Hunting in North Dakota has an annual economic impact of $331 million and supports over 2,100 jobs throughout the state. Unfortunately, hunter numbers are declining across the country — with a lack of access widely acknowledged as a primary barrier to participation. Recognizing these challenges, North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGF) developed the Private Lands Open to Sportsmen (PLOTS) Program to increase public hunting access to private lands. PLOTS is a voluntary program that provides financial incentives to private landowners willing to allow public, walk-in access for hunting.
Pheasants Forever's Public Access to Habitat (PATH) program, already widely successful in South Dakota and Nebraska, will now help expand the existing PLOTS program in North Dakota. Down significantly from its peak in 2008, PLOTS enrollment has stabilized around 800,000 acres in recent years. This decline is directly correlated with the loss of high-quality grassland habitat in the state. The PATH program will complement PLOTS by providing an additional financial incentive to landowners willing to create new habitat on marginal cropland acres.
By working together to help bolster PLOTS in North Dakota, we can provide more wildlife habitat, more opportunities for hunters, and viable options for private landowners who are looking to improve soil health, water quality, business sustainability, and wildlife habitat.
North Dakota PATH builds on a successful pilot program in the state's Northwest corner, initiated by the "MonDak" chapter of Pheasants Forever. The program will now expand throughout North Dakota's primary pheasant range, which includes 38 counties. Collectively, North Dakota PATH aims to create 15,000 acres of new grassland habitat that will be open to public access for 10 years.
Establish 15,000+ new acres of grassland habitat (40-acre minimum) within North Dakota's primary pheasant range.
Enroll 15,000+ new acres of high-quality upland bird habitat into PLOTS that is open to public hunting for 10 years. North Dakota PATH will also help facilitate the enrollment of other associated habitat types (and additional acres) into PLOTS, including wetlands, riparian areas, and native prairie.
Increase hunter awareness and public support of PLOTS (and PATH).
Engage the conservation community to strengthen the connection between hunting, public land, and the rural economy.
North Dakota landowners interested in learning more about the PATH program are encouraged to contact their local NDGF private lands biologist or Pheasants Forever's North Dakota State Coordinator, Emily Spolyar, below.
To qualify for PATH, landowners are required to establish and maintain new grassland habitat (minimum of 40 acres) and allow public hunting access for 10 years through PLOTS. Properties must occur within the PATH Focal Area. This typically involves the planting of marginal cropland acres back to grass, which can be completed through NDGF or the Conservation Reserve Program. PATH offers a one-time incentive payment ($50/acre) that is issued upon completion of the grass seeding. Contact a NDGF biologist to discuss program options for your operation.
Yes, all acres enrolled in PLOTS receive per-acre payments that are based on the property location, habitat quality, and hunting opportunities provided.
To qualify for PATH, landowners must also agree to a 10-year PLOTS agreement that requires the wildlife habitat enrolled to be maintained and open to public hunting access.
PATH incentivizes the establishment of new grassland habitat that is open to public access so this can occur on lands enrolled in new or existing PLOTS contracts.
Yes, participating landowners must agree to a 10-year PLOTS agreement that allows public, walk-in hunting.
The PATH vision is to restore critical habitat in North Dakota while also increasing public hunting opportunities within key geographies throughout the state. Our initial fundraising goal of $350,000 will create the first 15,000 acres of new, high-quality upland bird habitat that is open to public hunting. PF & QF and NDGF intend to grow North Dakota PATH in future years, creating a sustainable mechanism to increase habitat and PLOTS enrollment. Your gift will be matched with financial support from North Dakota's Outdoor Heritage Fund, onX Hunt, and North Dakota Natural Resources Trust - and further leveraged with a variety of other funding sources to maximize your impact.
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