary range. This combined with the rough, somewhat barren landscape makes 8-A a definite hotspot for pronghorn, especially along the western edge of the unit.
Unit 8-A offers a great chance at success. The western portion of the unit is part of the primary range for pronghorn. There are more than enough smaller State Trust Lands and PLOTS parcels to support hunters looking for public access.
Terrain
A large ridge runs across the center of this unit. Sandstone buttes exist throughout this unit and there are a bunch of creeks and rivers. Much of the unit is rolling hills and agricultural property. Unit 8-A is considered part of North Dakota’s Slope Region that features mixed-grass prairies and very few trees outside of the creek bottoms. There are a large number of creeks running throughout this unit, providing a variety of spots for antelope to water. There are a lot of creeks running through this unit. The creeks and draws are generally filled with lush vegetation and cottonwood cover. Keep an eye out for public access along these areas. Unit 8-A is also known for sandstone formations, ponds, creeks, rolling hills, and short grass prairies. Isolated badlands buttes can be found in the unit as well.
Roughly 1,316 square miles
2.2% public land
Elevations range from 2,000 – 2,800 ft
Vegetation
Deciduous trees fill the draws and creek bottoms while wheatgrass fields, grama grass prairies and sagebrush cover much of the unit’s landscape. The semiarid soils support alfalfa, wheat and barley production. Trees are primarily cottonwood and aspen, and some ash, elm, birch, oak and juniper. Dense thickets of brush can be found in some of the draws and areas near creeks.
Access
I-94 and Highway 200 form the south and north borders. Off of these two roads are numerous roads. Highway 22 runs north and south in the center of the unit between Dickinson and Killdeer, providing access to most secondary roads. Between these roads and the highways that form the unit’s east and west borders, you can get to most spots in 8-A. Some areas may require travel on unmarked roads, especially around the primary ridges that don’t have great access. The oil industry is active in portions of this unit as well, providing excellent roads to accommodate the increased truck traffic. Public access is scattered throughout the unit and consists primarily of State Trust Land and PLOTS properties. There are very few substantial pieces of huntable property with most State Trust Lands being a typical 640-acre square section.
Camping and Lodging
With I-94 forming the unit’s southern border, there’s no shortage of motels, RV parks and campgrounds in and around the various towns. Killdeer has accommodations along the northern border and an RV park and campground. Belfield and Dickinson have sporting goods stores for any last minute supplies. Dickinson is one of North Dakota’s larger cities and really has anything you might need.
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