USDA Funds Available to Landowners Willing to Allow Walk-In Public Access for Hunting

USDA funds available to landowners willing to allow walk-in public access for hunting and fishing opportunities.

Idaho was one of several states awarded funds through a federal grant for its hunter and angler access program. The grant is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program, a program that was included in the 2008 Federal Farm Bill. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game will be administering the program for the Farm Service Agency as part of their current Access Yes ! program.

Who Qualifies? Any landowners willing to allow public hunting and fishing on their private lands. Preference will be given to Landowners with property enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and/or the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).

Program Guidelines

 The landowner will agree to allow public walk-in access for hunting and fishing on their private property.

 The property enrolled has appropriate wildlife habitat.

 Landowner will allow the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to utilize their Access Yes! website and boundary signs to inform the public about the location of these lands. Compensation Participants will be paid $1.25 per acre. Annual payments will be made to cooperating landowners in January of each year.

Liability Idaho Recreation Liability Act (Idaho Statute 36-1604) states that landowners or tenants do not assume responsibility or incur liability for injury to any persons who enter land opened to public hunting under agreement with the state.

For more information contact your Regional Idaho Department of Fish and Game office.  Panhandle Region - 208-769-1414  Clearwater Region - 208-799-5010  Southwest Region - 208-634-8137  McCall Subregion - 208-634-8137  Magic Valley Region - 208-324-4350  Southeast Region - 208-232-4703  Upper Snake Region - 208-525-7290  Salmon Region - 208-756-2271