Private Lands Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program

The Private Lands Wildlife Habitat Improvement Program is designed to help private landowners develop, preserve, restore and manage wildlife habitat on their land. To improve wildlife habitat, the Department will enter into 10-year contracts with interested landowners to help fund approved projects.

The primary wildlife species targeted by this habitat improvement effort are deer, turkey, pheasant, dove, quail and waterfowl. 

Applications will be accepted from Jan. 1 to June 1 annually. The applicant's objectives must address one or more of the above primary species and the activities involved must meet program objectives to qualify. Types of acceptable objectives, along with a general description, include:

1.) Habitat protection: primarily excludes or controls those things which damage and destroy existing wildlife habitat, such as domestic animals, vehicles, etc., and involves fencing, restricting traffic and limiting grazing and other habitat damaging activities.

2.) Habitat improvement (development): involves planting trees, shrubs, grasses, legumes, forbs. Differs from habitat protection in that it either establishes new habitat or bolsters existing habitat.

3.) Habitat improvement (watering facilities): involves any water development such as ponds, windmills, solar pumps, ground level concrete pit ponds, guzzlers, etc., so long as they are primarily designed to benefit wildlife. 

4.) Timber management: May involve any of the above mentioned projects, but is geared toward such timber management practices as creating and maintaining small openings, thinnings and timber stand improvements.

5.) Wetland enhancement: Primary objectives include protecting, enhancing, restoring and developing wetland habitat primarily to benefit waterfowl, but also for other migratory birds and wetland wildlife. Approved activities might include constructing dikes, levees or berms to impound and control seasonal availability of water; installing water control structures such as flashboard risers, screw gates, etc., for manipulating wetland water levels; fencing wetland watersheds from livestock to protect water quality; managing wetland plant communities for waterfowl food and cover; developing waterfowl food resources through plantings and moist soil management; and developing waterfowl nesting habitat and placing artificial nesting structures for wood ducks and Canada geese. Additional wetland management activities providing long-term benefits may be approved on a case by case basis.

NOTE: In addition, several short-term management activities that don't meet the program's 10-year maintenance contract obligations but which landowners are encouraged to do in conjunction with the longer-term activities include disking, habitat (food) plots, prescribed burning, controlled grazing, etc. 
The Wildlife Department will share the cost of the habitat improvement with qualifying landowners/leasees for up to 75 percent but not to exceed $5,000 per landowner. In exchange, the landowner/leasee agrees to maintain the habitat for a period of 10 years. In addition to cash payment, a landowner's/lessee's labor and use of equipment and materials may be considered as a part or all of his or her share. A participant's share, plus the Department's share, may be matched with other cost-share conservation programs sponsored by other agencies. The participant also agrees to allow a representative of the Wildlife Department to inspect and evaluate the development(s) at any time during the period. Participants who do not maintain the development(s) will be required to refund to the Wildlife Department all funds awarded in the agreement.

How to apply:

1. Contact Game Division in writing at 1801 N. Lincoln, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, or by phone at (405) 521-2739, and request an application.

2. Complete and return the application. Include a map and describe your objectives as completely as possible.

A Game Division biologist will contact applicants to discuss the application, how program objectives can be met and to schedule an on-site evaluation. Then, if the site is suitable, the biologist will work with the participant to develop a Wildlife Habitat Improvement Plan. The plan will specify the project(s) to be completed, along with a time frame for completion and an estimate of total costs.
After the plan is submitted and approved, a contract between the applicant and the Wildlife Department will be signed specifying the obligations of each during the 10-year period covered by the agreement. Participants will be reimbursed for the approved costs (plus or minus 10 percent, based on actual costs) within 60 days of receipt of the reimbursement form.