FWP announces open fields enrollment period
Applications can be submitted through April 14
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News from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks
HELENA — It’s time for landowners with land enrolled in the federal Conservation Reserve Program to send in applications for enrollment in the state-sponsored Open Fields for Game Bird Hunters. Open Fields is a voluntary incentive program designed to benefit landowners while also providing habitat for upland game birds and giving bird hunters more places to hunt.
Open Fields is offered through Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program and is available to private landowners with existing CRP with at least two years remaining on the contract. Landowners applying for enrollment in the 2023 general CRP sign-up are encouraged to apply for Open Fields. Up to 320 CRP acres per landowner may be enrolled. Participants receive a one-time payment based on $5 per CRP-acre each year the CRP is enrolled in the federal program.
In addition to rental payments, landowners may also qualify for financial incentives to conduct specific mid-contract management activities, such as light disking, with prior approval through the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Producers who are seeding CRP may qualify for a bonus payment of $5 per acre.
All enrollments must be on private land that is legally accessible. Landowners must agree to allow free walk-in game bird hunting without further permission. Open Fields leases allow for haying or grazing once in five years when pre-approved by the USDA Farm Services Agency.
Enrolled lands will be clearly signed to allow for walk-in game bird hunting. Because Open Fields is intended to expand areas open to the public for game bird hunting, public lands and lands already enrolled in FWP’s Block Management Program or the Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program do not qualify. However, these lands may be eligible for other CRP-related habitat improvement and incentive options, including Habitat Management Leases and CRP Seed Cost-shares. Contact any staff listed on the Open Fields application and fact sheet for more information.
Applications for enrollment in Open Fields for Game Bird Hunters may be submitted now through April 14. For more information and an application, visit the Open Fields Enrollment page on FWP’s website. Funding for Open Fields is limited this year, and landowners interested in enrollment are encouraged to submit their applications early.
