Indiana Private Lands Access Program

Indiana Private Lands Access Program (IPLA – formerly known as APPLE) offers financial incentives to landowners who allow controlled public access hunting on their private lands. Wildlife biologists will also work with landowners to establish and improve habitat.

Public hunting opportunities are limited. The program's focus is on providing quality hunting opportunities on private lands across Indiana. 

Program details for:

• Landowners

  Habitat

  • Eligible landowners who enroll into the program will work with a wildlife biologist to develop a management plan.
  • The plan will be used to maintain eligibility in the program.
  • The developed management plan will address landowner and program objectives for the desired species on each tract.
  • Landowners will receive an incentive payment for each activity and season they allow public access for hunting activities (see payment schedule below).
  • Landowners will be eligible for cost share monies to improve or maintain targeted habitats on their property as specified in the management plan.

  Liability

  • Each successfully drawn hunter is required to sign a liability waiver before participating in an IPLA hunt.
  • Liability for all activities on IPLA tracts of land is covered under the state of Indiana Agrotourism Law (IC 34-31-9).

  Additional information

  • Either the landowner or DNR may withdraw from the program at any time during the year with a 60-day written notice.
  • Program contracts are one year in length.
  • All hunting access is reserved solely for successfully drawn participants during the reserved dates for any tract.
  • Participating landowners can still hunt their tract for species other than those targeted by their specific agreement.
  • Landowners will forego hunting access for target species until after the last reserved hunt date has passed.
  • Payments to landowners will be processed when the hunt(s) have been completed.
  • IPLA signs will be placed at designated parking areas and any undefined boundaries will be clearly marked by the landowner.

  Incentive annual payments

  Gamebirds (ring-necked pheasant, Northern bobwhite, woodcock): Up to $25 an acre
  
  Turkey: Up to $16 an acre 

  Waterfowl: Up to $40 an acre

  Deer: Up to $10 an acre ($35 an acre in urban/suburban areas)
  
  Comprehensive Access: Up to $150 an acre

  • Comprehensive requires hunting access for 3 or more species. Contact a biologist for more information about all hunt types.  

  Additional Details:

  • Landowner can enroll as many acres as they wish, including agricultural fields in some situations. Large lakes, ponds, lawns, or other obvious “non-huntable” areas will be subtracted from total acres.
• Hunters
  • All hunters wishing to hunt on an IPLA-enrolled property must have been drawn through the online reserved hunt system.
  • All hunters must have an IPLA permit/ID number, which they will receive through the online reserved hunt system.
  • A limited number of individuals will be allowed to access the property on any given day. All hunters will be restricted to foot traffic only and non-motorized watercraft.
  • All hunters must follow all laws and obtain all necessary permits and licenses as outlined in the Indiana Hunting & Trapping Guide.
  • For hunting access, a hunter must apply for a specific date range and region in which they would like to hunt. Maximum 1 hunting choice per applicant per year.
  • Hunter applicants may be placed into an IPLA lottery to determine which hunt site that they will be able to access.
  • Successful hunters will be notified approx. 3-4 weeks prior to the start of their requested hunt date.
  • Space is limited. Not all applicants will be successful in applying/reserving a site for IPLA activities.
  • All hunters will need to complete and return their permit.
  • Successfully drawn hunters may bring partners to hunt with them.  The number of partners allowed varies by species hunted.

  Reserved IPLA Hunt Logistics

  • Biologist will work with landowner to determine appropriate number of hunt opportunities on each tract. 
  • Each area enrolled in the program will be easily identifiable and posted by DNR personnel.
  • Each tract must provide access to a parking spot or designated parking location.
  • Unavoidable or time sensitive activities such as farming practices can be conducted by the landowner, or tenant, when necessary.   
  • Hunters are permitted access to the IPLA tract during their hunt window only. They may not access the tract at any time before or after their hunt window.  

For landowners interested in enrolling property or learning more about IPLA program details, contact your district or GGS biologist.

For hunters interested in applying for open IPLA hunts, visit: on.IN.gov/reservedhunt