This unit has a unique profile, with the southern half being a large 35-mile by 32-mile square containing the Little Missouri National Grassland and Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and the northern portion being an 18-mile by 55-mile rectangle.

This unit offers nearly half a million acres of public hunting property with the primary pronghorn range covering the entire unit.

The Little Missouri River divides this unit into southern and northern portions. In the southern portion, there are many creeks, including East Hay Draw Creek, that branch off the Little Missouri and wind through the badlands to the west. These creeks carve out flat, lush creek bottoms that are full of deciduous trees. You’ll find some great State Trust Lands and PLOTS areas to hunt along these creeks. Bennie Peer Creek branches off the Yellowstone River in Montana, near the town of Fairview, and runs through the southern part of the unit. Once you cross the Missouri River into the northern portion, the terrain transitions into rolling hills, isolated badlands, and agricultural property. You’ll find a lot of small ponds and sloughs in these areas.

In the really rough areas of the southern portion, roads wind through the bottoms of draws. Some are maintained roads, while some are unmarked trail roads. There are enough roads through the tough terrain that you’ll be able to get to an access point within hiking distance of good hunting ground. Study maps to familiarize yourself with the unit and pick a few spots to scout prior to the season if possible. The oil industry is active in parts of Unit 1-D, so the gravel roads will be well maintained to accommodate the increased truck traffic. Access is excellent in the northern portion with lots of roads and only a few draws and ridges causing access issues. The northern part of this unit is primarily private property with scattered 650-acre State Trust Lands.

The Little Missouri River flows through the center of the southern portion of this unit, creating a heavily forested valley of deciduous trees, primarily aspen and oak, as well as some small, dense stands of ponderosa pine. Most creek bottoms and draws are forested with aspen and oak as well as some ash, elm, birch, and juniper. Buckbrush thickets and sagebrush are most common in the southern portion of this unit but can be found throughout. The northern portion features a variety of cropland and wheatgrass fields. The primary prairie grass in this unit is blue grama grass.

Watford City, Williston, and Fairview, MT all have motel accommodations available. There are a few campgrounds along the Little Missouri River and near Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Grenora, in the northern part of the unit, also has RV accommodations. Watford City, Williston, and Sidney, MT each have sporting goods stores in case you need ammunition or other gear. Just outside of Williston is the Lewis and Clark Shooting Range in case you need to take some practice shots before going afield.