New Airbnb Like Company For Pay Hunting Is Now In North Dakota

Landtrust is a company out of Bozeman, Montana that is now in North Dakota.

This company recently set up shop in the Roughrider State with an office in Fargo.  Their slogan is "The Recreation Access Network". However, this recreation is not free.  More on that in a moment.

The Landtrust website will remind you a lot of Airbnb. You'll find a map of landowners across North Dakota offering up their land for access. This access could be for hunting, fishing, or even bird watching.  Each property even has a host, much like Airbnb.

Why are some North Dakotans on edge about this new company?

The perception is, that here comes another company looking to lease up prime hunting land in North Dakota.  Which isn't accurate.  Actually, Landtrust doesn't lease up the land.  They act as booking agents for the landowner interested in signing up with them.

According to reports, this company received a $1.25 million dollar grant to come to North Dakota from the North Dakota Commerce Department. They are utilizing funds made available from the Governor's office to tap into a portion of the legacy funds principal.

This was all made possible by HB 1425, a bill that opened up these funds.  It should be noted, however, that this grant is actually a loan and something Landtrust must repay the state, according to Nic De Castro from Landtrust.

Landtrust now being in North Dakota has been unsettling for some North Dakota freelance sportsmen.

That's if you look at chatter on social media platforms.  I personally believe it's any landowner's right to do what he or she wants with their land.  Post it, allow freelance hunting, or lease it up.  You can't blame a landowner for trying to make an extra buck or two off of their property.

What's bothering some North Dakotans is the money behind this project, where it's coming from, and how it could make it even harder for North Dakota freelance hunters to find a place to hunt.

As of right now, there are only 11 properties on this website in North Dakota. (UPDATE: Lots of new properties have signed on since this article was first written)   With another North Dakota hunting season on the horizon, it remains to be seen how much of an impact it will have on land access.  It could be significant.