Unit B1 is one of the larger sheep units in the state and is part of North Dakota’s badlands region known for its rugged terrain and colorful soils. This is definitely a rough hunting unit. There are plenty of buttes and draws, especially along the Little Missouri River, that hold bighorn sheep. Little Missouri National Grassland can be found throughout this unit. You'll find lots of public access, but getting a vehicle close enough to your hunting spot could be challenging in some places.

The Little Missouri River badlands hold the majority of the sheep within the unit. Some areas are more rugged and remote than others. Be sure to check out the harvest reports for a good starting point in search of a good mature ram.

They call Unit B1 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 I-94 and run all the way to the southern part of the unit. More mellow farmlands and pastures cover most of the western and eastern sides, while steep buttes and rough, densely forested draws and creek bottoms are closer to 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.

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 flows through the center of this unit, creating 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 throughout this unit 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 of the northern portion of the unit. The northwest portion of the unit is agricultural property with wheatgrass fields.

For as rough as the majority of this unit is, access is quite good overall. I-94 forms the northern border, and provides a variety of exits that will get you into Unit B1. Just off I-94 near where it crosses the Little Missouri River is the town of Medora. This area has the only bridges across the river in this portion of the unit. There are crossings in other areas, but there’s no guarantees you’ll be able to use them.

Active oil fields in the badlands ensure that the roads will be in excellent shape. At least the roads that support heavy oil field traffic are. The oil fields have allowed for some roads to exist through the badlands that wouldn’t be there otherwise. The Little Missouri River runs through the center of the unit, from north to south. You’ll find a lot of public access along both sides of the river in the Little Missouri National Grassland, but it’s extremely rough country. This truly is prime bighorn country with food, water, steep ridges and deep canyons. The northwest portion of this unit is primarily private agricultural property. As you go south along the western edge, the terrain transitions back to rough badlands. There’s generally a lot of attached PLOTS properties in the southwest portion. These PLOTS properties are attached to Little Missouri National Grassland property, creating some large areas of connected public access properties.

Highway 12 and highway 85 gives plenty of good access from the southern parts of the unit. Also allows you to access both the west and east sides of the Little Missouri River.

You'll find a number of campgrounds South of Medora along the Little Missouri River. Medora also has hotel accommodations available. Golva City Park allows camping in the western portion of this unit. Belfield is a good town to stay in if you’re hunting the eastern part of B1. Belfield has a sporting goods store as well. Belfield and Medora have RV parks available as well. If you are hunting the southern end of the unit, Bowman provides a number of motel accommodations as well as the most stores and restaurants. 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. The campground is located off East River Road, which connects with a bunch of county and trail roads. There’s another campground and motel lodging along Highway 85 in Amidon. RV parks are located in Amidon and Bowman.