Yet the Alaska gold rush brought its share of boom towns, in a place harsher than ND. Is something happening there to dampen that down? Capitalism eventually wins out if not hobbled sufficiently badly.
Different animals. A couple of guys could set up a gold mining operation in Nome with a modest investment in mining equipment, a couple of pack mules and a tent to provide shelter long enough to build a hut or sod shanty.
North Dakota's oil fields require that you get a job with a company which owns the drilling rights or one servicing them. Try to park a camper or set up a tent in an unapproved location and see how long it takes local law enforcement to come knocking at your door.
There are a ton of You Tube videos out there telling people how to land a job in North Dakota. Bottom line is that if you have needed skills (CDL license, welder, etc.) it won't take long. But if it is just general, you'd better plan on spending a month without income looking to find the right spot.
For 99.9% of the unemployed, it is just so much easier to stay put and wait for the next check from Uncle Sam.