Quick Tips
- Scout prior to the season and get landowner permission as soon as possible
- Check out the Sky Dancer Casino and Resort for a change of pace
- Be sure you understand where the reservation boundaries are located
- Plat map could save your hunt if you're willing to ask permission on private property
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Elk | 300"-320" | 350"+ |
On The Ground
The Turtle Mountains extend north to the Canada border and create an excellent habitat for elk. Outside of the Turtle Mountains, this unit features rolling, grassy hills, rocky soils and many small lakes and wetlands, however the Turtle Mountains make this one of North Dakota’s more unique hunting areas.
Due to the majority of the unit being private, friendly landowners might be the golden ticket with this tag. The vegetation and habitat is here, so don't be afraid to knock on a few doors for the right opportunity.
Terrain
Unit one features pockets of dense deciduous trees, a whole lot of lakes, and a lot of private farmland. There are some steep inclines and creek bottoms in the mountains. The entire unit has fairly soft, spongy soil.
Roughly 2,381 square miles
8.5% public land
Elevations range from 1,500 – 2,500 ft
Vegetation
A variety of dense deciduous trees, primarily aspen and birch, cover this unit’s landscape. The abundant water supply has also made this a prime area for farming.
Access
There are plenty of public roads getting you close to the PLOTS and WMA areas, and you’ll be able to drive within 3 miles of any area on public hunting land. So packing an elk out of one of the WMA or PLOTS areas won’t be too bad. Highway 43 runs across the middle of this entire unit, providing access to most areas. The Turtle Mountain Chippewa Indian Reservation is located at the west side of the mountains. Hunting exclusively on tribal land requires a tribal license – contact the Department of Natural Resources in Belcourt for license information. The hotspot for elk is definitely in the mountains, but you’ll be able to find elk in the surrounding areas as well. Much of this unit is private property, but there are plenty of smaller areas for public-hunting access. The northwest corner of this unit near the Canadian border features two PLOTS properties and three WMAs. The northeast corner of this features the largest public-access area in the Wakopa WMA. There are a variety of other PLOTS and WMA areas in this vicinity providing the largest area to hunt in the unit outside of private property.
Camping and Lodging
There are a number of campgrounds and RV parks. Birchwood Village has a couple RV parks, and many of the lakes and state parks have established campgrounds. Primitive camping on most WMAs is allowed, but check restrictions in the specific WMA prior to setting up camp. There are a variety of motels available as well, including the Sky Dancer Casino and Resort. Rolla has lodging available as well.
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