Ripley County, In. — The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is seeking private landowners to allow limited public gamebird hunting opportunities on their properties in exchange for financial incentives and technical assistance through a program called Access Program Providing Land Easements or APPLE.
APPLE is In its second year, and provides hunters with an opportunity to hunt ring-necked pheasant, bobwhite quail, and American woodcock, while also providing landowners with significant benefits.
Because nearly 96 percent of Indiana privately owned, public gamebird hunting opportunities are limited.
Participating landowners are eligible for incentives of up to $25 per acre. Additional financial assistance is also available for creating or improving habitat.
DNR biologists will work closely with each landowner to develop a wildlife habitat management plan. Biologists will also help landowners plan the number and timing of hunts on their land.
The DNR is targeting landowners of 20 acres or more within five focal regions across the state.
Hunters will be selected for the program using Indiana’s online reserved hunt draw system.
Landowners can continue to hunt all other species on their land during the duration of the APPLE hunts, and may hunt gamebirds after the APPLE hunts.
