North Dakota’s Unit 4E provides a good combination of private, public-access, and PLOTS properties. The unit is part of North Dakota’s badlands region known for its rugged terrain and colorful soils. Although the terrain in this unit as a whole is milder than the units north, there are plenty of buttes and draws, especially along the Little Missouri River, that hold both species of deer. Little Missouri National Grassland can be found throughout this unit.

The Little Missouri River National Grassland along Deep Creek has been excellent for muley bucks, while the grasslands near Indian Creek have produced trophies of both species in recent years.

They call Unit 4D part of North Dakota’s Badlands Region for good reason – it’s bad if you’re trying to drive a pickup everywhere. Although many areas of this unit are easily accessible, there are plenty of spots that will require a hike. And if you’re willing to put in a long hike, you’ll have ample opportunity to get away from all other hunters. Rougher badlands stretch from the Little Missouri River valley across the unit to the southeast portion. Here you’ll still find badland buttes, but you’ll start to see more wheatgrass fields and livestock pastures down here. The rest of this unit going south and east from the Little Missouri River is extremely rough terrain. Steep buttes and rough, densely forested muley draws and creek bottoms closer to the river and brush-covered, forested whitetail draws as you move farther away from the river. The bottoms of draws throughout this unit support thick deciduous trees and even some junipers. Between the buttes and valleys lies relatively flat, barren fields of native grasses and wheatgrass. As you head towards the southeast portion of this unit you’ll find some lush wheatgrass fields and agricultural property mixed with the eroding badlands. Heading south along the western edge, however, the terrain remains rough badlands with deep draws and creek bottoms. Indian Creek branches off Little Missouri in the southwest portion of Unit 4E.

Desolate flats of mixed grass prairies, wheatgrass, and some blue grama grass fill in the areas between badland buttes, canyons and creek beds. The Little Missouri River along the north and west edges of Unit 4E create a forested valley of deciduous trees, primarily aspen and oak, and some small stands of ponderosa pine. Drainages, valleys, and creek bottoms that branch off the river are forested with aspen and oak as well as some ash, elm, birch and juniper. Buckbrush thickets are common in Unit 4E as well. The southeast portion of the unit is agricultural property with wheatgrass fields and livestock pastures. With the exception of the Little Missouri River valley and the outlying draws, valleys and creek bottoms, there aren’t as many groves of trees as there are in the badlands units to the north.

Highway 85 forms the eastern boundary of Unit 4E while Highway 12 forms the southern boundary. Both these primary roads will get you to good access points to travel throughout the badlands. There are a lot of trail roads and decent unmarked roads that wind through the badlands. Wherever you decide to hunt in this unit, you’ll generally be able to get within a few miles of the spot. There’s even a number of roads that snake through the badlands all the way to the Little Missouri River. You won’t find as many well-maintained dirt roads as you’ll see in units north of here. The oil industry isn’t as active in this unit, so the good dirt roads are not as common. However, there are plenty of roads that are generally in good condition. You’ll find whitetail throughout the unit. Mule deer are prevalent throughout 4D as well. The state’s primary mule deer range follows the Little Missouri River from the northeast corner of the unit through the southwest edge. The river creates the western border of the unit. If you are lucky enough to draw a mule deer tag in this unit, be sure and check out Deep Creek. It branches off the Little Missouri and heads south through the center of the unit. This is a hotspot for muleys, and you’ll find enough public hunting spots along the creek. This truly is prime mule deer country with food, water, steep buttes and deep canyons. You’ll find some great State Trust Lands and PLOTS areas with fantastic draws that hold both muley and whitetail throughout this unit as well. There’s generally a lot of consecutive PLOTS properties attached to the Little Missouri National Grassland. Together, these create a huge public hunting area in the southwest portion.

Bowman provides a number of motel accommodations as well as the most stores and restaurants. Although Bowman isn’t centrally located, it is a great spot to stay as both major highways in the area come together here. You can take Highway 85 north, or Highway 12 west towards the Little Missouri River valley. If you’re wanting to rough it, the Burning Coal Vein Campground is a unique place to camp. It’s less than two miles from the Little Missouri in the northeast portion of the unit. The campground is located off East River Road, which connects with a bunch of county and trail roads in the northern part of the unit. There’s another campground and motel lodging along Highway 85 in Amidon. RV parks are located in Amidon and Bowman.