With some of North Dakota’s most diverse terrain, Unit 3F1 features the state’s highest point and a great habitat for whitetail and mule deer. The northwestern corner of the unit has an impressive ridge with a drastic 400 foot elevation increase. East of the ridge are the Chalky Buttes badlands and Duff Gulch. A little farther east, and about 7 miles south of the town Amidon is White Butte, the state’s highest point at 3,506 feet. Although you’ll find other impressive badland buttes and ridges, this corner of 3F1 is definitely the roughest part of the unit.

Due to high deer populations in recent years, many landowners will allow rifle hunters to help thin the population on their property.

Some badlands and sandstone buttes exist along the western and northern edges of this unit, but the majority is rolling hills and agricultural property. Unit 3F1 features the state’s highest point in the northwest corner, but as you move east, it’s primarily rolling hills and forested creeks. 3F1 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 numerous creeks running throughout this unit, providing a variety of spots for deer to water. As you move east across the unit, you’ll find isolated badlands formations and sandstone buttes, but the unit transitions into more rolling hills and short-grass prairies. There are very few natural wetlands, but small creeks and streams can be found throughout the unit.

Wheatgrass fields, grama grass prairies and sagebrush cover much of Unit 3F1’s landscape. The semiarid soils also support alfalfa wheat and barley production. Creek bottoms throughout this unit are forested with aspen, oak and some ash, elm, birch and juniper. You’ll also find some brushy whitetail draws.

Highways 85 and 12 intersect at Bowman, 85 forms the unit’s western boundary while 12 runs east across the entire unit. Highways 67 and 22 run north and south through the unit. All these roads will get you to virtually any spot in 3F1. South Dakota’s state line creates the southern border. With exception to the areas near a few of the ridges and buttes, paved or maintained dirt roads form a consistent grid across this entire unit. There are plenty of hunting opportunities for a nice deer on a walk-in PLOTS area and on State Trust Land. However, few spots offer more than a section of consecutive public access. Your best chances to harvest a trophy buck in this unit are definitely on private property. Plat maps and a current PLOTS map are the most valuable tools you can have when you’re deciding where to hunt. Private property is primarily used for livestock grazing, but you’ll also see some dryland grain farming.

Along the western edge of this unit is the town of Bowman where you’ll find a number of motel accommodations and a nice variety of restaurants and a sporting goods store. Although Bowman isn’t centrally located, it is a great spot to stay as two major highways in the area come together here. You can take Highway 85 north or south, and Highway 12 east through the entire unit. Bowman, Amidon, and New England each have campgrounds and RV parks, and Bowman-Haley Lake also has a campground. Towards the southeast corner of this unit, Hettinger has a variety of accommodations as well including motels, restaurants, and a hardware store.