Quick Tips
- Check out the strip of creek valleys and rough terrain straight north of the town of Golden Valley for a nice whitetail buck
- North Dakota's primary mule deer range follows the Little Missouri River and extends east along Lake Sakakawea 30+ miles to Red Butte Bay, and south through the badlands
- Quite a bit of State Trust Land, but they may be closed to hunting if livestock are present
- Be prepared with water, food and fuel = once you're north of Highway 200, there aren't many places to stop for essentials
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 120"-150" | 170"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 110"-150" | 160"+ |
On The Ground
If you’re lucky enough to draw in unit 3B2, there’s some exceptional opportunities for both mule and whitetail deer. North Dakota’s primary mule deer range follows the Little Missouri River into this unit and extends east along Lake Sakakawea 30+ miles to Red Butte Bay, and south through the badlands.
Great deer populations along with a good trophy potential can be found in this unit. Securing land to hunt will be the biggest hurlde for most, but some good opportunities can still be found on public lands.
Terrain
Unit 3B2 provides great habitat for both whitetail and mule deer. The badlands and valleys located in the western portion of the unit south of Lake Sakakawea forms the farthest eastern edge of North Dakota’s primary mule deer range. A mixture of cropland, creek bottoms and rougher terrain as you head east through the unit provides food, water, and cover for a healthy whitetail herd. Although this is a smaller unit, especially when you take into account the amount of property that the Fort Berthold Reservation sits on, there are some great opportunities for an excellent harvest. Some of the State Trust Lands near Lake Sakakawea are in extremely rough badlands where hiking is the only access option, and depending on conditions, there’s a chance that you may not be able to access some of these areas at all.
Roughly 1,619 square miles
5.3% public land
Elevations range from 1,700 – 2,600 ft
Vegetation
Primary trees found in unit 3B2 are cottonwood, although you’ll find a variety of deciduous trees here. Creek bottoms and badlands valleys are covered in thick forests of cottonwood, aspen, and birch trees. You’ll also find some evergreen ridges and dense patches of willows scattered throughout the unit.
Access
Access can be limited depending on where you plan to hunt. Much of the rough badlands throughout this unit, but primarily northeast of Killdeer, are not accessible. However, the oil industry is active in this area and the gravel roads that do exist are high quality to accommodate the increased truck traffic. There are some trails that will get you deep into the badlands as well, but you’ll probably still have to do some hiking to make it a successful hunt. If you elect for a tribal license, the only bridge across the Little Missouri River in this unit is on Highway 22 at the western edge of 3B2. The State Trust Lands and PLOTS properties in the eastern portion of the unit are generally accessible, but the terrain is fairly rough throughout this unit, making some public areas tricky to access depending on conditions. At nearly 155,000 acres, the Fort Berthold Reservation takes up a large portion of Unit 3B2. Archery and rifle deer hunting on the reservation is allowed by North Dakota residents and non-residents. Since hunting on the reservation is managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs 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 Fort Berthold Fish and Wildlife Division. The north shore of Lake Sakakawea forms the northern boundary of Unit 3B2. Virtually all of the northwest portion of the unit is Fort Berthold Reservation land. Much of this unit is badlands and creek bottoms – prime whitetail and mule deer habitat. The southwest portion of the unit features a number of huntable State Trust Lands. A few of these State Trust areas are a short drive from the town of Killdeer in the southwest corner of the unit. If you are able to access the Trust Lands, or have access to private property in this area, you’ll have a great opportunity for a good buck in the badlands and cottonwood-covered valleys.
Camping and Lodging
Killdeer and Beulah are your best options for motel accommodations. There are a number of campgrounds and RV parks along Highway 200. There’s also campgrounds along the Missouri River on Hille WMA north of Beulah if you’re hunting in that area. The town of Twin Buttes does have a gas station on Fort Berthold Reservation south of Lake Sakakawea.
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