Access YES Program Launched

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is looking for landowners in the Panhandle (five northern counties) willing to open their lands to hunters &.and receive a payment for doing so. The intent is that Idaho hunters will have more places to hunt this fall when the pilot program provides access to private lands, and to public lands where access is across private land. Named Access Yes, the new program will be operated by Fish and Game with the support of the Idaho Department of Agriculture. Initial funding for access contracts with landowners will come from interest on a Fish and Game depredation account and other department sources. Interested landowners in the Idaho Panhandle are encouraged to contact Fish and Game landowner-sportsman coordinator Mark Taylor, 769-1414, to learn more about Access Yes. The program came about due to concerns expressed by hunters and anglers. "Many Idahoans see their state's strong hunting and fishing heritage being eroded as access becomes limited and wildlife habitat is lost," Taylor said. "Access Yes can help to preserve that heritage as well as the livelihoods that depend on it." Hunting and fishing contribute nearly one billion dollars a year to Idaho's economy. The program's immediate goal is to provide access to hunting and fishing lands as well as access across private land to public land that would otherwise have no access. Statewide, landowners have already indicated interest in the program by providing sample bids for some 67,000 acres. In the Panhandle thus far, interest has been very limited. "We're ready to work with landowners to get the program rolling. We have picked a regional committee to review applications. We just need landowners with bid offers to get going" Taylor said. A regional committee of hunters and anglers has been established in each region to evaluate bids submitted from their local area. The groups of five will meet in late May to review bids and select properties to include in the program this fall. The deadline for submitting property bid proposals is May 30. The selection committee will review all applications with contracts awarded in June. Signs identifying Access Yes participating properties will be installed, and an access guide to those properties will be made available to the public prior to the fall, 2003 hunting season.