With fall quickly approaching, the latest Private Land Open to Sportsmen (PLOTS) maps are officially updated and ready for hunters planning their next trip to the Devils Lake region.

Over 93% of land in North Dakota is privately owned, making the PLOTS program an essential bridge between generous landowners and outdoor enthusiasts. The newly released maps open thousands of acres of private habitat for public access. Whether you are scouting duck blinds near the basin or chasing upland birds across prairie grass, here is what you need to know about accessing PLOTS properties around Devils Lake.

 

What is the PLOTS Program?

PLOTS is a partnership program managed by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. It provides public hunting access to prime wildlife habitat across the state.

  • Walk-In Access Only: PLOTS properties are strictly designated for public walk-in access. Hunters must travel on foot with legal firearms or bows, plus necessary equipment, accessories, and provisions.

  • Hunting Purposes: Access is allowed exclusively for public walk-in hunting during legal open hunting seasons (or as otherwise signed).

  • Funding: Established in 1997 through House Bill 1395, the Private Land Habitat and Access Improvement Fund supports the program. It is funded entirely by hunting license sales and interest accrued from the Department’s general fund balance—zero state tax dollars are used.

 

Key Rules for Hunting PLOTS Lands

To keep these lands open for future seasons, hunters must respect landowner boundaries and follow state regulations:

  • Written Permission Required for Motor Vehicles: Driving on PLOTS land is strictly prohibited. All access must be on foot.

  • No Unattended Gear: Decoys, tree stands, blinds, and personal provisions cannot be left unattended on a PLOTS tract without written permission from the property owner.

  • Other Activities: All non-hunting activities require written permission from the property owner.

 

Important Regulations & Additional Resources

Before heading out to your designated tract, keep these essential guidelines and tools in mind:

1. Nonresident Hunting Restrictions

In accordance with NDCC 20.1-08-04.9, nonresidents may not hunt any game during the first seven days of the pheasant season on North Dakota Game and Fish Department Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) or on Conservation PLOTS areas. Plan your trips accordingly if you are visiting from out of state!

2. How to Handle Map Discrepancies

If you find an area listed on the digital or printed PLOTS map as a public tract, but it is not physically marked with the signature yellow triangular PLOTS signs from the Department, err on the side of caution. Avoid entering the property until you have verified its status directly with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

3. Upland Game Identification Guide

Proper field identification is vital for staying within legal harvest limits. Be sure to check out the state's official Upland Game Age/Sex Identification Guide before harvesting pheasant, grouse, or partridge in the Ramsey County area.

 

How to Access the New Maps

You can view updated PLOTS boundaries for the Devils Lake area through several convenient digital and physical formats:

  1. Digital & Mobile Mapping: Download interactive maps directly to your smartphone via the ND Game and Fish Hunting Atlas or the Avenza Maps app for offline GPS tracking in the field.

  2. Physical Guides: Printed PLOTS guidebooks are available at local license vendors throughout Ramsey County and the Devils Lake region.

Always double-check your boundaries, hunt ethically, and help us keep North Dakota's outdoor tradition strong.