Hunt Zone 3A2, North Dakota

Rolling Missouri Coteau plateau at 1,500–1,850 ft elevation. The Souris (Mouse) River bisects the unit, creating 35+ miles of riparian corridor with dense stands of aspen, birch, and shrubby drainages that provide the primary deer cover. The broader landscape is glaciated prairie pothole country with numerous wetland potholes and sloughs—excellent waterfowl habitat that also benefits deer. Uplands are a mix of native mixed-grass prairie, CRP grasslands, and cropland (grain and cattle operations). Coulees and creek drainages radiating off the Souris River funnel deer movement between ag fields and river cover.

Public land is scarce at approximately 4.5% of the unit. Key public areas: (1) Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge — ~32,000 acres spanning nearly 35 miles of the Souris River corridor through the center of the unit; foot-access only; requires a standard ND deer license plus a special refuge permit for Unit M10 issued by NDGF; tree stands must be removed daily; no camping; 5am–10pm hours. (2) Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge — northernmost tip touches the northwest corner of 3A2; small portion accessible; deer hunting allowed with state license plus refuge permit; check refuge HQ annually for updated rules. (3) State Trust Lands — scattered CRP fields and parcels open to walk-in access unless leased with livestock present. (4) PLOTS (Private Land Open To Sportsmen) — voluntary yellow-posted private parcels; walk-in only; consult annual NDGF PLOTS Guide for current enrolled acres. (5) WMAs — small scattered tracts in McHenry and Bottineau counties including Thompson Lake WMA (872 ac, Bottineau Co.), Heffner Lake WMA (272 ac, McHenry Co.), Round Lake Township WMA (159 ac, McHenry Co.), Upham WMA (80 ac, McHenry Co.), and several Bottineau Co. units (Black Lake 174 ac, Nickelson 163 ac, V.V. Bull 199 ac, Schuster 80 ac). The overwhelming majority of productive hunting is on private land; landowner permission is essential.

Mixed-grass prairie (western wheatgrass, green needlegrass, blue grama) dominant on uplands. Riparian corridors support aspen groves, paper birch, shrub willow, and chokecherry. Wetland potholes ringed by cattail and bulrush. Significant CRP grassland enrollment. Cropland is primarily small grains (spring wheat, durum), sunflower, canola, and corn/soybeans in the eastern portions.

Deer bed in the dense aspen and birch drainages along the Souris River and its tributary coulees, then move to surrounding cropfields (wheat, sunflower, corn, soybeans) at dawn and dusk. Morning sits near river-bottom bedding exits and evening setups on crop-field edges are the primary strategy. During the November rifle season, breeding activity (rut) pushes bucks across open CRP and cropland between drainages. Pothole edges and CRP edges serve as secondary staging areas.

Zone 3A2 is part of the Souris management unit alongside Zone 3A4. Deer populations statewide were described as stable-to-declining below management objectives in 2025, with reduced total license allocations (42,300 statewide, down ~7,800 from 2024). CWD surveillance has been specifically targeted at units 3A1, 3A2, 3A3, 3B1, 3B2, 4A, 4B, and 4C for 2025, so hunters should participate in voluntary sampling. The weighted preference points lottery system means first-year applicants drawing antlered tags face meaningful competition (859 of 1,221 zero-point applicants successful in the 2025 draw); antlerless tags are easier to obtain (all zero-point applicants successful in 2025). Nearest services: Minot (ND) and Kenmare (ND).