Frequently Asked Questions

• General Program
• VPA Users
• Landowners

General Program

1. What is the Voluntary Public Access (VPA) program?
   • The Voluntary Public Access (VPA) program provides financial incentives to private landowners who open their properties to public access. The U.S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA–NRCS) provides most funding for the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) via a federal grant. The Turkey Hunting Access Program (THAP) falls under the VPA umbrella and is only open for spring turkey hunting and scouting.
2. What is the Habitat Incentive Program (HIP)?
   • These are additional incentives to adopt a specified set of U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA–NRCS) habitat practices on public access lands, such as contour buffer strips, wildlife shrub establishment, prescribed burning, and more. These practices increase the value of enrolled private lands for wildlife and recreators.
3. What activities are allowed on public access properties?
   • Hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife observation are the only allowed activities on VPA properties. Additionally, lands enrolled in Turkey Hunting Access Program (THAP) are only open from March 1 through May 29 for only spring turkey hunting and scouting.
4. What lands are eligible to enroll?
   • Priority is given to properties greater than 40 acres with at least 25% usable cover and located near existing public hunting or fishing grounds. Grassland, wetland, forestland, and in some cases agriculture land are eligible land types for enrollment into VPA. Land enrolled in other conservation programs such as CRP, WRP, or MFL (closed) may also be eligible for enrollment.
5. Does the public have to ask permission from the landowner to hunt on enrolled THAP lands?
   • Users do not have to ask permission for access from the landowner. By enrolling in the program, the landowner agrees to open the property to public access. Only access areas posted with public access signs. Know the field boundaries, and do not trespass on the surrounding private land. Contact the VPA Program Coordinator at (608) 800-1343 or DNRVPALands@wisconsin.gov if you have any questions.

VPA Users

1. Where can I find public access properties open to public access?
   • Visit our VPA webpage. Navigate to the Maps section to find properties by interactive map or county.
2. Should I contact the landowner to ask permission before accessing a public access property?
   • No, do not contact landowners of public access properties asking for permission to access. By enrolling in the program, the landowner agrees to open the property to public access. Only access areas posted with VPA signs; know the field boundaries and do not trespass on the surrounding private land. Contact the VPA Program Coordinator at (608) 800-1343 or DNRVPALands@wisconsin.gov if you have any questions.
3. Can I put up a tree stand or blind on public access properties?
   • Portable structures are acceptable if they don’t damage trees and are removed at the end of each day. As a courtesy to landowners, please do not leave structures up overnight. Be aware that landowners may provide permission to family and friends to erect stands or blinds; a permanent stand may not necessarily be illegal.
4. Can I put up a wildlife camera on public access properties?
   • Wildlife cameras or trail cameras are categorized as portable structures and are acceptable if they don’t damage property and are removed at the end of each day.
5. Is ATV or vehicle access/travel allowed on public access properties?
   • Access and travel are limited to pedestrian traffic only. That means no snowmobiles, ATVs, motorbikes, bicycles, or horses. Landowners may contact law enforcement for such vehicular trespass.
6. Can I walk or train my dog or ride horses on public access properties?
   • No. Horses are not allowed on public access properties. Dogs are not allowed on public access lands unless they are used for hunting purposes, which does not include dog training. Dog walking is not allowed unless expressly allowed by landowners.
7. Is baiting allowed on public access properties?
   • No. To ensure long-term enrollment and satisfaction by our landowners, DNR staff require that nothing be left on the property overnight. Pack it in? Pack it out.
8. Can I harvest wild edibles (berries, mushrooms, plants) or shed antlers on public access properties?
   • No. Harvesting wild edibles or shed antlers is not an allowed activity on public access properties.
9. Where do I park my vehicle when using public access properties?
   1. Park wisely on the shoulder of a public road or in a designated parking area. As courtesy to landowners, do not park in private driveways. Please do not block access to farm fields or pastures.
10. Am I required to use non toxic shot during the dove season on public access properties?
    • On lands specifically managed by the WI-DNR for doves (sunflower plots, etc.), all hunters using the property are required to use nontoxic shot. On any lands not specifically managed for doves where hunters are opportunistically shooting doves, using nontoxic shot is not required.
11. Can I camp or make a camp fire on a VPA property?
    • No, camping and campfires are not allowed on public access properties. A landowner can call local law enforcement if users do not adhere to this rule.
12. Are there restrictions on shooting near buildings, homes, schools and hospitals?
    • Yes, maintain a distance of 100 yards (300 ft) from buildings and homes. For schools and hospitals, maintain a distance of 570 yards (1700 ft). The landowner can call local law enforcement if users do not adhere to this rule.
13. As a user, do I need a public access or private lands antlerless tag for deer hunting on VPA properties?
    • Private lands open to public hunting that are enrolled in the Managed Forest Law, Forest Crop Law or Voluntary Public Access programs are considered public lands for the purpose of deer hunting and where antlerless tags are valid.
14. Where can I find public access properties open to public access?
    • Visit our VPA webpage. Use the Interactive Map or use the County Listing webpage to find a VPA property. You can also access the Public Access Lands Interactive Map on your desktop or mobile device.

