Hunt Zone 3B3, North Dakota

River-corridor unit along the west bank of the Missouri River, ranging from 1,650 to 2,100 feet elevation. Characterized by deep timbered ravines and coulees branching off the Missouri, steep-sided breaks, and overflows that provide exceptional cover. Moving away from the river transitions to rolling mixed-grass prairie hills with significant elevation changes over short distances. The northeast corner of the unit contains a good amount of cropland intermixed with livestock pasture and heavily timbered draws.

Public land access is limited at approximately 5.9% of the unit's 842 square miles. Access options include: scattered State Trust Land (may be temporarily closed when livestock are present), PLOTS (Private Land Open To Sportsmen) acreage, and a couple of Wildlife Management Areas. The nearest significant WMAs are Painted Woods WMA (~1,011 acres, 8 miles NW of Wilton near US-83) and Riverdale WMA (~3,076 acres, 2 miles SW of Riverdale) in McLean County. Portions of Lake Sakakawea State Park within Unit 3B3 are open to deer gun hunting with a special park permit in addition to the unit license (park office: 701-487-3315). Approximately 90 acres within Section 18, T147N, R83W (Wolf Creek Campground area, McLean County) are closed to hunting. ND Highway 1804 and River Road run along each side of the Missouri River providing primary access; deep draws off the river are largely roadless and foot-access only.

Heavily timbered river draws and coulees with cottonwood, ash, and dense understory shrubs dominate the Missouri River corridor. Transitional mixed-grass prairie on the uplands with scattered brush. The northeast portion has dryland cropland (small grains, sunflowers, corn) that provides important deer food sources. Livestock pasture with timbered draws throughout the unit. Riparian willow and cottonwood along creek bottoms branching off the main river channel.

Whitetail deer concentrate in the dense timbered draws and river-bottom cover, especially during the rut. Mule deer use the steeper ridge terrain and coulees away from the river. Deer move between agricultural fields on the northeastern edge for feed and return to the deep river-break cover for bedding. Hunting pressure funnels movement toward the most inaccessible draw interiors. River islands and sandbars are included in the unit boundary and can hold deer during high-pressure periods.

Centerfire rifles are PROHIBITED in Unit 3B3 during Deer Gun season — only handguns, shotguns with rifled slugs, legal muzzleloading firearms, and archery equipment are permitted. This is a critical regulation unique to this unit due to proximity to Bismarck. All Deer Gun licenses are lottery draw (no over-the-counter availability). Unit 3B3 consistently delivers one of North Dakota's highest deer gun success rates statewide. 2025 lottery quotas: 300 Any Antlered, 200 Any Antlerless, 100 Antlered Whitetail. Draw competitiveness is moderate — Any Antlered had 773 applicants for 300 total licenses; most hunters with 2+ bonus points drew in 2025. Youth season runs mid-September. State park hunting within unit requires a separate park permit.