Located in the furthest southeast part of the state, this unit’s east border is along the boundary line of the state of Iowa and the Big Sioux River. The south border follows along the state of Nebraska and the Missouri river. This unit consists of almost no public land, with the exceptions of Union Grove State Park, and Adam’s Homestead and Nature Preserve. If you plan on coming to this unit, prior arrangements with a private landowner are recommended. Union county makes up the entirety of the unit and is the most south-eastern county in the state. The terrain is a mix of rolling hills, devoted almost entirely to agriculture except around built-up areas.

With very limited public access there are few hunters headed to this Unit without a plan around hunting some private property.

This unit consists of rolling hills, devoted to agriculture except around built-up areas. The elevation slopes down to 1,100ft in the southeast, with the highest point near its NW corner at 1,509 ft. A mix of river frontage, CRP, and agricultural land make this unit very flat. It has a humid continental climate. A wide variety of agricultural grains make it appealing to wild birds, as well as grasses and natural vegetation cover, typical to a grassland environment. There is a natural transition from clay bluffs and prairie to sedimentary rock hills and bur oak forests as you approach the Iowa border and the Big Sioux River. To the northwest of the unit, rich glacial soil supports a lush growth of native woods near Union Grove State Park. It’s an exceptional habitat for deer, wild turkey, beaver, and wild birds such as pheasants.

This unit contains typical grasses and natural vegetation found in a grassland environment. In this particular area of South Dakota, you will mostly find a mix of wheatgrass, bluestem prairie, and needlegrass. To the east and south of the unit, towards the Missouri River and the Big Sioux River, the vegetation becomes more dense, with concentrations of bur oak forests.

Interstate 29 runs north to south for the entire unit, from Beresford in the north through Elk Point in the south. Just past the southeast corner of the unit is Sioux City, Iowa, which is a much larger metropolitan area and hosts all services, lodging, and necessities. East to west, the northern border of the unit runs along State highway 46, and central by State highway 48. The north and south portion of the unit is connected by State highway 11 nearly through the whole unit, splitting the unit in two. Interstate 29 is likely the easiest and most accessible travel route through the state as many of the local county roads and State highway routes are easily reached from a point on the interstate.

Beresford is the largest city in this unit, and located to the far northwestern corner. Beresford hosts local lodging, including a Super 8. It has a number of chains as well as local restaurants and multiple gas stations. This is an adequately supplied town for those intending to hunt the NW portion of the unit. Union Grove State Park is located near Beresford and hosts camping sites and public showers/restrooms. Check local regulations with regards to rules for public camping.

Elk Point is a city in the southwest of Union County and has a population of 1,963. This city is home to several chain lodging accommodations such as Country Inn & Suites, and Super 8. It also hosts the Elk Point City Park and Campground if camping is intended. Elk Point has a wide variety of fast food and local restaurants, several gas stations concentrated in the NW corner of the city, and local grocery store Jones Food Center as well as Dollar General. It lays right along Interstate 29, making it a location worth considering for those intending to hunt the west or southwest portions of the unit.

Sioux City, IA is just past the most southeastern edge of this unit. It is a major metropolitan area with a population of 82,684. It is a full service city with many chain and local lodging options, gas stations, and all shopping resources, including Walmart. It is accessible through the Sioux Gateway Airport. This location has multiple options for camping access, from private campgrounds to state parks. Sioux City North KOA is one option, right along Interstate 29 close to the unit. There is also state camping nearby. Check local regulations with regards to rules for public camping.