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MADISON - A new program to provide additional land for public access has arrived just in time for the nine day deer gun hunting season. The Department of Natural Resources Voluntary Public Access (VPA) provides financial incentives to private landowners who open up their land to public hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife observation.
Wisconsin received $1.9 million dollars through a competitive grant authorized in the 2008 Federal Farm Bill to implement this program.
“We have 140 lease agreements signed in 24 counties totaling just over 25,000 acres,” said program coordinator Melissa Keenan. “The land enrolled ranges from agriculture land to grassland, wetland, and forest.”
A number of properties are nearby or adjacent to state wildlife areas while other properties are on their own, creating additional access areas where no public lands were available before. Properties are open year round to all hunting seasons.
“We treat these like state wildlife areas meaning access is limited to foot travel only and only portable stands are permitted,” said Keenan.
Property boundaries are marked with white signs in green writing stating “Private Land Leased for Public Access.” Users are asked to be respectful of landowners rights and be appreciative for the privilege they have been given. “The only way this program is going to be successful and available in the future is if landowners are satisfied with the program and are willing to continue opening up their land to the public,” said Keenan.
In order to evaluate the success of the program, Keenan urges users to fill out a survey located at each VPA property entrance. “We’re hoping to find out how people found out about the properties, how far they traveled, and if they were successful with harvesting fish or game on the properties,” said Keenan.
Maps and additional information on individual properties can be found on the VPA webpage by visiting dnr.wi.gov and searching “VPA.” Any questions can be directed to Keenan at or melissa.keenan@wisconsin.gov.
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