In an effort to increase public access to sharp-tailed grouse hunting opportunities, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has expanded the state's Hunting Access Program to the eastern Upper Peninsula and is seeking private landowners to join the partnership program.

The Hunting Access Program (HAP) was created by the DNR in 1977 to encourage private landowners to allow public hunting access on their land under specific terms in exchange for a financial incentive. Until this year, HAP was primarily focused on southern Michigan, where public hunting lands are limited.

"We chose to expand HAP to the eastern Upper Peninsula to help hunters gain access to productive sharp-tailed grouse hunting lands, which are mostly found on private land, " said wildlife biologist David Jentoft.

Sharp-tailed grouse hunting has been allowed in portions of eastern Chippewa and Mackinac counties since 2010 and is the only area of the state with an open sharp-tailed grouse season.

"Sharp-tailed grouse numbers in the eastern U. P. have benefited from the presence of critical grassland habitat, but since most of that habitat is privately owned, hunters -- especially those from the Lower Peninsula or out-of-state who don't have local connections -- can have a hard time gaining access, " Jentoft said. "Expanding HAP will provide greater opportunities for hunters, while also offering an incentive to eligible landowners who choose to participate. "

HAP-enrolled lands in the eastern U. P. will be open from Oct. 10-31 for sharp-tailed grouse hunting only, or from Sept. 15 to Nov. 10 for small game hunting (which includes sharp-tailed grouse). Participating landowners will select which timeframe they prefer to enroll in and the land will be designated accordingly in the HAP digest. Eastern U. P. HAP lands will not be open for hunting deer or other big game species.

The DNR is partnering with the Chippewa/Luce/Mackinac Conservation District to implement HAP in the eastern U. P. Landowners who own 40 acres or more in the sharp-tailed grouse hunting zone are eligible to apply for the program; applications are currently being accepted.

For more information or if interested in applying, contact the Chippewa/Luce/Mackinac Conservation District at 906-635-1278, or the Sault Ste. Marie DNR Field Office at 906-635-6161, extension 56171.

Full details on the HAP program, including the HAP digest and maps of currently enrolled lands, are available at www.michigan.gov/hap. To learn more about sharp-tailed grouse hunting in Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/hunting.

Contact: Dave Jentoft 906-635-6161, Mike Parker 517-641-4903 or Debbie Munson Badini906-226-1352