Private Lands Open To Sportsmen (PLOTS)

Frequently Qsked Questions for Private Landowners

Q- What type of land is eligible for the PLOTS program?
A - Under the PLOTS program umbrella, there are many different programs for different types of land use. This menu of programs gives the landowner the ability to choose which program fits best into their operation.

Q- How long is a PLOTS agreement?
A - The length of the PLOTS agreement depends upon which program the landowner is enrolled. CRP Access agreements are for the term of the USDA CRP contract. Habitat rental agreements and working lands agreements are 2-3 years. There are also long-term agreements available.

Q- When do I get paid?
A - Payments for different programs vary. For the Working Lands program, payments are made at the end of the calendar year after one hunting season of use. For the Habitat Plots program, payments are made in March. Payments for the CRP Access program are made one time, upfront for the entire length of the agreement and are made shortly after the agreement is signed by both parties.

Q- Can I hay or graze my CRP that is in PLOTS?
A - This depends on what PLOTS program your CRP is in. When CRP land is enrolled in the CRP Access program, producers are given two options at the time they sign the PLOTS agreement. One option allows for limited haying and grazing, while the other option does not allow any haying or grazing. Weed control or other management required by the USDA CRP contract, is allowed.

CRP enrolled in the Working Lands Program is allowed to be hayed or grazed, however, no more than 50% of the tract can be hayed or grazed in any given year. The landowner will receive higher payments if they do not hay or graze the CRP. If the landowner changes management from what was agreed to in the original agreement, notification needs to be made to the Department and payments may be reduced or even eliminated if habitat loss is significant.

Q- Can I cancel my PLOTS agreement?
A - Each PLOTS program has different terms. Many short term agreements are paid annually and can be cancelled at the end of any given years. Many long term agreements run with the land and cannot be terminated regardless of a change of ownership. Contact the PLI Biologist in your area or the Bismarck state office for more information regarding specific terms and obligations for each PLOTS program.

Q- Am I liable for hunters getting hurt while hunting my land enrolled in the PLOTS agreement?
A - North Dakota has a state law that protects landowners who lease their land to the state for recreational purposes. You are not liable for anyone getting injured on property enrolled in PLOTS. Refer to North Dakota Century Code 53-08-04 or contact the Department for more information regarding limited liability.

Q- Who is responsible for weed control on PLOTS acreage?
A - The landowner (or renter through agreement) is responsible for weed control on the PLOTS tract.

Q- What if I still have standing crops on the PLOTS acres when hunting season opens?
A - The Department can place “No Hunting in Unharvested Crops” signs on the PLOTS tract. When these signs are present, hunters are not allowed to hunt cropland until after the crops have been harvested.

Q- Do hunters still have to ask permission to hunt my land?
A - No. Hunters do not have to ask permission to hunt your land. Yellow, triangular signs will be erected on the property and locations of the enrolled acres will be published in an annual PLOTS Guide to help direct hunters to the area. The PLOTS Guide is available free-of-charge from license vendors and Game and Fish offices. PLOTS are open to hunting from September 1st through April 1st.

Q- Can people ride horse, trap, or recreate on my PLOTS land?
A - Hunting is the major intent of the PLOTS programs. Trapping or other forms of recreating is prohibited without direct permission from the landowner.

Q- Is driving a vehicle allowed on PLOTS?
A - No, PLOTS land is walking access only. Driving is allowed only with permission of the landowner. In certain cases, there may also be driving access for waterfowl hunters on stubble fields for placement of decoys. These special areas are identified with green “Attention Waterfowl Hunters” signs and the details have been worked out with the landowner as part of the agreement ahead of time.

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