ND Outdoors: PLOTS update — what Bismarck hunters should know now
Just outside city limits, those familiar yellow triangular PLOTS signs pop up along gravel roads where the prairie opens. If you’ve been eyeing fall weekends, here’s what’s changed — and how to make the most of North Dakota’s Private Lands Open To Sportsmen program around Bismarck.
What’s new with North Dakota’s PLOTS this season
KFYR-TV’s ND Outdoors has been flagging updates to the Private Lands Open To Sportsmen program as hunters gear up for fall; check their site for the latest segment and video recap, and keep an eye on weeknight newscasts for field notes and reminders (via KFYR-TV). The most reliable details on access come from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, which says PLOTS lands and maps are updated ahead of fall seasons and can change from year to year as properties enter or leave the program, so you’ll want to verify parcels before you go (according to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department).
In practical terms, that means new fields may be added near Burleigh and Morton counties while others rotate out, and boundaries can shift as contracts renew. NDGF encourages hunters to use the current online PLOTS map and the printed PLOTS Guide rather than relying on last year’s bookmarks, because signage and access rules are tied to the current season’s enrollment (per NDGF).
The basics: how PLOTS works and where to look
PLOTS opens enrolled private land to the public for hunting during legal seasons; access is generally walk-in only, and off-road vehicle use is not allowed unless a sign on-site says otherwise (per NDGF’s PLOTS overview). The yellow signs mark property boundaries and list any added restrictions — follow those signs over what a phone map suggests when the two don’t match, as on-the-ground posting is definitive (according to NDGF).
To find land close to home, filter by county in the online PLOTS map and look at Burleigh, Morton, Oliver, Kidder, and Emmons counties for within-an-hour options from Bismarck-Mandan. NDGF publishes a season-specific PLOTS Guide in late summer and maintains an interactive map viewer that you can pull up on your phone in the field; both are updated as access changes through the season (per NDGF).
Season dates, shooting hours, and species-specific rules vary, so confirm your opener and any special restrictions before heading out by checking the department’s hunting seasons page (according to NDGF’s hunting portal). If you’re new to PLOTS, note that activities other than hunting — like camping or driving into fields — are not covered by the program and may require explicit landowner permission (per NDGF).
Why it matters here in Bismarck
Access is the difference between “maybe next weekend” and getting out after work. For many in Bismarck-Mandan, PLOTS puts upland cover and small-game opportunities within a short drive of the Expressway Bridge, giving you real options even if you don’t have private-land connections (according to the North Dakota Game and Fish Department).
The program also supports habitat on working farms and ranches, which keeps grass on the landscape for grouse, pheasants, and deer while respecting local operations. NDGF emphasizes that the PLOTS model relies on good behavior — close gates, avoid standing crops, and park courteously on road rights-of-way — to maintain landowner confidence and keep acres open in future seasons (per NDGF).
Local perspectives and field notes
NDGF regularly reminds hunters that individual PLOTS parcels can carry extra rules — such as no tree stands left overnight or specific parking areas — and those are spelled out on the sign at the access point (per NDGF). Around Bismarck, that often means planning your walk-in route from a township road and leaving plenty of room for farm equipment at field approaches.
KFYR-TV’s ND Outdoors segments typically highlight those on-the-ground details as seasons ramp up — from safe field etiquette to double-checking current maps — so it’s worth catching their updates before the weekend (via KFYR-TV). If you have a favorite spot south of Menoken or west toward Mandan, take a minute to confirm signage and boundaries this year before sunrise.
How to get ready — maps, guides, and quick checks
- Check the current PLOTS map and download the season’s PLOTS Guide before you go (via NDGF).
- Verify season dates, shooting hours, and species-specific regulations for your hunt (per NDGF hunting seasons).
- In the field, defer to posted signs on fences or gates; they control what’s allowed on that parcel (according to NDGF).
- For landowners curious about enrolling property in PLOTS, NDGF outlines options, payments, and habitat practices on its site — start with the program overview and contact the department with questions (per NDGF).
If you prefer a printed copy of the PLOTS Guide, NDGF says they’re distributed to license vendors and available through the department while supplies last; timing varies, so check ahead at your usual shop or with NDGF directly (according to NDGF). For broadcast updates, KFYR-TV’s homepage and social feeds carry their latest ND Outdoors segments through the season (via KFYR-TV).
What to Watch
NDGF typically refreshes PLOTS information in late summer, with in-season adjustments if parcels change status — it pays to re-check maps before each trip (per NDGF). Expect ND Outdoors on KFYR-TV to continue sharing reminders as major openers approach; keep an eye on their site for week-of tips and any access notes (via KFYR-TV).
