Unit 2K2 is primarily known as a waterfowl hotspot with a large number of state Waterfowl Production Areas providing exceptional habitat for ducks and geese. However, an abundance of public access areas and a great combination of creeks, wetlands, and croplands create great opportunities for the DIY whitetail hunter. The same applies to private land if you’re inclined to find a private spot to hunt – this is a great unit that typically holds a lot of whitetail. The primary downfall here is cover. There are very few areas in this unit that have thick groves of native trees.

This unit has good whitetail habitat with lots of diversity in terrain. Cropland, pastureland, wetlands, rivers, and ridges offer plenty of diversity.

This unit is in North Dakota’s Northern Coteau region and features many coulees and pothole ponds in the northern and southern portions that make it a popular nesting area for waterfowl. The center of this unit features cropland and includes the James and Sheyenne Rivers providing irrigation. There are a number of excellent ridges with drastic shifts in elevation that can make access difficult. However, if you’re willing to put in a hike, your odds of success are definitely improved. The Sheyenne River and James River flow through the center of this unit irrigating croplands. As you move into the northern portion of this unit, the landscape transitions from primarily cropland to mostly livestock pasture and wetlands that make up more exceptional waterfowl habitat. The North Fork Sheyenne River creates a variety of coulees, including Buffalo Coulee southwest of Cranberry Lake.

Much of this unit is either agricultural property, both livestock pasture and cropland, or wetlands with native grasses. The steep ridges and some coulees and draws feature primarily cottonwood, with some scattered aspen and birch trees. Native tree patches in Unit 2K2 are scarce for the most part.

Great access via highway and county roads will get you close to most areas. There are some State Trust Lands and BLM properties in the northwest portion of this unit that don’t have marked road access. A few steep ridges and river bottoms, in addition to marshy wetlands, make some areas more difficult to access as well. For the most part, however, access is good and hunters should be able to drive right to most public access areas. South of Anamoose in the south-central portion of this unit lies Sheyenne Lake on Lonetree WMA. Lonetree is the largest public access area in Unit 2K2. South of Lonetree WMA, there is an excellent ridge running southeast to the small 600-acre Wells County WMA. Although primarily on private property, the sharp draws and dense deciduous trees make this prime whitetail habitat.

As you head up the ridge towards the southern border of Unit 2K2, wetlands become more prevalent, and there is little public access available until you get further east in the southern portion of the unit. Take Highway 19 west out of Esmond for a lot of great State Trust properties, as well as a variety of PLOTS properties.

Primitive camping on most WMAs is allowed, but check restrictions in the specific WMA. Established campgrounds and RV parks are available in many towns throughout this unit. Harvey and the small town of Esmond are somewhat centrally located depending on where you’d like to hunt. Esmond in the northern portion of 2K2, and Harvey more southern. Two campgrounds near Esmond with RV hookups get you close to the public access areas mentioned above near Highway 19 and Highway 3. Although Esmond only has a population of around 100, it also has a bar and café. Harvey has more accommodations with a number of nearby campgrounds and motels, plus they have some sporting goods in their hardware store. Carrington and New Rockford also have sporting goods stores if you need any last-minute essentials. Both of these towns have accommodations as well if you’re hunting the southeastern portion of Unit 2K2.