Apply Now To Enroll Property in SE Colorado to Earn Hunting Dollars

~ Pilot Program in SE Colorado ~

The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) has announced a new pilot program for the 2007 Big Game hunting season.  The new program will be known as the Big Game Access Program (BGAP). 
 
This pilot will focus on deer and pronghorn hunting in southeast Colorado during the regular seasons on private lands. The following Game Management Units will potentially be included: 116, 117, 120, 121, 122, 125, 126, and 127.
 
The DOW will pay landowners to allow big game hunting access on their property -- similar to existing programs that allow access to hunt small game and upland birds.
 
Eligible cover types of land for this program will be upland grass or prairie habitat with a focus on pronghorn, and river bottom or riparian land with a focus on deer.  Landowners whose properties meet the requirements of this program can receive payment for allowing hunters onto their land. 
 
Landowners whose properties meet BGAP requirements will receive payment for allowing hunters onto their land.  Payments to the landowner will range from 25-cents per acre up to a maximum of $3 per acre depending on the size of the property, type of the habitat and number of days access is allowed.
 
Landowners must apply by June 1, 2007.  There will be a ranking process and properties will be rated based on habitat quality, number of pronghorn or deer, and budget limitations.  Only a limited number of properties can participate.  The program will begin with this falls hunting seasons.
 
Properties must re-enroll to participate again in subsequent years.
 
BGAP benefits both landowners and hunters.  The benefit to landowners is that it provides additional income.  Hunters benefit because it opens up more hunting opportunities.
 
Enrolled properties will be clearly marked with DOW “Walk-in Access” signs.  All posting is done by the DOW.  Landowners’ names, addresses or telephone numbers are kept confidential.  
 
Access to hunt on the land enrolled in BGAP is by walk-in only.  Hunters must have a valid license for the season they hunt in and buy a $40 BGAP permit to gain access to enrolled properties.  BGAP permits may be purchased at any license agent or DOW office. 
 
The access stamp will apply to Pronghorn and Deer hunting only.  Any other hunting on the lands enrolled in this program (such as small game) will be at the discretion of the landowner with permission only.
 
This pilot program will be conducted for a period of up to three years, with an annual evaluation to determine the ability to sustain the program and potential to expand.  The evaluation will be based on landowner satisfaction, sportsmen satisfaction, game harvest by species, economic viability, and overall participation in and success of the program.
 
Maps of enrolled properties will be available on the internet (http://wildlife.state.co.us/) as soon as possible after enrollment is completed.  Landowner applications may also be downloaded from the same site.
 
For more information, or to obtain an application to enroll your land, please contact the DOW office in Lamar at (719) 336-6600.  Correspondence can be sent addressed to the Colorado Division of Wildlife c/o BGAP, 2500 South Main St., Lamar, CO. 81052.