Habitat & Conservation  |  08/23/2023

Podcast Ep. 227: Introducing South Dakota’s New Public Access To Habitat Program


b9205622-7da7-4402-876c-2e6c423b9340
Host Bob St.Pierre is joined by PF’s Director of Communications Jared Wiklund and Development Officer Jake Hanson to announce the organization’s new Public Access To Habitat (PATH) program. PATH opens to South Dakota landowners for enrollment on September 1st and to hunters for public hunting access later this autumn. Ben Brettingen, onXHunt’s Regional Manager, also jumps into the conversation to deliver the program’s first $250,000 contribution, in partnership with South Dakota Tourism, which will result in the PATH program’s first 10,000 acres of open access.  

Episode Highlights:
  • The group has gathered in northern Wisconsin to run their bird dogs together before setting up the podcasting gear and camp chairs for a conversation about bird dogs, upland hunting, and public access. 
  • Wiklund explains how the creation of the Aberdeen Pheasant Coalition in 2013 was the precursor for this new statewide PATH program launching in South Dakota this autumn. 
  • Hanson reminisces about predicting the future during episode 143 of On The Wing podcast while on the 2021 Rooster Road Trip, then directs landowners interested in learning more about PATH to connect with a PF Farm Bill Biologist in South Dakota.  
Special thanks to onXHunt and South Dakota Tourism for kicking off our new PATH program with the effort’s first contribution. Use the code PFQF at onxhunt.com for 20% off.