DOW SEEKS LANDOWNERS FOR WALK-IN ACCESS PROGRAM IN SAN LUIS VALLEY

By admin at Mon, 2006-10-16 11:50 | | Colorado Fishing News

The “Walk-in Access Program” sponsored by the Colorado Division of Wildlife to provide hunters access to private land to hunt small game is expanding to western Colorado. 
     
Property owners who participate in the program are eligible to earn from $5 to $20 per acre depending on the amount of property available for hunting. In southwest Colorado the DOW is asking property owners to consider providing access for spring turkey hunting.
     
The walk-in program has been in place for many years on Colorado’s eastern plains. In that region, private landowners allow hunters access to hundreds of thousands of acres of land.
     
While most of the land in western Colorado is publicly owned, thousands of acres of private property are located in prime wildlife habitat.
     
Enrolled properties will be clearly marked with Division of Wildlife “Walk-in Access” signs and their locations published in a walk-in atlas. Landowners are not identified in the atlas. Access to enrolled properties is by foot only. No vehicles or horses are permitted.   
     
The program is funded through sales of a mandatory Walk-In Access program permit which will be available for $20 at all DOW offices and all hunting and fishing license vendors. Enforcement of regulations is the responsibility of the DOW. All normal hunting regulations apply on Walk-In Access properties.
     
Interested landowners in Rio Grande, Conejos and Alamosa counties should contact their local district wildlife manager or the DOW office in Monte Vista at (719)587-6900.