If you’re lucky enough to draw in unit 4A, there’s some exceptional opportunities for both mule and whitetail deer. The majority of this unit is rough badlands. There is a good amount of public access areas, providing hunters with excellent options to hunt throughout the unit. Overall, if you’ve drawn a mule deer tag, they can be found throughout this unit, but the majority of herds tend to stick to the Little Missouri River valley and the Little Missouri National Grassland. If you have a whitetail tag, the Killdeer Mountains WMA has been a hotspot in recent years.

If you’re able to find a good spot near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and wait patiently for something to cross off of the park’s property and onto huntable property, you could be rewarded with a B&C trophy.

Unit 4A is extremely rough terrain throughout the majority of the unit. Deep, narrow and steep canyons and creek bottoms are densely forested in the bottom. This provides great habitat for both whitetail and mule deer. The Little Missouri River runs through the center of this unit and irrigates a healthy deciduous forest along its banks. The river also feeds a number of coulees. Drastic inclines and sharp changes in elevation are normal throughout this unit. It will be a tough hike, but a worthwhile hike.

The Little Missouri River flows right through the center of this unit, creating a heavily forested valley of deciduous trees, primarily aspen and oak. There’s also some dense stands of ponderosa pine along the river valley. Most creek bottoms and draws are forested with aspen and oak as well as some ash, elm, birch and juniper. Buckbrush thickets are common throughout this unit as well. Primary grasses in this unit include blue grama grass and wheatgrass. The Killdeer forest is the state’s largest deciduous forest excluding floodplains bordering major rivers. It consists of a dense aspen and oak forest with some ash, elm, birch, and juniper. Buckbrush thickets are common in this unit as well and provide a perfect place for whitetails to bed down during the day.

Winding roads weave through the badlands wherever they can. Be prepared to travel on some unmarked roads that may or may not be maintained very well. The oil industry is active in parts of Unit 4A. Wherever there’s an active oilfield, the gravel roads will be well maintained to accommodate the increased truck traffic. There are some trail roads that will get you deep into the badlands, but you’ll probably still have to do some hiking to get to a great hunting spot. Be aware of where your vehicle is in relation to where you’re hunting, it can be a long, steep hike back to the pickup, especially if you’re dragging a deer. The Little Missouri River flows right through the center of this unit, creating a heavily forested valley of deciduous trees. The unit’s largest public access area, the Little Missouri National Grassland, includes around 70,000+ acres of badlands to hunt on both sides of the river. There’s also a lot of BLM land along the Little Missouri River valley and State Trust Lands scattered throughout the unit. Additionally, the Killdeer Mountains WMA features nearly 7,000 acres of prime mule deer habitat. The Fort Berthold Reservation is on the northeastern border of Unit 4A. 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.

Killdeer in the southeast and Watford City in the northwest corners of this unit are your best options for motel accommodations. Both towns also have a campground and RV park. You’ll find additional campgrounds along Highway 85 near the Little Missouri River. Watford City has a couple sporting goods stores as well in case you need ammunition or other gear.