Chapter IV - Block Management Effectiveness 



Advertising the Areas 



Currently, hunters cannot readily find a conservation easement or an 

 UGBP project to hunt because neither are "advertised". A 1998 

 contracted evaluation of the UGBP indicated problems with public 

 access to project areas. The evaluation found many projects 

 appeared closed to public hunting because of improper signing; 

 about one-half of the projects were not signed. The evaluators 

 observed improper signing in all regions. 



Our audit confirmed the evaluator's findings. Division management 

 stated some biologists/regions are reluctant and hesitant to sign 

 projects, the concern being publicizing the project would inundate 

 those landowners with hunters. Regional staff also indicated they 

 are hesitant to sign and/or publish projects due to potential 

 cooperator withdrawal from the program if they have to deal with a 

 lot of hunters. 



Public information about project areas is primarily limited to: 1) 

 department personnel responding to individual requests for 

 information, 2) hunters reviewing documentation in project files, 

 and 3) hunters looking for signs in the field. If signs are located by 

 the hunter, they do not include information on how to contact the 

 landowner. The evaluation report stated "... the average hunter 

 may not be aware of the program. The percent of hunters educated 

 about the program is low." 



Acquiring free public hunting through UGBP projects as required by 

 statute has limited value if hunters can not readily obtain location 

 and contact information. If hunters are aware of the program and 

 inquire about it at a regional office, most regions do not have a list 

 of landowners in the program. The hunter or staff person would 

 have to search through files. 



Summary 



Page 34 



The department has three programs which address access to private 

 land for free public hunting. The Block Management Program 

 provides landowners with tangible benefits to offset the impacts of 

 hunters. The Upland Game Bird Habitat Enhancement Program 

 increases habitat for birds and other wildlife, and requires the 

 landowner to provide free public hunting on the project land. 

 Conservation easements have contract language requiring 



