By Kris Vance, Indiana NRCS State Public Affairs Specialist

For Jesse Denson, the Indiana Private Lands Access (IPLA) Program has meant more than just a chance to hunt, it’s been a way to reconnect with his past and forge new traditions with his children. 

“Having access to private hunting land is huge,” Denson says. “My relatives had a piece of land when I was growing up and I knew every inch of it. After I moved my family out of state for work, the parcel was sold, and it felt like I lost part of my history. But when I’m out there with my kids on IPLA land, telling them stories about our old hunting camp, it’s like I get that land back, even if just for a little while.”

This connection to land and legacy is exactly what the IPLA Program was designed to support. Funded primarily through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Voluntary Public Access - Habitat Incentives Program (VPA-HIP) program and administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ (IDNR) Division of Fish and Wildlife, IPLA has become a valuable tool for expanding recreational access without requiring additional public land purchases. At the heart of the program, IPLA provides hunting access on private lands by incentivizing landowners to allow recreational access to their property. Throughout the year, IDNR offers reserve draws on these parcels of land for different hunting opportunities like deer, turkey, waterfowl, small game and game bird.

As Josh Griffin, Farm Bill Coordinator with IDNR, explains “Lack of access is a limiting factor for hunters. We’re working to bridge that gap by connecting willing landowners with respectful outdoor enthusiasts.”

But, connecting the dots between people who are interested in recreational access and the people who own the land is often difficult. “This program allows us to act as a liaison by providing some rules, protections and security for the landowner,” Griffin notes. “It’s a win-win.  Landowners who may not hunt themselves are financially incentivized and hunters gain opportunities they might not have otherwise.”

That spirit of cooperation is reinforced by how the program is structured. Landowners can choose how much land to lease, for which species and for how long. Some may open only a small portion of land for a specific hunt, while others offer larger tracts for multiple seasons. “We work hard to avoid properties that are currently being hunted,” Griffin emphasizes. “It’s about adding opportunities, not taking them away.”

The flexibility of the program has paid off. According to Trevor Laureys, Assistant Director of IDNR’s Private Lands Office, there are currently 252 active landowner contracts totaling about 32,000 acres. That’s significant to the hunting community, especially in a state where 21 counties have no access to public hunting acres and 12 counties have less than 500 acres of access.

Beyond access, the program also promotes conservation. To be eligible for IPLA, properties must meet a minimum habitat quality threshold to support the species being hunted. IDNR seeks tracts that meet their threshold or that can be easily converted to it. IDNR’s habitat teams ensure the land has adequate food plots, early successional habitat and diverse vegetation to benefit the targeted wildlife species.

“We’re not just leasing land for the sake of it,” says Griffin. “We’re improving and maintaining early successional habitats, food plots and biodiversity to support wildlife long-term.”

Annual surveys show that the landowners appreciate this conservation ethic. “I’ve talked with landowners who explained how the program works for them, and they seemed genuinely happy to be part of it,” said Denson.

And so are the hunters. According to IDNR’s recent survey, 100% of participating landowners and 82% of hunters rate their IPLA experience as very or extremely satisfying. 

“In today’s world, getting 100% approval on anything is almost unheard of,” Griffin said with a smile. “But this program manages to do it.”

Denson’s stories prove just how meaningful these experiences can be. From witnessing his youngest tag his first turkey to watching his oldest army crawl across a water-covered corn field to the get the largest bird in the family to date, the memories made through IPLA go far beyond just filling tags. 

“I have been fortunate enough to be drawn for multiple species on different properties throughout the state over the years which have resulted in countless memories with my family,” Denson reflects. “I can’t speak highly enough about the program.”

For IDNR, the hope is that IPLA continues well into the future and eventually expands. “We’ve explored incorporating fishing, bird watching and other outdoor recreation,” Griffin says. “The program’s future really depends on funding, including if VPA-HIP will be included in the new Farm Bill, but we’re committed to making this program sustainable.”

In a state where most land is privately owned and outdoor traditions risk fading with each passing generation, IPLA offers something rare: access, respect, conservation and connection. Or as Denson puts it, “If we treat the land and each other right, this program will build a better future for the sport and for the next generation.”