Participants sought for 2018 ‘Community Hunting Access Program’

Indianapolis, In. — The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is looking for community partners interested in participating in the Community Hunting Access Program (CHAP) this year.

In its second year, CHAP is an initiative through the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife to increase hunting opportunities for deer in urban and suburban areas. The intent of the program is to help alleviate human-deer conflicts. CHAP provides community partners with financial and technical assistance to administer hunting programs in their communities.

As part of the program, managed hunts are administered by a certified CHAP coordinator trained in hunting safety, deer biology and public relations.

The community partner determines when and where managed hunts occur, what hunters can participate, and which certified CHAP coordinator they use or contract.

Eligible community partners include parks, homeowners associations, and other land managing entities. Parties interested in participating must submit a grant application by March 31.