Fish and Game seeks bids for 2008 Access Yes! program

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is looking for landowners interested in providing access for hunting, fishing and other recreational activities in the Magic Valley Region. Access Yes! is in its fifth year and continues to gain popularity with landowners and hunters and anglers. The program compensates private landowners who provide public access to or through their property. "Compensation can come in the form of direct monetary payments, habitat improvement projects, and access development projects, but other types of compensation or assistance are considered," said Brad Lowe, landowner-sportsmen coordinator for Idaho Fish and Game. "The program also provides signs to landowners to help inform the public about access conditions or permission requirements." The program operates on a competitive bid process. Bids are reviewed by a local Sportsman's Review Committee, which recommends properties for funding based on criteria such as diversity of use, the number of acres, hunting opportunities available, and bid price. The number of properties enrolled is limited by the availability of program funds. "Landowners do not give up control of their land," Lowe said. "The program is designed to allow landowners to stipulate access conditions, such as foot, horse or vehicle access, and manage the types of activities that sportsmen can participate in on their property. We can design any type of program the landowner wants. Annual contracts are the most common, but multi-year bids are welcomed." In 2007, Idaho Fish and Game enrolled a total of 43 landowners in Access Yes! in the Magic Valley Region, providing public access to 193,550 private acres at an average cost of $1.09 per acre. These properties also provided access to 351,810 acres of public land. Enrollment this year was up from 37 landowners and 183,000 acres in 2006. Statewide the Access Yes! program has opened 598,940 acres of private land and access to 633,570 acres of public lands as of December 12. Fish and Game is accepting bids for enrollment in 2008. Interested landowners need to submit bids before February 15, 2008. For applications go to http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/huntplanner/accessyesguide.aspx, or call Brad Lowe at 208-324-4359.