While there are many perks to owning a slice of Great Lakes hunting land, the state of Michigan might just offer you one more: extra money to allow other hunters on your property.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is on the lookout for landowners in the northern part of the Lower Peninsula willing to participate in the Hunting Access Program (HAP), an initiative that offers up to $25 per acre for hunting rights on private property.
According to the men and women behind the new program, it’s a win-win for everyone involved:
“You can help promote wildlife population management, support the local economy, reduce wildlife conflicts, improve your land, and get paid to do it,” said Monique Ferris, coordinator for the program.
Hunting, after all, is good for the environment and for local businesses. Hunters and anglers in the U.S. support more than 680,000 jobs. They spend an average $2,484 every year on the sport and they contribute a combined $8 million every day in support of wildlife and wildlife agencies.
“Providing access to hunting lands that are close to home is critical for supporting Michigan’s strong hunting heritage,” Ferris told the Detroit Free Press recently. “Our commitment to providing access has more than tripled the number of farms enrolled in HAP the past three years. We now have over 170 farms and nearly 20,000 acres available for public hunting.”
Great Lakes hunting land, and Michigan hunting land in particular, is known for its abundant deer population as well as turkey, elk, and small game hunting like rabbit, squirrel, grouse, and pheasant.
That $25 an acre might not be much for hunting real estate, but if you’re a current landowner or are looking to buy Michigan land for sale, it’s an added bonus that could help you spread the joy of hunting to more area residents while managing the wildlife population on your own turf.
Properties with a minimum of 40 acres may be eligible for the program, and owners can decide on what types of hunting can be permitted on the grounds.
Not only that, but Ferris says the program makes a huge impact at the local level. She estimated that local residents hunting on HAP-approved lands contribute $1.7 million annually to the state economy and most HAP hunting trips take place within 25 miles of the hunter’s home.
If you’re looking for Michigan land for sale or any type of Great Lakes hunting land, search Sports Afield Trophy Properties’ active listings today.