North Dakota Turkey Hunting

Unit 45 covers Stark County in western North Dakota and features a mix of rolling hills, expansive grasslands, and rugged badlands, with the terrain primarily dominated by semi-arid prairie. The county is intersected by the Heart River, which creates riparian corridors with trees and shrubs, offering key habitat for wild turkeys, particularly for nesting and roosting. While much of the county is open prairie, the river valleys and sheltered draws provide the necessary cover and food sources for turkeys, such as seeds, berries, and insects. The varied topography, with its combination of open grasslands, wooded areas, and creek beds, supports a growing turkey population in the region, particularly along the river corridors. Wild turkeys in Stark County favor areas with a mix of open foraging space and wooded cover, which are provided by the diverse terrain. Although the turkey population is still relatively small, the combination of grasslands and riparian zones makes Stark County an ideal environment for their expansion.

Unit 50 covers six counties in northeastern North Dakota feature a mix of flat to gently rolling terrain, with expansive prairies, wetlands, and river valleys that provide varied habitats for wild turkeys. The Red River and its tributaries, including the Pembina and Goose rivers, create fertile riparian corridors with trees and shrubs that offer critical nesting, roosting, and foraging sites for turkeys. These counties' abundant wetlands, grasslands, and wooded draws provide diverse food sources, such as seeds, berries, and insects, which support turkey populations. While much of the land is open prairie and farmland, areas near river valleys and wooded patches offer necessary cover for turkeys, who prefer a combination of open foraging space and protected roosting sites. The overall turkey population in these counties is still relatively small but growing, particularly in areas where the natural features provide suitable habitat. The combination of river valleys, wetlands, and forested areas in these counties makes them an ideal environment for wild turkeys to establish and expand their population.

Unit 51 is in the northwest portion of the state and runs to the border with Canada. Burke County, most of Renville County (excluding the portion east of U.S. Highway 83), the western part of Bottineau County, and the western part of Ward County feature a diverse landscape of rolling hills, grasslands, and wooded river valleys, providing varied habitats for wild turkeys. These areas are dominated by semi-arid prairie, with the Missouri River and its tributaries creating fertile riparian corridors with trees and shrubs that serve as key areas for nesting, roosting, and foraging. The terrain also includes hilly uplands, creeks, and wooded draws that offer shelter and cover for turkeys, as well as open grasslands for food sources like seeds and insects. The combination of prairie and riparian zones in these counties provides a balance of open foraging space and protected roosting sites, which are essential for wild turkeys. While turkey populations in these areas are still relatively small, the varied topography, particularly along the river corridors and forested draws, supports a growing turkey presence. Overall, the diverse terrain in these regions provides the necessary resources—shelter, food, and cover—for wild turkey populations to thrive and expand.