Controlled hunting access program

Goals
  • Achieve optimum hunter access to and recreational use of specific private lands for hunting by controlling the amount of hunter use at a given time.

  • Allow for special provisions for uses unique to the CHAP tract such as restrictions on hunted species or game retrieval. 
CHAP guidlines
  • Enrollment and payment details: Landowners with under 1,000 acres receive $10/hunter-day of use.
    • Landowners with 1,000 or more acres also receive an additional annual payment of $250

    • Minimum payment of $250 and maximum payment of $12,000.

    • Signing bonuses may be paid for multi-year contracts that provide priority hunting opportunity for deer, elk, pheasant, turkey, or waterfowl. Bonus payment amount determined by regional review team.

    • Immediate members of the Cooperator's family are not eligible to be credited toward the hunter days used to calculate payment for the Cooperator's CHAP.

    • Payment will be made in February following the hunting season.

    • Cooperator must be legally able (through ownership or rental agreement that includes hunting privileges) to enroll offered land in CHAP.

    • Cooperator manages hunter permission slips in two ways:
      • Self-serve sign-up boxes are provided for hunters to check-in and obtain a permission slip or check in at the ranch or farm headquarters

      • On-line reservation system with a check-in box.

    • Landowner cannot exclude someone unless all available permission slips are used.
    • Region Review Teams will review applications for determining enrollment eligibility.
    • Recreational trapping is not part of the CHAP agreement.
Hunter Use
  • Hunters are required to check in and obtain a permission slip on a first-come, first serve basis before hunting. Hunters without a permission slip will be hunting without landowner permission and could be cited for trespass. When all permission slips are assigned for a particular day, then no more permission slips will be administered.
  • Hunters must:
    • Observe any special rules or restrictions for the area;
    • Know property boundaries and not trespass on to adjacent property;
    • Travel by foot only unless otherwise posted;
    • Not litter.