DNR News Release: Landowners encouraged to take advantage of incentives to open lands to public for spring turkey hunt
MILWAUKEE – The Department of Natural Resources is encouraging private landowners in southeast Wisconsin to sign up for the Turkey Hunting Access Program. This is a voluntary pilot program offered by the DNR that provides financial incentives to private landowners who open their property to public turkey hunting. The deadline to enroll is May 29, 2016. Participants can sign up for three years. Annual lease rates are $5 dollars per acre, per year, with an upfront payment from the state for the term of the lease to May 29, 2016.
“For hunters looking to take part in next spring’s turkey season, finding available land can be difficult,” according to Justin Blindert, DNR turkey hunting access program coordinator. “Both landowners and hunters can benefit from this program. Landowners can take advantage of the financial incentives and hunters can access new areas for the spring turkey hunt.”
Any landowner who is located within turkey management zone two is eligible to apply. Turkey management zone two is comprised of Washington, Ozaukee, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha and Walworth counties. Grassland, wetland, forest land and agricultural land are eligible for enrollment. Land adjacent to public land or land enrolled in the Voluntary Public Access Program is not eligible, but land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, Wetland Reserve Program or Managed Forest Law is eligible for enrollment. Properties greater than 40 acres with more than 50 percent forested cover will receive priority.
Spring turkey hunting is the only activity allowed on Turkey Hunting Access Program properties. Land will be open for public use from March 1 through May 29 for legal spring turkey hunting and scouting.
For more information, contact your local DNR wildlife biologist or contact Turkey Hunting Access Program Coordinator Justin Blindert at 262-224-9884, or Justin.Blindert @wisconsin.gov. You can also go to: http://dnr.wi.gov/files/pdf/thap_faq.pdf.