Controlled Hunting Access Program (CHAP)

Sponsoring Agency or Organization

South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks

Contact: Mark Norton

Email: Mark.Norton@state.sd.us

Phone: 605-773-3096

Program details

CHAP provides free public access to private land. Landowners control the number of hunters that access their land. Landowners are paid based on the number of hunters that use their land.

Website: Private Lands Access

This program applies to the following states:
  • South Dakota

    • (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
  • Walk-in programs
Program Scope: State-wide
Program Restrictions:
  • Mode of access
  • Number of hunters per day
  • Game that may be hunted
Program Funding Sources:
  • Pittman-Robertson funds
  • Hunter license funds
Is written agreement with landowner required? Yes
Download Agreement: CHAP contract.doc
Landowner Considerations:
  • Limit landowner liability
  • Post property
Cost to Participants:
  • Free
  • Program cost built into general hunting license
Landowner Payment Factors/Considerations:
  • By species allowed
  • By hunting season
  • By hunter-use days provided
Maps for this Program are Available:
  • For free
  • Via the Internet
Program Promotion:
  • Other
Program started: 2008

Audience

Target Group:
  • Any properly licensed hunter
Target Participants:
  • Any properly licensed hunter
Actions Needed to Use Enrolled Land:
  • Limit landowner liability
  • Post property
Planning and Evaluation

Manual or Plan

This program has a manual or plan: No

Evaluation

This program is evaluated: Yes

Metrics used to measure success and evaluate this program:
  • Number of participants (landowners)
  • Number of participants (hunters)
  • Formal after-season evaluations
  • Hunter surveys
  • Landowner surveys
  • Retention rate of participant landowners
How effective is the program at meeting your objectives?: Have not yet evaluated the program
Would you recommend other agencies/organizations use this model?: Don't Know
Program Size

Acres Enrolled: 16,000

Number of Landowners Participating: 12

Budget

Cost Type: Annual cost


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Published by

Mark Norton