Part of North Dakota’s Northern Coteau region, Unit 2K1 is part of one of North America’s prime waterfowl nesting areas. The US Fish and Wildlife Agency manages many waterfowl production areas in this unit. The numerous small lakes and pothole ponds makes this good whitetail habitat with diverse terrain.

This unit has good whitetail habitat with lots of diversity in terrain. Cropland, pastureland, wetlands, rivers, and ridges offer plenty of diversity.

This unit is in North Dakota’s Northern Coteau region and features many coulees and pothole ponds making it a popular nesting area for waterfowl. The northern portion of this unit features drainages and coulees from the Souris River. The Souris River itself is in a different deer unit, but it has an impact on Unit 2K1. Overall, this unit has soft spongy soil due to the abundance of water. There’s actually a substantial difference in elevation. As you go across the unit you’ll find some steep ridges and the Prophets Mountains.

The majority of this unit is easily accessible due to highways or gravel roads. Some areas can be more difficult to access due to soft soil, sloughs, and rough mountainous terrain. For the most part, however, access is good and you’re able to drive right to the public access areas. If you’re hunting public land, keep an eye out for CRP fields on PLOTS areas and Trust Lands with decent cover. Most of these public access areas have nearby roads so you’ll be able to glass the hillsides and fields before having to walk too far. If you draw in this unit, scouting prior to hunting is highly recommended due to the large number of public hunting areas in this unit. The coulees of the Souris River south of Minot are all located on private property. If you wish to hunt these areas, you will need landowner permission. As you make your way south, you’ll find enough huntable State Trust Lands, PLOTS properties, and WMAs, that finding a deer on public land shouldn’t be an issue.

Much of this unit is either agricultural property or wetlands with native grasses. Outside of the creek bottoms, you won’t find very many trees. Creek bottoms and drainages feature primarily cottonwood trees, with some scattered aspen and birch trees. Some of the ridges have patches of deciduous trees as well. This unit offers a varied deer habitat, as it sits between the Prophets Mountains in the south-central portion, and the coulees and drainages created by the Souris River in the northern part of this unit.

Primitive camping on most WMAs is allowed, but check restrictions in the specific WMA. Established campgrounds and RV parks are available in many towns throughout this unit. Butte’s city campground is nice and centrally located in the unit. Lake Audubon in the southwest corner of 2K1 has a nice campground as well. Motels are available in many towns such as Harvey, McClusky, Minot, and Max which also have sporting goods stores.