Running between Highway 8 and Lake Oahe, Unit 3F2 is a larger unit at nearly 90 miles wide. The western side of 3F2 features some ridges and sandstone buttes, but is primarily rolling hills used for farming and livestock grazing. Moving to the east you’ll find some isolated badlands formations and sandstone buttes, but the unit is primarily rolling hills and short-grass prairies. Small creeks and streams are common throughout the unit, and you’ll find an occasional pothole pond, but there are very few natural wetlands. State Trust Lands and walk-in PLOTS properties exist across 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 sandstone buttes and large ridges exist along the northern portion of this unit, but the majority is rolling hills and agricultural property. There are excellent creeks and rivers throughout this unit that hold large deer of both species. The semiarid soil covering most of the unit is good for native grasses and dryland crops. The unit’s rolling hills and prairies are used for livestock grazing and farming. 3F2 is in North Dakota’s Slope Region that features mixed-grass prairies and few trees outside of the creek bottoms. There are some small ponds and lakes, and even a few coulees, but wetlands are rare in this region.

Wheatgrass fields, grama grass prairies and sagebrush cover much of Unit 3F2’s landscape. The semiarid soils support alfalfa, wheat, and barley production. Creek bottoms throughout this unit are forested with cottonwood, and some aspen, oak, ash, elm and birch. You’ll also find some brushy whitetail draws and small stands of scattered cedars.

Highways from the north, west, and east borders of Unit 3F2, while Lake Oahe creates the eastern border. Highways 6, 31, and 49 cut through the unit running north and south, making the unit easily accessible overall. The majority of the unit’s roads follow a grid pattern aside from some of the larger ridges and draws that are not passable. You’ll have few problems driving to the spot you’re hunting. If your goal is to hunt public access, there are opportunities. Watch for connected State Trust and PLOTS properties to provide a larger hunting area. The Cedar River National Grassland in the south-central portion of the unit along the South Dakota state line provides nearly 4,000 acres of property. The Cannonball River and Cedar Creek flow east through most of this unit before joining at the Standing Rock Reservation and flowing into Lake Oahe. Cannonball River is in the northern portion of the unit, while Cedar Creek is in the southern portion. Both create lush, cottonwood valleys and flow through some public access areas. Check out both waterways for whitetail and mule deer. Archery and rifle deer hunting on the Standing Rock Reservation is allowed by North Dakota residents and non-residents. Since hunting on the reservation is managed by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Game and Fish Department 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 reservation’s Fish and Wildlife Division. Unit 3F2 is an excellent muley and whitetail unit with plenty of food, water and cover throughout. There aren’t any huge pieces of public access, however there are numerous smaller pieces. More than enough small State Trust Lands and PLOTS areas to support hunters looking for public access. Additionally, if you’re wanting to hunt private property, friendly landowners in Unit 3F2 will often allow hunters on their property due to the large numbers of deer in this unit.

Motels, campgrounds, and RV parks are located in many of the towns along the major highways in this unit. You can really take your pick and stay wherever is closest to property you plan to hunt. If you’d like a change of pace, take a break from hunting at the Prairie Knights Casino and Resort along Highway 24 near Lake Oahe.