I’ve posted this before, it’s so interesting the difference in culture and how the posting has changed hunting there. Growing up in SD where you had to have permission regardless, I’ve always been uneasy hunting non posted land while hunting ND. I do agree these changes were meant to effectively push the system to allow more land to be locked up, likely from a property rights angle. Which I understand too, I don’t own the wildlife but I do own the land right? Sure sucks it’s all on technology now too.
In SD the erosion of acccess has occurred too. Pay to play big game and pheasants are the norm in many areas. But the bigger issue is just a general disconnect of hunters and the landowners. Small town guys still have opportunities but if you pull in with a city license plate and knock on the door you’re probably getting denied. And thus public land pressure is crazy.
Hunting is declining just on access alone. Sad.