Proposed Pilot Project May Expand Access Yes!

Since its inception in 2004, a program designed to improve hunter and angler access to and across private land has grown. Hunters and anglers have told the Idaho Department of Fish and Game that access is among their top concerns. And the Access Yes! program, funded by Super Hunt drawings and donations, has grown to provide access to more than 1,250,000 acres of private and public land, wildlife bureau chief Jim Unsworth told the Fish and Game Commission during the quarterly meeting in Idaho Falls July 13 and 14. "We feel like it's a great success," Unsworth said. The goal is one million acres of private land. Meanwhile, Fish and Game officials in the Magic Valley region are proposing a pilot program to test incentives - in addition to money - for habitat improvements and hunter and angler access to increase access, Regional Supervisor Dave Parrish told commissioners. The pilot program would combine some aspects of Access Yes! and the Landowner Appreciation Program, which offers controlled hunt tags to landowners who provide wildlife habitat on their property. But hunters are concerned that giving landowners tags will lead to selling those tags to the highest bidder - taking tags away from the public and making hunting a rich person's sport. The list of possible incentives could include help with road maintenance and construction, adding cattle guards and parking areas; free hunting and fishing licenses; help with fencing and habitat projects; tax credits for access easements; and others, Parrish said. Fish and Game officials plan to survey landowners, hunters and anglers for opinions on these ideas during July and August. They will expand the survey statewide in September to gauge whether there are regional differences in opinions about incentives. Commissioner Gary Power questioned whether a pilot project in the Magic Valley would sell in North Idaho. After reviewing responses, they plan to present a proposal to Fish and Game commissioners in November. Commission Chairman Cameron Wheeler said he was encouraged about the pilot project. "It will make Access Yes! work," he said.