Private Lands Public Wildilfe Program sign-up now
by Wyoming Game & Fish
February 18, 2011
The open enrollment and renewal period for landowners wishing to participate in the 2011 Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Private Lands Public Wildlife program began Feb. 1. All contracts must be approved by end of business April 15, 2011.
The goal of the access program is to enhance and/or maintain public hunting and fishing access onto private and landlocked public lands throughout the state. This is accomplished by providing a monetary incentive to private landowners who enroll into one of three access programs; Hunter Management Area, Walk-in Hunting Area and Walk-in Fishing Area.
A hunter management area is comprised of one or more ranches and hunters are required to obtain a permission slip, map and ranch rules to hunt. "The benefits of this program to the landowner is the reduction in the amount of time generally spent with hunters, added wildlife enforcement patrols within the hunter management area, and signage that indicates area boundaries, parking areas, closed roads and access points," said Dan Smith, Cody region access coordinator. "And, the landowner never gives up any control of his /her property or who is allowed access to it."
Walk-in hunting and fishing areas are typically smaller parcels of property that unless otherwise stated, are only accessible by foot. No permission slip is required to access these areas and each area is open during a specific time and only for species agreed upon by the landowner and the department. The Game and Fish install signs that identify the walk-in area boundary, safety zones and parking areas.
To enroll, renew or request information on the Private Lands Public Wildlife program contact Dan Smith, Cody region access coordinator at 1-800-654-1178 or 307-587-9263.
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