Enrollment open for Missouri Department of Conservation outdoor recreation program

The Missouri Department of Conservation reports 15,425 deer were harvested during the antlerless portion of the 2020 hunting season. Courtesy of the Missouri Department of Conservation
The Missouri Department of Conservation reports 15,425 deer were harvested during the antlerless portion of the 2020 hunting season. Courtesy of the Missouri Department of Conservation

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is accepting applications through Oct. 15 for the Missouri Outdoor Recreational Access Program (MRAP).

Missouri has approximately 13,700 acres enrolled in the MRAP program across 55 properties. The program provides participating landowners with annual incentive payments of $15-$25 per enrolled acre and financial assistance to improve wildlife habitat on their properties for public walk-in hunting, fishing, or wildlife viewing. The standard landowner commitment period is three years, with annual renewal opportunities.

The recreation allowed on each property varies according to the public access option selected by the participating landowner. MRAP access types include all access hunting and fishing, small game and turkey hunting, youth only hunting and fishing, archery hunting, fishing only or wildlife viewing. Most MRAP access types are open to the public year-round, however, archery hunting and small game and turkey properties are open only during relevant legal seasons.

Offered lands must meet minimum eligibility requirements such as being at least 40 contiguous acres or at least a one-acre pond for fishing access. Wildlife viewing properties must be at least five contiguous acres and be located within highly populated counties. Eligible lands must be comprised of at least 20 percent quality wildlife habitat such as native grass fields, crop field buffers, restored wetlands or managed woodlands.

Public use is limited to foot traffic only. Properties must be open one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. Equipment and gear are carry-in-carry-out daily.

Participating landowners are offered liability protection through Missouri's Recreational Use Immunity Law.

Learn more about MRAP and apply to the program at mdc.mo.gov/your-property/missouri-outdoor-recreational-access- program-mrap/mrap-landowners.