34 2020 Annual Report
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Wildlife
R E C O R D 1 . 2 M I L L I O N
A C R E S O F L A N D
A C C E S S I B L E T O P U B L I C F O R
H U N T I N G A N D F I S H I N G
Nebraska currently supports more than 1.2 million acres of
publicly-accessible lands, which includes state, federal and
conservation partner lands, as well as private lands enrolled
in the Open Fields and Waters program. Nebraska is more
than 97% privately-owned and increasing access to private
lands through Open Fields and Waters continues to be one
of the agency's primary objectives. Open Fields and Waters
provides financial incentives to private landowners willing
to allow public, walk-in access for hunting, trapping and/or
fishing. The program has grown substantially over the past
several years, with a net gain of nearly 140,000 acres since
2016. Current enrollment totals more than 373,000 acres
statewide for the 2020-21 hunting season – which represents
an all-time high.
GARHETT
ARMSBURY,
OMAHA
MATT
AND
COOPER
LOUGHRAN,
BROKEN
BOW
Upland bird hunting on Open Fields and Waters site in Sheridan
County.
JUSTIN
HAAG,
NEBRASKALAND
MAGAZINE
