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In 1997 Pheasant Country established a Wildlife Tree Planting Incentive Program to encourage landowners to establish shelterbelts. Pheasants need protection from the harsh South Dakota winters to help them survive until the spring nesting season. The best shelterbelts for pheasants are those that are planted with “short” trees such as Maple, Pear, Plum or Buffaloberry along with conifers such as cedars and Junipers. Minimum requirements for the incentive programs require at least 8 rows of trees with at least 4 rows of conifers.
1. The plantings must consist of at least eight rows of trees with a minimum row spacing of fourteen feet. 2. The planning must be at least two acres and payment will not be made on acres that exceed five acres. 3. The trees must be protected from livestock 4. All trees must be planted in a properly prepared site. This requires tilling and weed control prior to planting. 5. Applicant must be a current Pheasant Country member and the plot must be within a 40 mile radius of Mitchell SD 6. Maximum of 20 acres per county per year. 7. The trees will be monitored and inspected at least once a year by the county conservation district for validation and compliance. 8. The trees cannot be removed for at least 15 years. If land changes ownership during this period, the current owner must refund any payments received if the new owner removes the trees.
The program pays up to $200 per acre of which half is paid after planting and the other half is paid the following spring. The landowner cost to establish trees for pheasant habitat can range from $500 to $1000 per acre, which includes ground preparation, trees, planting and weed control for at least four years.
 Wildlife tree planting incentive form (PDF Reader required)
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