Enrollment now open for Ohio Landowner-Hunter Access Partnership program

Columbus — Landowners may now enroll their property in the Ohio Landowner-Hunter Access Partnership, according to the Ohio DNR (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Enrollment in the program is open until Thursday, July 31, and incentivizes property owners to provide land access to hunters. Since the program’s launch in 2021, nearly 31,000 acres have been enrolled.

Those interested in enrolling their property can visit the Ohio Landowner-Hunter Access Partnership page at wildohio.gov to receive more information. Landowners can receive annual payments ranging from $2 per acre for crop land to $30 per acre for perennial wildlife habitats such as grasslands, wetlands, and forests. Additionally, landowners may receive a bonus payment if they allow white-tailed deer gun hunting. Enrollment contracts are two years, with the possibility of re-enrollment.

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Enrolled lands can be accessed between September and June by hunters with a free daily access permit. Permits are distributed on a first come, first served basis, and reduce overcrowding on huntable lands. Participating hunters receive a list of rules for the property prior to accessing the land, and landowners receive a notification when hunters will access their property.

All hunting activities except white-tailed deer gun hunting and trapping are permitted by Ohio Landowner-Hunter Access Partnership users. Permits can be obtained at wildohio.gov or on the free HuntFish OH mobile app.

The Ohio Landowner-Hunter Access Partnership program is funded, in part, by the federal Farm Bill under the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program. This bill provides funding to state and tribal agencies through a competitive grant process to implement programs encouraging hunting access on private properties.

A recent survey showed that landowners enrolled in Ohio Landowner-Hunter Access Partnership are overwhelmingly satisfied with the program. Overall, 90% of survey respondents indicated they were satisfied or somewhat satisfied with the program.

Hunters and landowners can find more information about the program, including answers to frequently asked questions, on the Ohio Landowner Hunter Access Partnership page.