The application period for Michigan’s Deer Private Land Assistance Network (Deer PLAN) grant program is now open. For 2018, a total of $50,000 will be made available.
The program supports private-land deer habitat improvement projects in Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula and is funded by the state's Deer Range Improvement Program.
The focus area includes private lands in Alcona, Alpena, Crawford, Montmorency, Oscoda and Presque Isle counties, and funding allocations are based on a competitive grant application scoring process.
“Having a focus area helps us concentrate habitat projects, and doing so will provide benefits to deer hunters in areas where we have identified habitat issues,” said Ashley Autenrieth, deer program biologist.
Proposals meeting basic grant requirements and seeking between $2,000 and $10,000 in cooperative funding will be considered. A 25 percent match of funds also is required for each proposal in one or more items such as financial match, cost share, volunteer labor, material contributions or other in-kind support.
Project applications are due by Sept. 1. Successful applicants will be notified by Oct. 1. Proposed projects will be evaluated and competitively scored by a selection committee based on specific criteria.
This year’s application process has stronger emphasis on the Hunting Access Program recently expanded to the northern Lower Peninsula. Changes made to encourage landowners to participate in the program include providing additional points to the final application score if their property is enrolled in the Hunting Access Program.
“HAP is the perfect program for landowners looking to earn income from their property and extra funding for deer habitat projects,” said Monique Ferris, HAP program coordinator.
“It is a great way to support Michigan’s hunting heritage by allowing public hunting on their land. Plus, if you live in one of the four core bovine tuberculosis counties, payment incentives have just increased.”
The complete grant application package is available online.