Unit E5 is North Dakota’s largest elk unit, covering the entire state except for the other six elk units. Although Unit E5 isn’t as desirable of a tag as the badlands units near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the huge number of places to hunt makes it a great unit to draw a tag in. There are plenty of spots that include North Dakota’s primary elk range in Unit E5. And there are other spots that although they aren’t part of the primary range, elk are commonly seen throughout the state.

Network with online forums, locals and G&F headquarters to find landowners with nuisance elk. They’ll often allow access on private property.

This unit is so large, featuring the majority of the state, you’ll find everything from badlands, to rolling hills, to flat prairies. You can really find any type of terrain you’d like in Unit E5. Phenomenal buttes and badlands canyons are prevalent around the Little Missouri River. You’ll also find a lot of creeks and lush farmland. This is badlands country, but the exceptional soil down here makes it prime farming ground. The Little Missouri River valley isn’t as heavily forested as it is north of this area, but there are still plenty of trees and vegetation to accommodate elk in the surrounding badlands and draws. West of Beulah you’ll find hundreds of small draws and only a few marked roads amongst some great waterways, draws, sandstone formations and isolated badlands. Spring Creek and Knife River both run through this area. Each waterway features numerous draws and drainages that branch off, creating some good elk habitat. Further south near Richardton, you’ll come to a large, heavily forested ridge and Young Man’s Butte, at 2,749 feet. This ridge runs right along the edge of Richardton.

State highways and the interstate will get you close to anywhere in this unit. Beyond that you’ll have to navigate secondary roads and potentially some unmarked roads in order to get to the spot you’re wanting to hunt. GOHUNT Maps is highly recommended. The oil industry is active in portions of the state, so the roads that support heavy oil field traffic are in excellent condition. The state’s primary elk range follows the Little Missouri River into the state’s southwest corner. There’s a good amount of State Trust Land and BLM property down here. Straight east of Richardton is nearly 2,000 acres of BLM property that may be worth checking out as well.

West of the Turtle Mountain State Forest in Unit E5 is all private property. We’d recommend networking with locals and the Game and Fish department to see about access on private property.

Depending on where you’re at this makes a difference on vegetation. Western wheatgrass pastures and blue grama grass prairies are found throughout the state. Aspen, oak, and ash are the state’s most common trees, but you’ll also find a lot of cottonwood, juniper and elm.

Watch for campgrounds and RV parks the various state parks. WMAs will usually allow primitive camping as well. National Grasslands have a variety of campgrounds too.