Landowners have until June 15 to enroll in Open Fields and Waters

Private landowners have until June 15 to enroll their land in the Open Fields and Waters (OFW) Program. Through OFW, landowners can earn additional income for allowing walk-in hunting, trapping and/or fishing access on their properties.
    John Laux, Upland Habitat and Access Coordinator for Nebraska Game and Parks, said OFW is a win-win for both private landowners and hunters.
    “Participating landowners benefit from the extra income and our hunters and anglers (who help fund the program) have more places to go,” he said.
    With over 97 percent of Nebraska’s land-base in private ownership, obtaining access to private lands continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing today’s hunters and anglers. Increasing public hunting opportunities is a primary objective outlined in the Berggren Plan, Game and Park’s five-year initiative aimed at improving the pheasant hunting experience in Nebraska.
    “Last year, we added over 23,000 acres and hope to continue to expand the program in 2018,” said Laux.

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