Grants available to land owners who allow hunting

ODESSA — Farmers and other land owners willing to provide hunting access on their land may be eligible to receive funding from the state.

The state Department of Fish and wildlife has $2.7 million to help with hunting program costs and private land access.

Some of the funds will be used for the Hunt by Reservation system and increasing hunting opportunities for big game, turkey, upland game, waterfowl and more.

“We are honored to receive this grant funding to expand our current opportunities and private lands access statewide,” agency Private Lands Access Program Manager Ciera Strickland said. “We are very excited to expand fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities across the state. This has been a challenge in the past, but with this grant we are finally able to include other recreational opportunity.”

Private landowners interested in allowing hunting on their property may enroll their property in Feel Free to Hunt, Register to Hunt, Hunt by Reservation or Hunt by Written Permission programs, she said, noting landowners may be eligible for funding depending on their location and and access opportunities.

Grant funds may also be provided to landowners providing fishing or wildlife viewing opportunities on their private property, she said.

“We’re excited to enhance access to private lands for outdoor lovers with this funding,” Strickland said, noting the funds will be earmarked and used over the next three years, beginning this summer.