Post by Decatur on Feb 28, 2011 6:26:50 GMT -5
Cooperative Dove Field Program Enrollment Underway
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky farmers can deposit some much-needed extra cash in their bank accounts while helping carry on the hunting tradition by enrolling in the Cooperative Dove Field program. Enrollment is currently underway and will continue until mid-March through the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
Landowners receive a payment to manage a field on their property for doves, and then allow public hunting on it.
“Under the new Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program, increased payments are available for this coming year,” said Rocky Pritchert, migratory bird biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
The new program stems from an increase in federal funding. “We are excited that we now have this Federal Voluntary Access Program funding for Kentucky,” said Dan Figert, assistant director of wildlife for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “We hope this new funding allows for a substantial increase in the size and number of dove fields for our hunters to enjoy. For the first time, we have a significant funding mechanism through this program.”
The Cooperative Dove Field Program began in 1998 and can generate up to $10,000 for a landowner who leases a field on their land for public dove hunting.
“We will accept fields ranging from six to 30 acres with additional payments for buffers around fields. Fields generally run from 15 to 30 acres in size,” Pritchert said. “But, we encourage anyone interested to apply.”
Payment amounts depend on the number of acres enrolled in the Cooperative Dove Field Program, crop type and the farm owners’ fulfillment of their plot management agreement with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.
To get the process started, landowners must contact a local or regional Kentucky Fish and Wildlife private lands biologist or Natural Resources Conservation Service liaison. For a listing, log on to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s homepage at fw.ky.gov and click on the “Hunting, Trapping and Wildlife” tab and then on “Contact Us.” Landowners may also call 1-800-858-1549.
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky farmers can deposit some much-needed extra cash in their bank accounts while helping carry on the hunting tradition by enrolling in the Cooperative Dove Field program. Enrollment is currently underway and will continue until mid-March through the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
Landowners receive a payment to manage a field on their property for doves, and then allow public hunting on it.
“Under the new Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program, increased payments are available for this coming year,” said Rocky Pritchert, migratory bird biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
The new program stems from an increase in federal funding. “We are excited that we now have this Federal Voluntary Access Program funding for Kentucky,” said Dan Figert, assistant director of wildlife for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “We hope this new funding allows for a substantial increase in the size and number of dove fields for our hunters to enjoy. For the first time, we have a significant funding mechanism through this program.”
The Cooperative Dove Field Program began in 1998 and can generate up to $10,000 for a landowner who leases a field on their land for public dove hunting.
“We will accept fields ranging from six to 30 acres with additional payments for buffers around fields. Fields generally run from 15 to 30 acres in size,” Pritchert said. “But, we encourage anyone interested to apply.”
Payment amounts depend on the number of acres enrolled in the Cooperative Dove Field Program, crop type and the farm owners’ fulfillment of their plot management agreement with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.
To get the process started, landowners must contact a local or regional Kentucky Fish and Wildlife private lands biologist or Natural Resources Conservation Service liaison. For a listing, log on to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s homepage at fw.ky.gov and click on the “Hunting, Trapping and Wildlife” tab and then on “Contact Us.” Landowners may also call 1-800-858-1549.