Hunt Zone 3B2, North Dakota

The unit spans 1,619 square miles at elevations of 1,700–2,600 ft. The northern half sits along the north shore of Lake Sakakawea and transitions from rolling mixed-grass prairie into creek valleys and coulee breaks. South of the lake, terrain becomes increasingly rugged: badlands buttes, dissected river breaks, and the eastern fringe of the Little Missouri watershed. Golden Valley marks the rough center; north of it is more agricultural with shelterbelt pockets; south and west is classic Missouri River breaks country — steep-walled coulees, grassy benches, and sparse ponderosa pines. The south shore boundary runs west from US Hwy 83 to ND Hwy 200 near Pick City.

Public land is scarce (~5.3% of unit). Key public access categories: (1) NDGF Wildlife Management Areas — Mercer Co.: Hille WMA (3,083 ac), Missouri Breaks WMA (477 ac), Norman & Lucille Schaefer WMA (313 ac), North Beulah Mine WMA (1,861 ac), Harmony Lake WMA (635 ac), Beaver Creek WMA (285 ac), Golden Valley WMA (160 ac); McLean Co. (eastern unit fringe): Audubon WMA (10,776 ac), Wolf Creek WMA (5,127 ac), Riverdale WMA (3,076 ac), Douglas Creek WMA (2,813 ac), Deepwater Creek WMA (2,463 ac), de Trobriand WMA (2,644 ac), Custer Mine WMA (692 ac), Coal Lake WMA (795 ac); Dunn Co.: Killdeer Mountains WMA (6,995 ac); Mountrail Co.: Van Hook WMA (4,859 ac). (2) PLOTS (Private Land Open To Sportsmen) — walk-in access only on enrolled private parcels; enrollment changes annually, verified via ND Hunting Atlas or yellow triangular signs on-site. Concentrated in the eastern portion of the unit. (3) State Trust Lands — substantial acreage but may be closed when livestock are present; verify before entry. (4) Fort Berthold Reservation (~155,000 ac, NW unit) — requires a separate Three Affiliated Tribes permit; managed independently of NDGF. No National Wildlife Refuges or National Grasslands fall within the core unit boundary.

Mixed-grass prairie dominates uplands. Riparian corridors support cottonwood, willow, and box elder. Creek bottoms contain dense brush and cattail sloughs used heavily by whitetails. The badlands sections feature sparse ponderosa pine, sagebrush, and native bunchgrasses preferred by mule deer. Agricultural land (dryland wheat, sunflower, corn) is present in the eastern fringes and provides major food sources for whitetails. Cover is sparse in the uplands, making terrain features (coulees, creek drainages) disproportionately valuable.

Mule deer are most active in the badlands and Missouri River breaks south and west of Lake Sakakawea, using the Little Missouri watershed corridor as their eastern range limit; they concentrate in coulee heads and benches during the rut (early November). White-tailed deer predominate in the creek bottoms, shelterbelts, and grain fields north and east of Golden Valley; they move between agricultural feeding areas and riparian cover corridors. Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) impacted whitetail numbers in units south and west of the Missouri River in 2024, and one CWD-positive mule deer was confirmed in 3B2 in 2024 — CWD surveillance is ongoing.

CWD confirmed in one mule deer in 3B2 (2024); mandatory check stations or sampling may apply — verify current regulations. Fort Berthold Reservation land requires a separate tribal license from the Three Affiliated Tribes Fish & Wildlife Division (701-627-4760). North of Hwy 200 services are sparse — fuel, water, and supplies should be carried. State Trust Lands may be grazed and closed; confirm status before hunting. Mule deer made up a greater proportion of the harvest in Missouri River units per 2025 season summary. Statewide hunter success for the 2025 gun season was 57% overall (mule deer antlered 82%, whitetail antlered 53%).