North Dakota Game and Fish offers free wildlife food plot seed
Mar. 5—BISMARCK — The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is offering free seed for the 2024 growing season to landowners interested in planting wildlife food plots for pheasants.
Rather than a traditional corn or sunflower food plot, the department said its seed mix increases plant diversity, including flowering plants from spring through fall, which will attract insects, the major diet component of pheasant chicks. Additionally, the mix will provide needed cover during spring and summer, as well as a winter food source. Other wildlife species will also benefit from the mix, according to the department's news release.
Most Game and Fish food plots are part of the department's Private Land Open To Sportsmen (PLOTS) program, but this
food plot campaign
does not require a PLOTS contract. The department is asking participating landowners to allow reasonable public access, which could simply mean providing access to hunters from time to time, putting up "Ask Before You Enter" signs around the area or not posting the surrounding land. Additionally, landowners participating in the promotion cannot charge a fee for hunting.
Game and Fish will provide enough seed for a maximum 5-acre planting at no cost.
Landowners interested in receiving the food plot seed must
sign up online
by April 5. Seed will be available in April at Game and Fish offices in Bismarck, Jamestown, Devils Lake, Harvey, Dickinson, Williston and Riverdale.
Game and Fish private land biologists can provide technical assistance on food plot location and site preparation.
Landowners interested in additional financial incentives may be considered for the PLOTS program, as well. More information is available by
contacting a private land biologist
at any Game and Fish office in the state or sending an email to ndgf@nd.gov.
