Quick Tips
- Tire chains and four-wheel drive may be required during inclement weather
- GOHUNT Maps are recommended to help navigate public and private lands
On The Ground
Terrain
Vegetation
Access
Camping and Lodging
Historical Temperatures
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This smaller unit is located in the west-central portion of the Black Hills and just outside of the small town of Hill City. Good numbers of elk are found in this heavily timbered unit and anyone lucky enough to hold a tag will be in for a great hunt. Being part of the Black Hills this unit has a great distribution of public lands and hunters will find little trouble in locating huntable ground.
Elk populations in this unit are great and good, hard hunting can lead hunters to a successfully punched tag.
Most of this unit is heavily timbered and features many rolling ridges and drainages. Roads exist in good numbers throughout the unit and physically accessing most of the area won't be an issue but some Hunters may encounter difficulty when traveling cross country, particularly across brushy draws. The biggest collection of private lands is found in the far southeastern and southwestern corners but most of this unit is public land and is widely accessible.
Many of the higher elevation areas are heavily timbered with stands of primarily Ponderosa pines but hunters will also encounter white spruce, aspen, bur ok, and paper birch. Some juniper can be found in lower elevations. Natural grasses will be present throughout the unit but will in the greatest abundance in more open areas and at lower elevations.
Highway 385 makes up much of the eastern border of the unit and provides the best initial access into the area. From this highway, many county and forest service roads lead northand split in all directions and cover most of the unit. This unit has a very heavy distribution of public lands and hunters will find little trouble in locating huntable areas.
Very few amenities or lodging options can be found within the unit and hunters will need to meet these needs prior to leaving for the hunt. For lodging, some hunters may elect to stay outside of the unit in nearby towns or they may opt for primitive camping within the unit boundaries.
Roughly 56 square miles
87% public land
Elevations range from 4,900 - 6,500 feet