Monroe County land sought for hunting

Suzanne Nolan Wisler, The Monroe News
·2 min read
The check-in station at a Hunting Access Program property in Lenawee County is shown. Hunters sign-in here and check for other users. Then, they may hunt on the property if the capacity has not been reached. Property owners who enroll land in the program receive payments and may specify the types of hunting allowed on the property.
The check-in station at a Hunting Access Program property in Lenawee County is shown. Hunters sign-in here and check for other users. Then, they may hunt on the property if the capacity has not been reached. Property owners who enroll land in the program receive payments and may specify the types of hunting allowed on the property.

The Lenawee Conservation District is seeking private Monroe County land for the Department of Natural Resources’ Hunting Access Program.

Landowners who enroll their land in the program allow hunting on the property and receive payment for use of the property. Enrollment is open through Sept. 1.

Landowners must have at least 40 acres of land with some wildlife habitat, such as a forest, brush or wetland.

The Hunting Access Program began in 1977 and aims to “increase public hunting opportunities in areas with limited public land,” the Lenawee Conservation District said. The district also serves Monroe County.

The program has grown in the last 45 years.

“The program has continually evolved since its inception in 1977 and, since 2011, the number of enrolled acres has more than tripled,” Laura Judge, Farm Bill biologist with the Lenawee Conservation District, said. “Currently there are about 150 properties enrolled in the program across the eligible counties.”

But, none are in Monroe County.

“There are currently no properties in Monroe County enrolled in the program, and we are excited to find out if there are any interested landowners,” Judge said.

Landowners receive annual payment for use of their land.

“Payments are based on habitat type, habitat quality and types of hunting allowed, and can be as high as $20 per acre per year,” Judge said. “There is also a $5 per acre bonus added for land enrolled in a Farm Bill program, such as the Conservation Reserve Program, for a maximum payment of $25 per acre per year.”

Landowners receive liability protection on the enrolled lands through Public Act 451.

"The Michigan Legislature has addressed the concern some landowners had over sharing access to their lands because of legal liability for hunting," Judge said. "Landowners are free from liability as stated in P.A. 451 of 1994: 'No cause of action shall arise for injuries to persons hunting on lands leased under HAP unless the injuries were caused by gross negligence or willful and wanton misconduct of owner, tenant or lessee.'"

Landowners also can control the number of hunters on the property and choose what types of hunting will be permitted (such as turkey only, small game only, youth and apprentice only, etc.).

Other landowner benefits are better management of wildlife on the property and less wildlife crop damage, the Lenawee Conservation District said.

There is no extra cost for hunters to use HAP lands. Hunters must follow the rules for each property, register at the property each day and respect the landowners' property.

The program is popular among hunters.

"Our best estimate is that 7,000 to 8,000 hunters use HAP lands across the state every year," Judge said.

To enroll or to learn more about the Hunting Access Program, contact Judge at laura.judge@macd.org or (517) 263-7400, ext. 5592 or the DNR Wildlife Division at DNR-HAP@Michigan.gov or (517) 284-9453.

For more information, visit www.mi.gov/hap.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe County land sought for hunting