Indiana DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife (DFW)
Financial Assistance for Landowners
The following programs are available to landowners to improve wildlife habitat. To learn more about each, contact a wildlife biologist.
Game Bird Habitat Development Program
To participate in this program, a landowner must own or control 5 or more acres.
The program reimburses a portion of the expenses incurred by a landowner for developing Northern bobwhite, ring-necked pheasant, American woodcock, mourning dove, ruffed grouse, or wild turkey habitat as specified in a management plan. The program may reimburse up to $330 per acre of habitat created. Financial incentives up to $100 per acre may be available for development and maintenance of quality wildlife habitat beneficial to game birds listed in the first sentence. The program will reimburse landowners for habitat developments based on DFW habitat development reimbursement rates. Annual cap limits apply to financial agreements.
Financial assistance from this program may not be used on any licensed or commercial hunting preserve. Habitat improvements developed through this program must be maintained as specified in the management plan for a minimum of three years.
Indiana Private Lands Access Program (IPLA)
IPLA is the division's first private lands hunter access program.
IPLA provides financial incentive payments to private landowners who allow controlled public access hunting on their lands. Wildlife biologists also will work with landowners to establish and improve habitat.
Interested hunters apply via reserved draw for hunting opportunities of Northern bobwhite, ring-necked pheasant, wild turkey, and American woodcock. The landowner reserves the hunting privileges for all species on the property except on the scheduled dates when the property is being accessed for the IPLA controlled hunts.
Wildlife Habitat Cost-Share Program
To participate in this program, a landowner must own or control 5 or more acres.
The program reimburses a portion of the expenses incurred by a landowner for developing wildlife habitat as specified in a management plan. The program will reimburse the landowner for habitat development projects based on DFW habitat development reimbursement rates. Annual cap limits apply to financial agreements.
Habitat improvements developed through this program must be maintained as specified in the management plan for a minimum of three years.
Game Bird Partnership Program
The Indiana Division of Fish & Wildlife administers this program in partnership with local not-for-profit conservation organizations such as Pheasants Forever/Quail Forever or the National Wild Turkey Federation.
The program reimburses a portion of the expenses incurred by a landowner for developing Northern bobwhite, ring-necked pheasant, American woodcock, mourning dove, ruffed grouse, or wild turkey habitat. DFW may contribute up to 50% of the reimbursable costs, not to exceed $330 per acre. The sponsoring partnership organization must also contribute funds, materials, or labor. Annual cap limits apply to financial agreements.
Financial assistance from this program may not be used on any licensed or commercial hunting preserve. Habitat improvements developed through this program must be maintained as specified in the management plan for a minimum of three years.
N.E. Wetland/Grassland Restoration Program
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited, and the Indiana Division of Fish & Wildlife partner with other conservation organizations and landowners to deliver the N.E. Wetland/Grassland Restoration Program.
The program reimburses landowners up to 100% of the expenses incurred for the restoration of wetlands and the establishment of native grasses.
Qualifying projects must be located in one of the following northern Indiana counties: Elkhart, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, DeKalb, Whitley, Fulton, Marshall, St. Joseph, or Allen.
Urban Wildlife Habitat Cost Share Program
To participate in this program, the project must exist within an identified urban priority habitat area (greater Indianapolis, greater Fort Wayne, South Bend/Mishawaka/Elkhart regions).
The program reimburses a portion of the expenses incurred by an entity for developing urban wildlife habitat as specified in a management plan. Projects must have at least one other partner as a financial contributor. The program will reimburse expenditures for habitat development projects based on DFW habitat development reimbursement rates. Annual cap limits apply to financial agreements.
Habitat improvements developed through this program must be maintained as specified in the management plan for a minimum of three years.
Grasslands for Gamebirds & Songbirds
This is a partnership program designed to develop grassland and pollinator habitat in five focal regions of Indiana.
The objective is to benefit grassland birds such as the Northern bobwhite and loggerhead shrike through the development of quality grassland habitat. This program provides technical assistance, financial cost-share assistance, and incentive payments to landowners.
Managed Hunting
Communities experiencing human/deer conflicts are encouraged to review the information regarding managed hunting. Information includes technical assistance regarding administration of hunting programs in their communities. Information for coordinators is also available. Coordinators can help communities determine the location and time of the hunts, the number of hunters, and hunter eligibility.
Please note, managed hunts through individual communities are NOT the same as reserved or draw hunts.
Indiana DNR Division of Forestry
Classified Forest and Wildlands Program
The Classified Forest and Wildlands Program encourages timber production, watershed protection, and wildlife habitat management on private lands in Indiana. Program landowners receive a property tax reduction in return for following a professionally written management plan. In addition to the tax incentive, landowners receive free technical assistance from DNR foresters and wildlife biologists, priority for cost-share to offset the cost of doing management, and the ability to "green" certify their forests. The minimum requirement for program enrollment is 10 acres of forest, wetland, shrubland, and/or grassland.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Service Agency (FSA)
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) - General Sign-Up Program
This program is a voluntary land-retirement program that enables eligible agricultural lands to be enrolled, during specific sign-up periods, into various conservation cover types that address soil erosion, water quality, and wildlife habitat. The program provides annual payments commensurate with contract length (10 to 15 years) and 50% cost-share for the establishment of the conservation cover and other needed conservation practices.
Common conservation practices might include native grass and forb establishment, hardwood tree planting, or permanent wildlife habitat development.
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) - Continuous Sign-Up Program
This program is a voluntary land-retirement program that enables eligible agricultural lands to be enrolled at any time into buffer practices to address soil erosion and water quality. Many of the practices can also be designed to improve wildlife habitat.
The program provides annual payments in excess of those available through General CRP, and incentive payments and cost-share assistance commensurate with contract length (10 to 15 years) and conservation practice selection. Common conservation practices include filter strips, riparian buffers, habitat buffers for upland birds, or grassed waterways.
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
This program is a voluntary land-retirement program that enables eligible agricultural lands to be enrolled at any time into buffer practices to address soil erosion and water quality in targeted watersheds. The program provides financial assistance and annual payments that exceed those available through Continuous CRP.
This program targets agricultural lands adjacent to watercourses in the following watersheds: Highland-Pigeon, Lower East Fork White, Lower Wabash, Lower White, Middle Wabash-Busseron, Middle Wabash-Deer, Middle Wabash-Little Vermillion, Tippecanoe, Upper East Fork White, Upper Wabash, and Upper White.
Common conservation practices would be similar to those in CRP or Continuous CRP but with an increased financial incentive.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE)
WRE provides technical and financial assistance to eligible landowners for the restoration of wetlands and associated upland habitat. The level of financial assistance is dependent upon the enrollment option selected by the landowner. Easement options range from term easements to permanent easements.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
EQIP provides technical and financial assistance to eligible farmers for establishing conservation practices to benefit wildlife and protect soil and water quality. Assistance is targeted based upon identified natural resource concerns.
EQIP reimburses landowners at a predetermined rate. EQIP provides cost-share assistance but does not provide annual payments to producers.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program
This program provides financial assistance to private landowners through voluntary cooperative agreements for the restoration of wetlands and other habitats of significant importance to federal trust species. Landowners sign an agreement to retain the restoration project for at least 10 years.
Technical Assistance
Have land that you want to manage for wildlife?
Have questions about the Classified Forest and Wildlands Program?
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