Voluntary Public Access - Habitat Incentives Program
Provides state fish and wildlife agencies with the resources to create voluntary public hunting and fishing access to private lands programs while further supporting wildlife habitat conservation on enrolled private land.
With wildlife enthusiasts in mind, the Voluntary Public Access – Habitat Incentives Program (VPA-HIP) provides state and tribal fish and wildlife agencies the resources needed to develop their own public access to private lands programs. Boasting significant popularity among both participating landowners and public access users, VPA-HIP represents a win-win for landowners and sportsmen and women.
Since its inception as part of the 2008 Farm Bill, VPA-HIP remains the only federal program designed to improve access and opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation on private lands. For hunters, anglers, and wildlife viewers, this represents a significant opportunity to address one of the largest challenges facing our communities today: quality access.
Learn more about this program and the states and tribal agencies who received funding through the 2018 Farm Bill here.
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Provides hundreds of thousands of acres of recreational access on private property among participating states and tribes.
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Generates tens of millions of dollars in wildlife-related economic activity.
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Provides access to tens of thousands of users, including hunters and anglers.
Program Highlights
Resources
Benefits of the Voluntary Public Access - Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP): 2021
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies