Open Fields is a collaborative conservation effort involving FWP’s Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program (UGBEP), Private Landowners, and the USDA Farm Service Agency to manage CRP and other high value cover in a wildlife-friendly way.

In the past, Open Fields enrollments have been funded through a USDA Farm Bill Program called “Voluntary Public Access – Habitat Incentive Program” grant.  The grant was successfully expended in 2023.  Since 2012, Open Fields has enhanced nearly 73,000 acres of CRP and other high value habitats and opened up nearly 145,000 acres of game bird hunting access on private lands.

At this time, Open Fields is not open for new enrollments. 

If you are a landowner or State Land lessee with CRP, please check out UGBEP’s CRP Add-on Lease option.

CRP acres located on private lands, including lands enrolled in Block Management, or State Trust lands are eligible to apply.