Unit 3A3 is a large unit that features a lot of variety in terrain, and a lot of private property. There are 400+ acre State Trust Lands and PLOTS that hold whitetail, but your best odds would be knocking on doors and gaining access to private property. Between the easy water access, cover provided by trees and premier croplands, the southwest portion of this unit, and western portion from Kenmare to Minot may prove to be your best options, especially if you’re in search of a big buck.

Ample water supply ensures that there will be plenty of food and cover to keep deer in the area. Early mornings will be a great time to catch the deer moving. This unit features primarily private farmland across the entire unit.

This unit is in North Dakota’s Northern Coteau region and features many coulees and pothole ponds that make it a popular nesting area for waterfowl. This unit is primarily used for agricultural purposes, primarily crop production. The west edge and southern edge feature drainages, creeks and coulees. You’ll find pothole ponds, rolling hills and sloughs in the northern portion, and cropland and creeks along the southern edge. There’s cropland, drainage ravines and coulees along Des Lacs Lake and the rest of the eastern edge. There are many State Waterfowl Production Areas in the northern portion of 3A3 as it’s a major waterfowl flyway. The small lakes and pothole ponds provide an exceptional area for waterfowl hunting. As you get closer to Lake Sakakawea, the pothole ponds transition into prime cropland and creek bottoms. Early morning and midafternoon are great times to try catching deer heading from the croplands to the cover of these creek bottoms for the day, or heading out to the crop fields in the evening.

There is easy access via highway or gravel road to the majority of this unit. Some northern and central areas can be more difficult to access due to the soft soil and sloughs. For the most part, there’s a road every mile, forming a consistent grid pattern. There are typically a handful of PLOTS areas that produce whitetail in the northern portion, but they can be difficult to hunt. Your best bet for a nice whitetail up here would be private property access to the coulees and drainages along the eastern edge of the unit. It’s the same scenario along the eastern border until you get to Minot, public access is limited. Although more State Trust Lands and PLOTS areas are available to hunt as you head south, the eastern edge is where we’d recommend trying to gain access to. The far southwest edge of this unit is the Fort Berthold Reservation. Hunting exclusively on tribal land requires a tribal license – contact the Department of Natural Resources for regulations and license availability.

Much of this unit is either cropland or wetlands with native grasses. Primary trees found in unit 3A3 are cottonwood, although you’ll find a variety of deciduous trees here. Creek bottoms and drainages along the east border and southern portion feature patches of cottonwood, aspen and birch trees.

Minot, Berthold, Stanley, and Kenmare all have established campgrounds and RV parks, providing camping options that cover the majority of this unit. Motels are also available in these four towns.