Unit M6 is North Dakota’s largest elk unit, covering the entire southeast quarter of the state. Much of this unit includes the state’s primary moose range. The moose range in this unit extends from near Bowden, where Highway 52 meets Road 200 and runs east almost to Grand Forks. It then follows the Sheyenne River south between Jamestown and Fargo all the way to the southeast corner of the state. This area is your best opportunity to find moose, although they have been known to migrate throughout this entire unit.

Network with online forums, locals and G&F headquarters to find landowners with nuisance moose. They’ll often allow access on private property.

This unit is so large that you’ll find everything from badlands, to rolling hills, to flat prairies. The majority is rolling hills and a lot of agricultural property. The most likely spots to find moose herds are along the river valleys. You can really find any type of terrain you’d like in Unit M6.

Depending on where you’re at this makes a difference on vegetation. Western wheatgrass pastures and blue grama grass prairies are found throughout the unit. Aspen, oak and ash are the state’s most common trees, but you’ll also find a lot of cottonwood, juniper and elm.

State highways will get you close to anywhere in this unit. I-94 runs east and west through the center of the unit. Beyond that you’ll have to navigate secondary roads and potentially some unmarked roads in order to get to the spot you’re wanting to hunt. You won’t struggle to find public access in Unit M6. Between PLOTS, State Trust Lands, WMAs, and national grasslands, there are hundreds of thousands of acres available to hunt. Another option is networking with locals and North Dakota’s G&F biologists or game wardens as there’s a possibility landowners will allow access for an elk hunt if they have a nuisance cow or bull. There have been cases of moose being destructive to crops and fences in M6, and landowners with a problem moose will often take in a hunter. One of our favorite places to hunt is the Sheyenne National Grassland in the state’s southeast corner. You’ll find 50,000+ acres of public access in the center of the primary moose range. Aside from that, moose can be found anywhere along the Sheyenne River.

Watch for campgrounds and RV parks near state parks. WMAs will usually allow primitive camping as well. National Grasslands typically have a variety of campgrounds too. If you’re hunting Sheyenne National Grassland, check out Jorgen’s Hollow Campground.