Quick Tips
- North Dakota's primary mule deer range is fewer than 10 miles from the unit's northwest corner
- Check out the ridges on BLM property in the southwestern corner of 3D2
- State Trust Land may be closed to hunting if livestock are present
- Public hunting access is available, however private property access opens up a lot of opportunity
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 120"-140" | 150"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 110"-150" | 160"+ |
On The Ground
If you drew a tag in Unit 3D2, you’ll have a number of State Trust Lands and PLOTS properties to choose from. The northern portion of this unit, especially the northwest corner, is extremely rough country with hundreds of small draws and few marked roads. A great hunting unit overall, but the public access areas are scattered and smaller for the most part.
Good deer numbers can be found here along with good access options.
Terrain
Unit 3D2’s terrain is desirable for both whitetail and mule deer. The ridges and buttes in the northwest portion create a perfect habitat for mule deer, and with the state’s primary range mere miles away from the northwest corner, this is a great place to start if you’ve drawn a mule deer tag. A mixture of cropland, livestock pasture, and heavily timbered creek bottoms and draws as you head east through the unit provides food, water, and cover for a healthy whitetail herd. You’ll also find some sandstone formations and isolated badlands. Spring Creek and Knife River both run through the northern part of this unit. Each waterway features numerous draws and drainages that branch off creating an exceptional deer habitat. The southwest corner of this features a large, heavily forested ridge and the unit’s highest point, Young Man’s Butte, at 2,749 feet. This ridge runs right along the edge of Richardton. Straight east of Richardton is nearly 2,000 acres of BLM property that is great deer habitat. Check this piece of property out if hunting access is allowed. As you go south and east, the terrain transitions to more of a typical Slope Region landscape with rolling hills, short grass prairies, farmland and forested creeks.
Roughly 1,613 square miles
2.3% public land
Elevations range from 1,750 – 2,750 ft
Vegetation
Primary trees found in unit 3D2 are cottonwood, although you’ll find a variety of deciduous trees here. Creek bottoms and draws are covered in thick forests of cottonwood, aspen and birch trees. You’ll also find some evergreen ridges and dense patches of buckbrush in some draws scattered throughout the unit. This unit’s semiarid soil is excellent for dryland crops like corn, barley and wheat. You’ll also come across a lot of wheatgrass pastures and grama grass prairies.
Access
Access can be limited depending on where you plan to hunt. Much of the rough ridges and sandstone buttes in the northwest corner are not accessible with a vehicle, unless it’s an ATV or UTV. This area has few marked roads. Heading south and east, access improves a great deal with a few scattered ridges, but secondary roads will get you close to most State Trust Lands and PLOTS areas. Highway 49 runs north and south through the center of this unit, providing access to a variety of secondary roads.
Camping and Lodging
Motels in Richardton, Hebron, Beulah, New Salem, and Hazen provide plenty of options depending on where you’re hunting. There are a number of campgrounds and RV parks along the unit’s borders. The town of Taylor, just west of Richardton, has a small gun shop. Beulah is the best centrally located town to stay with Highway 49 providing access to the unit’s secondary roads.
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