Block Management Hunting Access Program

Sponsoring Agency or Organization

Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks

Contact: Alan Charles

Email: acharles@mt.gov

Phone: 406-444-3798

Program details

Private Land Hunting Access Program

Website: Private Land Hunting

This program applies to the following states:
  • Montana

    • (Click the links above to see access programs in that state.)

Program Focus:
  • Private Land Access
Program Type:
  • Block management (landowner - customized programs designed to manage hunter use of private lands) program
Program Scope: State-wide
Program Restrictions:
  • Mode of access
  • Number of hunters per day
  • Number of hunters by season
  • Game that may be hunted
  • Parking area restrictions
  • Youth only
  • Handicap only
  • Method of take (archery, shotgun, etc.)
  • Time of year
Program Funding Sources:
  • Pittman-Robertson funds
  • Hunter license funds
Is written agreement with landowner required? Yes
Landowner Considerations:
  • Limit landowner liability
  • Increase law enforcement
  • Post property
  • Supplies and materials provided
  • Complimentary non-transferable hunting/fishing license
  • free subscription to agency magazine
Cost to Participants:
  • Free
Landowner Payment Factors/Considerations:
  • By hunter-use days provided
Maps for this Program are Available:
  • For free
  • As hard copies
  • Available at program location
  • Available at State offices
Program Promotion:
  • Internet
  • On-site (Kiosks, etc.)
  • Proclamations/regulations
Program started: 1985

Audience

Target Group:
  • Any properly licensed hunter
Target Participants:
  • Any properly licensed hunter
Actions Needed to Use Enrolled Land:
  • Limit landowner liability
  • Increase law enforcement
  • Post property
  • Supplies and materials provided
  • some areas require no action; some require landowner contact; some are self-administered;
  • all hunters need to possess valid BMA map
Planning and Evaluation

Program objectives:

  • Goals WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 1) Program supports state & regional wildlife program objectives. 2) Program supports other FWP wildlife programs. HUNTER OPPORTUNITY 1) Program maintains current opportunities and expands new opportunities. 2) Hunter pressure is managed at levels satisfactory to landowners and hunters. LANDOWNER RELATIONS 1) Program recognizes landowner contributions to maintaining wildlife resource. 2) Program establishes long-term positive relationships with hunters/landowners/FWP. ADMINISTRATIVE ACCOUNTABILITY 1) Program is fiscally responsible and accountable. 2) Program maintains a measurable, acceptable level of satisfaction among participants. 3) Ongoing structured program review maintains program adaptability. PARTICIPANT EDUCATION/OWNERSHIP 1) Program fosters ownership among program participants. 2) Program fosters responsible hunter behavior. 3) Program increases hunter respect for private property and landowner concerns.

Manual or Plan

This program has a manual or plan: Yes

Evaluation

This program is evaluated: Yes

Metrics used to measure success and evaluate this program:
  • Number of participants (landowners)
  • Number of participants (hunters)
  • Hunter-days tabulated
  • General, unstructured feedback from hunters
  • Informal exit interviews with participants leaving the site
  • Formal exit interviews with participants leaving the site
  • Informal after-season evaluations
  • Formal after-season evaluations
  • Multi-year evaluations of participant landowners
  • Multi-year evaluations of participant hunters
  • Informal qualitative evaluations based on participant landowner feedback
  • Formal qualitative evaluations based on participant landowner feedback
  • Informal qualitative evaluations based on participant hunter feedback
  • Formal qualitative evaluations based on participant hunter feedback
  • Hunter surveys
  • Landowner surveys
  • Retention rate of participant landowners
  • Geographic distribution of areas
How effective is the program at meeting your objectives?: Very effective
Would you recommend other agencies/organizations use this model?: Yes
Program Size

Minimum Property Size: no minimum - average acres enrolled per landowner - 6,400

Acres Enrolled: 8.7 million

Number of Hunters Participating: approximately 85,000

Number of Landowners Participating: 1272

Budget

Cost Type: Annual cost

Program cost: $6.5 million


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Published by

Alan Charles