Each fall, hundreds of hunters make their way to southwestern North Dakota to track pheasants and other game birds. Abundant pheasant populations on CRP lands bring in hunters who spend $470,000 annually on local lodging, rental cars, food, and gun supplies. Pat Candrian, who leases CRP acres for hunting from area landlords, noted that, "Without CRP, we wouldn't have enough cover and habitat for hunting. The program positively impacts our economy."

Farm owner Alan Honeyman helps maintain up to 3,000 pheasants on his CRP-planted habitat by feeding them grain in the winter. "But I don't do it just for the hunters," explained Alan, who enjoys seeing the birds flourish under his care.

Besides wildlife habitat and food plots, Alan has installed CRP practices including filter strips, shelterbelts, and vegetation that reduce salinity. CRP practices like these have benefited many area farmers. "Before CRP," Alan said, "we used to have dust storms in the spring, which have now abated." Water quality has also improved. But most of all, Alan noted, "We have created wildlife habitat that has repopulated game birds."

Alan Honeyman's CRP cover of mixed grasses and legumes attracts up to 3,000 pheasants.

CRP has dramatically increased North Dakota pheasant populations, a big draw for hunters.

Mixture of four species on CRP includes tall wheat grass.

CRP practice Permanent Introduced Grass and Legumes supports white tail deer through winter.

Pheasants find winter cover in CRP fields.

Two pheasants among CRP grass cover.

Pheasant forages CRP field.