Landowners sought in Region 6 to participate in the state block management program for hunter access

Region 6 landowners interested in joining the state's block management program for the next hunting season have until May 15 to apply. The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks program provides several incentives to landowners who allow hunter access. Last year Region 6 had 247 landowners enrolling 1,183,259 acres.

The 2001 Legislature created a new license fee, called the hunting access enhancement fee, to help fund programs like block management and Access Montana that provide hunting access. This year, hunters will pay a one-time annual fee of $2 for residents and $10 for nonresidents upon purchasing their first hunting license of the season. Approximately $1.5 million may be made available in 2002 to expand the FWP hunter access program statewide.

After applications are received, a committee from within the region will score enrollment criteria and review them. Property size alone does not determine eligibility for the block management program. Some small landowners may be able to offer an access corridor to normally inaccessible public lands.

For more information or a landowner enrollment application package, contact Mike Lee at the Glasgow FWP Office, Rt. 1-4210, Glasgow MT 59230, or (406) 228-3700.