Open Fields and Waters Program is looking for private land owners

The Open Fields and Waters Program, provides private landowners with an annual payment in exchange for hunters and fishermen to have access to the land. 

There are five types of land programs that open access land can be including Conservation Reserve Program, Wetland Reserve Program Easement, grasslands, woodlands and fishing, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Conservation Reserve Program land can be worth up to $10 per acre depending on overall land quality. 

Wetland Reserve Program Easements are paid by the number of accessible acres on the land, each acre is worth $15. 

Grasslands and woodlands that are good for hunting opportunities are also considered. Lands that have upland game bird species and big game species. Woodlands are worth $5-$15 an acre, according to Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. 

Fishing access to pond, rivers, lakes or streams are paid per stream mile or surface area of standing bodies of water. 

Last year Open Fields and Waters Program brought in 850 private landowners including about 372,000 walk-in hunting areas and 500 pond acres. 

There are less than 700,000 acres in Nebraska that are public, in Dawes County 97% of all lands are private.  

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reported that every three in five hunters use public lands over private.

The Recreation Liability Act protects private land owners if hunters or fishermen entering the land were injured or killed.

Landowners can apply by calling a local Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Office. Property evaluations will occur in the spring with property contracts being issued by June 1. Boundary signs are then applied by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission staff. 

Landowners are paid in the spring after fall hunting seasons close.