Dec. 11, 2014

Popular program provides landowner income and hunter access

PRATT – Kansas landowners interested in earning extra income can enroll eligible acres in the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s (KDWPT) Spring Walk-In Hunting Access (WIHA) program. The deadline to enroll for the 2015 season is Jan. 15.

Last year, more than 214,000 acres were enrolled, providing significant hunting opportunities for spring turkey hunters.

As a state that is 97 percent privately-owned land, hunting access can be a challenge for hunters. The WIHA program was created in 1995 as a way to significantly increase public hunting access, while keeping land in private ownership and providing additional income to landowners. The fall WIHA program now has more than 1 million acres enrolled, however most fall WIHA contracts end January 31.

The Spring Turkey WIHA program seeks land with suitable turkey hunting opportunities for the spring season. Leases run from April 1-May 31. Once enrolled, the property is posted with signs indicating access dates, and a map of the tract will be included in a free atlas published by KDWPT. Game wardens periodically patrol WIHA properties. In addition, state law provides protection to private individuals who lease their land to the state for recreational purposes from liability for damages or injuries resulting from ordinary negligence. All WIHA is walk-in only and open only to hunting during the dates listed on the contract.

For more information on the Spring WIHA program, call the KDWPT Pratt Operations Office at (620) 672-5911.

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