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For many, hunting has been a great pastime, an activity and skill that has been handed down from generation to generation. Many who wanted to hunt could do so by stepping out the back door or visiting a relative’s farm. Today, hunting is a whole new game – with absentee landowners and corporate owned farming, gaining permission to hunt on privately owned ground is increasingly difficult. However, hunting as a sport and passion has not dwindled. States and local entities could do well by offering access to hunting on private lands. For a small fee, hunters will come and bring with them much needed economic activity to rural communities.

This page will describe what the program might look like (each state may have its own rules and regulations in place) and offer examples of a few state programs.

Many states have or are considering implementing an incentive program to landowners who open their ground for hunting. Walk in Hunting Areas (WIHA) are sections of ground that a land owner has agreed to give access to hunters during particular hunting seasons. In most cases, the state offers a financial incentive to the land owner.

The Nebraska Open Fields and Waters Program is a two-year pilot program, with the primary focus of expanding access to private lands for hunting and fishing. There are numerous benefits to the landowner:

• Receive payments on a per-acre basis for land or water enrolled.
• Protection under the Nebraska Recreation Liability Act for allowing access.
• Hunters and anglers would be provided walk-in access. No vehicles are allowed, except on trails specified by the landowner.
• Help ensure Nebraska's rich outdoor heritage by allowing expanded hunting and fishing opportunities.
• Play a role in conservation by providing a means to control problematic wildlife populations.
• Signs will be posted on enrolled lands by Commission staff.
• All enrolled lands will be published in an atlas.
• Encourage hunting and fishing, which will lead to increased conservation funding and actions.

A state survey estimates that hunters who used South Dakota's Walk-In Areas last fall boosted the state's economy by at least $15 million. 

Larry Gigliotti of the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department says hunters used more than 1.2 million acres of Walk-In land leased from farmers and ranchers last year.  The hunters were asked to fill out surveys, and most hunters said they were satisfied with the program.  Gigliotti says the state spent about $2.2 million on the program last year to lease land from private landowners, and open it for public hunting.

Source: KEVN TV and Associated Press Thursday July 8, 2010

Colorado – Walk-in Access Program

Idaho – Access Yes!

Illinois – Access Illinois Outdoors

Kansas – Walk-in Hunting Access Program

Nebraska – Open Fields and Waters Program

North Dakota - Private Land Open to Sportsmen (PLOTS)

Oregon – Access and Habitat

South Dakota – Walk-in Area Program

Texas – Walk-in Hunting

Utah – Walk in Access Program

Wyoming – Walk-in Area

Contact your state department of game and parks or wildlife.