Bring your shotgun for pheasants, sharptail grouse, and possibly a greater prairie chicken
Mount Rushmore, which is southwest of Rapid City, is approximately 45 miles from the northwest corner of this unit
Sturgis is approximately 45 miles to the west down Interstate 90
Species
General Size
Trophy Potential
Mule Deer
120"-150"
170"+
Whitetail Deer
110"-140"
150"+
On The Ground
Terrain
Vegetation
Access
Camping and Lodging
Historical Temperatures
High
Low
Moon Phases
November 2024
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Mon
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Wed
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This unit is located in the southwestern portion of the state below Interstate 90 and to the southeast of Rapid City, which is the largest city in the area. There are small townships down US Hwy 79 on the western boundary. The unit is primarily private land with the exception of two large sections of public land. One is a section of the Buffalo Grassland of over 16,000 acres and the other is a section of the Nebraska National Forest spanning a little over 27,000 acres. The Cheyenne River makes up the bulk of the eastern border, and three other major drainages, the Rapid, Battle, and Spring Creek stretch from east to west across the unit. This unit offers a good opportunity to hunt either mule deer or whitetails.
There are more and more whitetails encroaching into this unit over the years, particularly in and around the agriculture and river bottoms.
The Cheyenne River makes up the majority of the eastern boundary, losing elevation as it moves from south to north. The far northeast corner is the lowest elevation in the unit starting at 2,300 feet in elevation. The elevation climbs as you move south and west towards Buffalo Gap reaching upwards of 3,600 feet. The bulk of the unit is made up of grassland as well as national forest, riddled with valleys, ridges, and small creek beds throughout. There are three major drainages stretching across the unit from east to west; the Battle Creek is the most southern, followed by Spring Creek, and the Rapid Creek at the northern edge of the unit.
A mix of short and tall prairie grass and countless species of wildflowers can be found in most areas of the unit that haven’t been turned for agricultural purposes. Very sparse amounts of timber including a mix of Cottonwood, American Elm, Green Ash, and Bur Oak are located along the riparian zone of the Cheyenne River as well as the Battle, Spring, and Rapid Creeks and other small creek beds scattered across the unit.
Interstate 90 makes up the northern border, with US Hwy 79 heading south out of Rapid City. As you move south, state Hwy 44 and Hwy 40 both head east of this western boundary cutting across the unit towards the Cheyenne River making up the bulk of the eastern border. There are multiple county roads, and two tracks coming off of each of these different routes allowing access to all different parts of the unit. Farmingdale Folsom Road, which heads south of Hwy 44, will allow access to a large section of grassland in the northeast corner of the unit.
There are a number of options for hotel accommodations in Rapid City located in the northwest corner of the unit, as well as grocery and sporting goods. If you are looking for a place to camp, there are primitive options in both the Buffalo Grasslands and the Nebraska National Forest, but you will need to check current regulations to ensure that camping is open. If you are looking for more of an established campground in the south-central portion of the unit along the French Creek, there is the French Creek campground.