Hunting Access Program
Michigan Hunting Access Program
WHAT IS HAP?
HAP provides an annual payment to private landowners to allow public hunting on their land. The DNR leases private lands from landowners who give licensed hunters access to their property.
WHY HAP IN THE NLP?
The DNR aims to promote and support Michigan's hunting heritage and local economic development by providing more hunting opportunities through HAP. Similar to southern MI, agricultural areas in the Northern Lower Peninsula contain a high proportion of private lands and offer limited hunting opportunities. Expanding HAP to the NLP will produce tangible habitat improvements and increased hunting opportunities to assist in reducing transmission of Bovine TB as well as reducing the negative impacts of agricultural damage caused by wildlife.
WHO CAN ENROLL IN HAP?
Landowners within eligible counties owning 40 or more acres are eligible to apply. HAP leases can include grassland and cropland (orchard, pasture, hay, crops), forest, and/or wetlands. A minimum of 20% of the contracted areas must be in wildlife habitat. Properties cannot be bordered by/adjacent to State-owned lands.
WHAT ARE HUNTERS' RESPONSIBILITIES?
Hunters must: register at the property if they are actively hunting, observe all instructions of the landowner, know the property boundaries and not trespass on adjacent properties, not block field access routes or drive in fields without the host's permission, leave no trash, observe all hunting and trapping rules and regulations, and observe safety zones around all buildings.
If you are interested in enrolling in HAP or would like more information about the program, please contact the Emmet Conservation District Office at: 231-439-8977.
HAP provides an annual payment to private landowners to allow public hunting on their land. The DNR leases private lands from landowners who give licensed hunters access to their property.
WHY HAP IN THE NLP?
The DNR aims to promote and support Michigan's hunting heritage and local economic development by providing more hunting opportunities through HAP. Similar to southern MI, agricultural areas in the Northern Lower Peninsula contain a high proportion of private lands and offer limited hunting opportunities. Expanding HAP to the NLP will produce tangible habitat improvements and increased hunting opportunities to assist in reducing transmission of Bovine TB as well as reducing the negative impacts of agricultural damage caused by wildlife.
WHO CAN ENROLL IN HAP?
Landowners within eligible counties owning 40 or more acres are eligible to apply. HAP leases can include grassland and cropland (orchard, pasture, hay, crops), forest, and/or wetlands. A minimum of 20% of the contracted areas must be in wildlife habitat. Properties cannot be bordered by/adjacent to State-owned lands.
WHAT ARE HUNTERS' RESPONSIBILITIES?
Hunters must: register at the property if they are actively hunting, observe all instructions of the landowner, know the property boundaries and not trespass on adjacent properties, not block field access routes or drive in fields without the host's permission, leave no trash, observe all hunting and trapping rules and regulations, and observe safety zones around all buildings.
If you are interested in enrolling in HAP or would like more information about the program, please contact the Emmet Conservation District Office at: 231-439-8977.
