Hunting Access Lease Program

December 22, 2008

New Program for Hunters & Landowners

The Calhoun Conservation District, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, is kicking off a new pilot program designed to help ease the process of landowners who wish to lease their property for hunting as well as control the deer population that so many of us are struggling with. Through this Hunting Access Lease Program (HALP), landowners can lease their property to the Calhoun Conservation District and we will find the ‘right' hunter(s) that will hunt within the goals/restrictions of the landowner. For example, if a landowner prefers that 2 doe be taken from the property before a buck, that stipulation will be written into the lease and prospective hunters will be interviewed to determine their hunting practices. The landowner can be involved in the interviews and in the final selection of hunter(s) granted the sublease if they so desire. The District will then sublease the property to the hunter(s) for an agreed upon price and term. The District then pays the landowner for the lease.

The HALP program is aimed at agricultural producers but any landowner with more than 20 acres (5 of which must be wooded) is eligible to apply. Michigan DNR rules must be followed by hunters at all times, with the ability of the landowner to set stricter rules if appropriate. If a hunter violates any laws set by the MDNR and/or rules set by the landowner, the hunting lease can be terminated.

If you're interested in the participating in the HALP program (as a landowner or as a hunter) or would like more information, please contact Mike Rubley at the Calhoun Conservation District at (269) 781-4867, x26.