Landowners

1. How long are VPA lease agreements?
   • Lease agreement lengths are flexible, but multiyear lease agreements are prioritized.
2. What are the payment rates for VPA?
   • Annual lease rates are determined by land cover:  
     • Agriculture Land: $4-7.5/acre
     • Grassland/Wetland: $15/acre
     • Forest land: $20/acre
     • High quality Grassland/Wetland + habitat enhancement program: $25/acre
   • An up front, lump sum payment will be made within 60 days of signing a lease agreement.
3. How do I enroll in VPA?
   • Contact your local Public Access Liaison (see our Service Area Map) or contact the statewide Voluntary Public Access Program coordinator at 608-800-1343 for more information. We are not currently enrolling new properties. Register your interest using the online form.
4. Do I have to enroll my entire property?
   • No, you can choose the amount of land you enroll.
5. What am I liable for if I enroll public access lands?
   • Wisconsin Statutes 895.52 provides liability protection for landowners from injury or death of individuals occurring during participation in outdoor recreational activities on their land.
6. Can I get a tax break for enrolling public access lands?
   • No, participants do not receive tax breaks for enrolling public access land. Landowners are responsible for income tax related to their public access payment.
7. Does the public have to ask permission from the landowner to recreate on enrolled lands?
   • No, users are not required to ask permission of the landowner. By enrolling in the program, the landowner agrees to open the property to public access.
8. Can I restrict the number of hunters, activities, or species hunted on lands I enroll?
   • No. As with state wildlife areas, there are no restrictions on the number of hunters on a public access property at any given time. Allowed activities must be open to all users during open seasons.
9. As a landowner, am I restricted from activities I can conduct on my land?
   • While users are restricted to allowed activities and non-motorized transportation, landowner activities are not restricted. As a landowner, you may:
     • have a permanent tree stand
     • operate ATVs
     • ride horses
     • walk and/or train your dogs
   • We do ask that you refrain from altering the cover type on enrolled land while your lease is active (e.g., converting forest to cropland).
   • Please call local law enforcement for issues of vehicle trespass or nuisance property, as public users may not install permanent tree stands or use ATVs on public access properties.
10. As a landowner, do I need a public access or private lands antlerless tag for deer hunting on my enrolled land?
    • Private lands open to public hunting that are enrolled in the Managed Forest Law, Forest Crop Law or Voluntary Public Access programs are considered public lands for the purpose of deer hunting and where antlerless tags are valid.
11. What if my crops or property enrolled in public access are damaged by a user?
    1. The DNR agrees to pay for damages that occur on enrolled lands as a result of opening them to public access. The landowner must provide a written notice and a law enforcement report within 10 days of the incident.
12. Can I terminate my lease if I no longer want to participate in the program?
    • Yes, you can terminate your lease agreement by providing a 60-day written notice to the DNR. You will not be able to terminate your lease during the spring turkey and fall deer hunting seasons. A prorated refund to the DNR will be required for the remaining days on the lease.
13. What happens to the lease if I sell the property?
    • The lease remains with the property. The seller will need to address this with the new landowner prior to closing. Leases with payments over $5,000 are recorded with the register of deeds in the county in which the property is located. Landowners are encouraged to notify the DNR prior to a closing sale on lands leased for public access.