Hunting News

Program offers private landowners payments for public access

Program offers private landowners payments for public access

By Missouri Department of Conservation

A new program aims to boost wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation opportunities by offering payment to private landowners for public access for hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing.

The voluntary Missouri Outdoor Recreational Access Program (MRAP) also offers financial incentives for wildlife habitat improvement on enrolled lands. It primarily focuses on enrolling lands in northern Missouri, where public access opportunities are more limited.

“This is a chance for property owners to generate additional income off the land,” said Jeff Esely, MDC MRAP manager. “Participating landowners also have the chance to share their land with others.”

The enrollment application period, which began June 1, closes July 15. Approved landowners will be notified in August with enrolled lands becoming open for public use this fall. Funding for the program is provided largely by a $1.1 million federal grant from the USDA Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program.

The Conservation Department offered a pilot MRAP program last year in northeast Missouri and enrolled more than 1,600 acres. This is the first year for a statewide program. MDC plans to enroll as many as 10,000 acres.

Offered lands must meet eligibility requirements for acreage, habitat or fishing access, depending on the type of public use that is allowed. Landowners can choose from six public access options: All Access Hunting and Fishing, Small Game and Turkey Hunting, Youth Only Hunting and Fishing, Archery Hunting, Fishing Only or Wildlife Viewing.

For example, a landowner who wants to reserve deer hunting opportunities could opt to allow only small game and turkey hunting, Esely said. A property owner with unique habitat such as a wetland might choose to allow wildlife viewing only, providing an opportunity for birders.

Landowners interested in making wildlife habitat improvements on their property gain extra points in rankings used for selecting tracts for the program, Esely said. Up to 90 percent cost share funds are available for habitat improvements such as establishing native grasses and wildflowers, timber stand improvement or planting trees useful to wildlife.

Missouri’s Recreational Use Immunity Law offers protection to landowners from any legal liability for providing free access to the public. MRAP lands are open to foot traffic only and area users self-register at designated property entry points. Parking typically occurs along roadsides. Public access is only for types of use agreed upon by the landowner and posted at entry points.

For more information and an MRAP application, visit mdc.mo.gov/mrap.

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