This committee will review and recommend policy and program options to increase the ability of the public to access private lands for hunting and fishing as well as for other recreational opportunities.  Great challenges face the state on this issue, from urbanization and rising land prices to the economics of the hunting industry to legal and liability issues.  This committee will also review and recommend policy and program options for Illinois Department of Natural Resources hunting and fishing programs including deer, waterfowl, upland game, trapping and others.

Report of this committee, with recommendations to be presented and considered at Conservation Congress, now available:

Access to Private Lands EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Access to Private Lands FULL REPORT

Committee Members
Larry Lucas, Co-Chair
Pat Kernan, Co-Chair

Staff
John Buhnerkempe, 217-785-2511

Committee Meeting Dates
Thursday, August 27, 2009 from 5p-8p at the IDNR Headquarters, Springfield IL
Thursday, September 10, 2009 from 5p-8p at South Side Boat Club, 640 S. Front Street, Quincy, IL
Wednesday, October 14, 2009, from 5pm-8pm at IDNR Region 2 Headquarters, 2050 W. Stearns Road, Bartlett IL

Committee Meeting Minutes

Committee Meeting Minutes August 27, 2009

Committee Meeting Minutes September 10, 2009

Committee Meeting Minutes October 14, 2009

Committee Resources (Presentations, Reports, etc.)

1. Committee Charge
2. Public Access Committee Agenda - August 27, 2009
3. Eastern State Private Land Hunting Programs Chart
4. Western Private Land Hunting Programs
5. A private land access program for IL
6. Hunter Access to Private Lands in Illinois Executive Summary
7. Private Land Access Information 5-item history
8. 2009 Access to Hunting Land in Illinois Survey Results Summary
9. Results of studies of Illinois hunters, landowners, and participants in Access Illinois 2002
10. Summary of Hunter and Landowner Survey relevant to Public Access to Private Land
11. Recreational Liability powerpoint - presented by Lenore Beyer-Clow, Openlands
12. Restore Liability Protection for Outdoor Recreation newsletter - presented by Lenore Beyer-Clow, Openlands
13. Acres Hunted on IDNR Owned or Managed Properties - 2008-09 Hunting Season
    
14. Agenda - October 14, 2009
15. Access Illinois Outdoors powerpoint presentation by Brenda Middendorf - Oct. 14, 2009