The DNR is looking to partner with landowners for the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) designed for healthy deer and wildlife habitat.
DMAP is a cooperative effort between the DNR, landowners, and hunters to provide habitat and deer herd management assistance to those interested in managing their property for wildlife.
DNR program manager Bob Nack explains how it works...
"They're connected with their local wildlife biologist. Depending on their level of enrollment and the number of acres they enroll they receive a variety of benefits. If landowners enroll 160 acres or more they get a site visit with a biologist and a forester and then they write a property-specific management plan for them as well..."
In return, DMAP participants can choose to share habitat information, collect biological data and participate in DMAP workshops. Nack says improving deer habitat on a private landowners property also helps other types of wildlife as well, including grouse and turkeys.
He says this type of arrangement is key as much of the state is in private ownership...
"We rolled out DMAP in 2014. The program was initially popular and continues to be so. Landowners that continue to enroll in the program are quite satisfied with it. They enroll with a three year commitment. Over 60 percent choose to enroll for another three years...."
People who are allowed to hunt on a property also are eligible with the landowners permission. Although DMAP enrollment is open year-round, landowners, hunters and land managers with properties that are 160 acres or more are encouraged to enroll before March 1 to be eligible for a site visit with a DNR biologist and forester in 2020. Landowners who enroll by March 1 will also receive a management plan with recommendations to assist with reaching the goals for the property.
We have a link to the DMAP programhere.
