Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Managed Access Project Sites program seeks to work with those private landowners whose needs fall outside the limitations of Block Management Program to achieve a species-specific level of harvest.
Managed Access Project Sites are creative ways to maximize the potential for public hunters to harvest a single species of game animal for the benefit of wildlife management and resident and nonresident hunters of Montana.
To be eligible for a Managed Access Project Site a private landowner, or their representative, must be willing to provide public hunting access to achieve a species-specific level of harvest.
Often no formal agreements are utilized, but rather assistance is provided on an as-needed basis. The landowner in collaboration with FWPdetermines when, where, and how the public may access private land and may restrict access during specific times in accordance with program guidelines.
Landowners enrolled in a Managed Access Project Site are provided liability protection understate law through 70-16-302, Montana Code Annotated (MCA) as long as no fees for access/trespass are charged. Landowners are alsopossibly eligible for reimbursement through FWP's Livestock Loss Reimbursement Program.
Landowner incentives for these Managed Access Project Sites may utilize a hunt coordinator and may compensate landowners through payment for free public hunting access.
FWP may provide hunter management assistance dependent upon need, property rules and program availability.
FWP may also develop property maps with associated rules for each property enrolled in collaboration with the landowner.
In recent years, FWP has explored many ways to work with private landowners in areas where elk numbers are high, distribution on private land is inhibiting adequate harvest of elk, and traditional Block Management may not be the best tool or incentive to affect the situation.
Landowners should contact their local Fish, Wildlife & Parks Hunting Access Coordinator, FWP Biologist or FWP Warden to discuss options that will meet landowner needs and desires.