Arenac Conservation District
4490 M-61, Standish, MI 48658, US
(989) 846-4565 ext. 5
HAP
Hunting Access Program
Michigan's Hunting Access Program was created in 1977 to increase public hunting opportunities in southern Michigan, where 97 percent of the land is privately owned. It expanded to include the NE Lower & E Upper Peninsulas. HAP is one of the oldest private lands public access programs in the nation
About Us
What does hap provide?
HAP provides access to quality private hunting lands focusing on agricultural regions and disease management areas. Providing more hunting opportunities is critical for attracting new and retaining current hunters and supporting Michigan’s strong hunting tradition.
HAP provides financial incentives to private landowners who allow hunters access to their lands. Using funds from a USDA/VPA-HIP federal grant, the DNR has significantly expanded the number of acres and properties available within the HAP program.
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What's in it for you?
HAP offers a chance to increase and diversify your property income, while helping to manage wildlife on your land such as controlling deer damage or nuisance wildlife. It's a way to allow limited access on your land, and it's flexible - you may choose to allow all hunting, youth and apprentice hunting only, small game only, deer only, turkey only, or a combination of these (options vary by region).
As a HAP landowner, you are also eligible to apply for funds for wildlife habitat improvement projects. These projects help promote quality hunting experiences while improving wildlife and habitat management on your property. Funding varies by region, contact the HAP Coordinator for more information.
How does HAP help sustain Michigan's hunting heritage?
Very little of the land in the lower third of the state, where about 90 percent of Michigan residents live, is open to public hunting. Research has shown that difficulty in finding a place to hunt may be the primary factor causing people to give up hunting, providing additional places to hunt is critically important to both recruiting new and maintaining existing hunters.
Is liability addressed?
Yes. The Michigan Legislature has addressed the concern some landowners had over sharing access to their lands because of legal liability for hunting. Landowners are free from liability as stated in P.A. 451 of 1994: "No cause of action shall arise for injuries to persons hunting on lands leased under HAP unless the injuries were caused by gross negligence or willful and wanton misconduct of owner, tenant, or lessee."
What are the hunters' responsibilities?
Hunters are guests of the landowner and are asked to:
- Register at the designated registration box each day that they use the property.
- Observe all instructions of the landowner.
- Know the property boundaries and not trespass on adjacent property.
- Not block field access routes or drive in fields without the host's permission.
- Leave no trash.
- Place tree stands or build blinds only with the landowner's permission (No permanent blinds or tree stands permitted).
- Observe all hunting and trapping rules and regulations.
- Stay out of standing crops.
- Observe safety zones around buildings.
How much can you earn?
HAP provides an annual lease payment for acres enrolled in the program. Lease amounts are based upon a combination of habitat quality, type(s) of hunting allowed and total acres enrolled. HAP can pay up to $30 per acre for high-quality habitat enrolled into a Farm Bill program such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) or for land devoted to a wildlife food plot.
Additional Incentive for Southern Michigan
In addition, landowners in southern Michigan (see specific counties listed below) can receive an extra $10 per acre from Pheasants Forever if they meet all of the following qualifications:
- Property is new to the program (not previously enrolled).
- Two-year lease agreement.
- 20 or more acres of grassland coverage.
- Small-game hunting is allowed.
Eligible counties for Pheasants Forever incentive: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Huron, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Ottawa, Saginaw, Saint Clair, Saint Joseph, Sanilac, Shiawassee, Tuscola, Van Buren, Washtenaw, and Wayne.
Maximum rates are paid for high-quality habitat allowing all hunting. DNR staff or a designee can evaluate your land to determine the lease rate. Leases are negotiated for a one-year period with payments made at the end of each hunting season.
Who can enroll in HAP?
Landowners in the Northern and Southern Lower Peninsula and a section of the Eastern Upper Peninsula, owning 20 or more acres, are eligible to apply during open enrollment periods. Please see map below for eligible counties and contact DNR to determine if enrollment is open in your county. HAP lease agreements can include forest, wetland, grassland and cropland. Minimum wildlife habitat requirements vary by region.
HAP Rules
Please see the Michigan Hunting Digest for more information about program rules.
HAP lands are privately owned lands for which the landowners have agreed to allow public access. All hunters are responsible for knowing and understanding the rules of the program, as well as the rules of each property and state and federal regulations. Please treat these privately owned lands with respect and observe the following:
- You must follow all individual landowner rules described in the hunter registration folder located at the HAP property and stated in the online property listing on this website.
- Hunting is the ONLY activity allowed on HAP lands. HAP lands are not open from June 1st through August 31st. Scouting is permitted up to 2 weeks before the hunt season.
- You must register whenever you access HAP lands at the property headquarters or hunter registration box.
- You are only allowed to hunt species listed under “Hunt Types” for each individual property, as stated in the online list of HAP properties found on this website.
- You are only allowed to hunt during the seasons listed for each individual property, as stated in the online list of HAP properties found on this website.
- Driving on HAP lands is banned unless you have landowner permission.
- Do not block drives or lanes—Park in a designated area when provided by the landowner.
- The use of ORVs is prohibited without the landowner's permission.
- Hunting in or damaging standing crops is banned.
- Use of permanent blinds, tree stands, or nails/screws in trees is prohibited. Only non-permanent blinds are permitted and must be removed when you leave.
- Clean up after yourself; No littering allowed.
- All rules and regulations enforced by the DNR still apply while hunting on HAP lands.
Mi-Hunt
Mi-HUNT shows approximate boundaries of lands open to public hunting, including public hunting land and private land open to the public for hunting. It contains up-to-date information to help you plan your next hunting trip, including ground cover types, nearby recreational facilities, trails, and more. The video tutorials are beneficial in understanding how to use the Mi-HUNT application.
Hunting Digest
