The DNR's Iowa Habitat and Access Program (IHAP) provides habitat improvement funding to landowners. In turn, the landowners who voluntarily participate will offer public hunting access on designated areas of their private land from Sept. 1 - May 31 of each hunting season.
Funding comes from the USDA farm bill, along with habitat stamp funds. Currently, Iowa is 49th in the nation in public lands available for hunting, while having one of the most altered landscapes in the nation, making efforts to expand natural habitat for wildlife and water quality critical.
Landowners are encouraged to participate in this new program and can contact their regional private lands biologist to ask questions or start the process. Additionally, this web page provides more information and background to better understand the Iowa Habitat and Access Program (IHAP) program.
How do I sign up?
Biologists location and contact information
Iowa Habitat and Access Program FAQ
Incentive Rates
Habitat and Public Access Program Agreement
Iowa Habitat Fact Sheet
Iowa Habitat Brochure
Habitat & Access Program (IHAP) - Find Properties Enrolled
Through the new Iowa Habitat and Access Program (IHAP), Iowa landowners open their land to public hunting and in turn receive funding and expertise for habitat improvements. Ovet the last severyal year, IHAP has provided 20,000 - 40,000 acres that are open for walk-in public hunting from September 1 to May 31.
This material is based upon work supported by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, US Department of Agriculture, under number 69-3A75-14-290. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the US Department of Agriculture.