Located in the north central part of the state, bordered on the west by the Missouri River/Lake Oahe, this unit is primarily private land. There are large pockets of walk-in land mostly located to the south within the unit surrounding Akaska and to the east around both Swan Lake and Horseshoe Lake. Other smaller walk-in areas are spread along the border of the unit to the north. Access to each section may or may not be available. Check with local agencies for access descriptions. Public land exists along the border of the lakes, serving fishing and waterfowl hunting. Limited big game hunting opportunities in these areas. Walworth County makes up the entirety of the unit and is the westernmost of the SD counties to observe Central Time.

This unit contains a large portion of walk in and public land access.

This unit contains a mix of river frontage, CRP, and agricultural land. Overall, this unit is very flat. The western portion of the state, along the Missouri River/Lake Oahe starts at 1,650 ft above sea level with the highest elevations reaching 2,200 ft. The elevation rises to the north and east. Walworth County makes up the entirety of the unit, and consists of semi-arid rolling hills, carved by drainages and gullies. Most of the area is devoted to agriculture, with moderate precipitation. Cottonwoods, elms, and willows are common near the rivers and lakes. It truly makes for some fantastic whitetail habitat spread across the entire unit.

The unit’s ecology is typical of a grassland. A mix of short and tall prairie grass for miles in all directions as well as countless species of wildflowers can be found in most areas of the unit that aren’t being used for agricultural purposes. Very sparse timber which is primarily a mix of Cottonwood, American Elm, and Willow can be found along the Missouri River and Lake Oahe in the west as well as Swan and Spring Lakes to the east.

There are two major access routes in this unit, the first being US highway 12 which runs the entire west to east direction of the unit. US highway 83 which runs north and south and divides the unit nearly in half. State road 47 gives access to the south-east portion of the unit and connects to US highway 12 in the center. State road 271 comes from the north, joining highway 12 in the center. State road 20 runs along the southern border of this unit. There are a number of country roads that cut through the unit but you will need to first access one of the other highways in order to access them.

The closest city to access the largest portion of walk in land in this unit is Akaska. It has a population of 62, but is surprisingly well supplied for hunters in the area. It hosts the D&S Campground Lodge and Storage, for limited lodging, as well as local eateries and the Akaska Bait Shop. There are no gas stations in Akaska but just north on US Hwy 83 there is a Cenex gas provider.

Mobridge City, located in Walworth County has a population of 3,465 and is the main hub in this unit and several surrounding areas. It’s in the most northwestern part of the unit and lies next to the Missouri River/Lake Oahe. Developed along US Hwy 12 it leads out to access any of the major roads in the unit making it convenient for those traveling. Mobridge hosts a number of hotels such as the Mobridge Kountry Inn, Wrangler Inn, River Rest Lodge, and Mo-Rest motel. It is also home to the Country Cabins & RV Park and Lakeside Cabins if camping is intended. Across the Missouri River from Mobridge is the Grand River Casino & Resort on the Standing Rock Reservation. The city is a full service location, with fast food, gas stations, and grocery stores and is accessible by the Mobridge Municipal Airport.

Another notable town in this unit is Selby with a population of 642, also in Walworth County. Selby Motel is another option for lodging, and this town also hosts the Hilltop Motel and Campgrounds that may accommodate visitors needing lodging further east than Mobridge. Local fast food is available as well as Shorty’s One Stop, a local convenience store that also serves as a gas station. Just south of the unit border in the east is Hoven, population 406, along State Rd 20. This small town supplies locals and surrounding communities with a Cenex gas station, and local comfort food at The Dakota Haus. Hoven is home to the Blue Valley Motel and has its own municipal airport. This may be an option for those looking to hunt in the southeastern portion of the unit.