Bring your shotgun for pheasants, sharptail grouse, and possibly a greater prairie chicken
Incredible waterfowl hunting can be found in many areas along the Missouri River
GOHUNT Maps are recommended to help navigate
Species
General Size
Trophy Potential
Mule Deer
120"-140"
160"+
Whitetail Deer
110"-150"
160"+
On The Ground
Terrain
Vegetation
Access
Camping and Lodging
Historical Temperatures
High
Low
Moon Phases
December 2024
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This entire unit, located in the north central part of the state on the banks of the Missouri River, is owned by the Cheyenne River Reservation, which is the fourth largest reservation in the lower 48. This unit has virtually no public access and what does exist is walk-in ground primarily found in the most northern portion of the unit. Hunting on the walk-in ground will require a license through the normal state draw system, meanwhile, the bulk of the hunting is managed by the reservation which conducts its own draw for opportunities to hunt big game. There are few amenities found in this unit, and once you leave the major access routes, there is little to no service found throughout.
There are good populations of whitetail found throughout the unit with pockets of mule deer. The overall vastness of this unit allows for some above average bucks of both species to be taken each year.
Elevation will decrease as you move from west to east and from south to north. There is not a little under a thousand feet of elevation change across the entire unit, with the southeast corner in the river bottom of the Missouri River being the lowest point. The bulk of the unit is very flat with little roll to the overall landscape.
A mix of short and tall prairie grass and countless species of wildflowers can be found in most areas of the unit that haven’t been turned for agricultural purposes. In the areas closest to the river, you can expect to find much more timber which is primarily a mix of Cottonwood, American Elm, Green Ash, and Bur Oak. There will also be other small creek beds scattered across the unit.
Highway 212 is the main drag crossing the unit from west to east. Closer to the western edge of the unit, you will also find Highway 63 moving north and south across the bulk of the unit. Other than access on the Missouri River, which makes up the eastern and southern border, these are the main access routes to the unit. There are countless county roads coming off of each of these drags, which will get you into every corner of the unit. The Whitehorse Road towards the northern side of the unit is the main route that will get you closest to the bulk of the walk-in access areas of the unit.
There are a few locally owned hotels and gas stations spread throughout the unit and along the major routes and borders. Runnings is a sporting goods store located just outside of the unit in the northeast corner in the town of Mobridge. There are two established campgrounds in the unit, the Little Moreau State Recreation Area on the north central part of the unit, and the Camp Leslie Marrowbone Sioux in the southeast corner of the unit, along the banks of the Missouri River. North Eagle Butte, located in the southwest corner, is the largest town found in the unit and has all of the amenities you would expect to find in a town of approximately 2,000 people including groceries, gas station, a steakhouse, and even a small hospital if you run into an emergency.