State of Michigan

06/10/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/10/2021 14:07

Landowners receive payment to enroll in DNR Hunting Access Program

The Michigan Department of Natural ResourcesHunting Access Program is enrolling private propertyin portions of thesouthern and northeasternLower Peninsula, as well as the eastern Upper Peninsula.

To enroll, landowners should haveat least 40 acresof landwith somewildlife habitat(forest, brush, grassland and/or wetland).

Priority for enrollment will be given to lands near urban and suburban areas with limited public access. Enrollment also will focus on:

  • Areas where the distance to public lands is over 30 miles.
  • Land with sharp-tailed grouse hunting opportunities in the eastern U.P.
  • Counties where bovine tuberculosis has been identified in the northeastern Lower Peninsula.

There are 46 counties in the Lower Peninsula eligible for enrollment. A map of counties with enrollment opportunities can be found at Michigan.gov/HAP.

The Hunting Access Program is one of the nation's longest-running dedicated private-land, public-access programs. Since 1977, HAP has provided private landowners another option to earn income from their land for allowing controlled huntingaccess.

Benefits to landownersinclude:

  • An annual payment based on acres of land enrolled, type of land cover and type of hunting allowed.
  • Liability protection for the landowner through Public Act 451if enrolled in HAP.
  • Flexible optionsthat allow selection of the hunting types allowed on the property and a maximum number of hunters on the property at a time, as well as the option to allow only youth and apprentice hunting.
  • The chance to promote and support Michigan's rich hunting heritage.
  • Better management of wildlife on the property.

Most counties have local conservation district staffavailable to assist with enrollment and help landownerslearn what they could earn fortheir land.Enrollment will remain open through Sept. 1.

There are no extra costs for hunters to use HAP lands, but they are responsible for reviewing rulesfor each propertythey plan to hunt(available online), checking inat the propertybefore each day of hunting and respecting the landowners'property.

Questions about enrollment? Contact Mike Parker at 517-898-3293or DNR-HAP@Michigan.gov.