SALEM, Ore. – Hunters and others with an interest in the outdoors are encouraged to apply for an upcoming hunter representative position opening on the Access and Habitat Board. The application deadline is Oct. 17, 2008.

The Access and Habitat Program is funded by a $2 surcharge on hunting licenses.  Funds raised by the program are distributed through grants to individual and corporate landowners, conservation organizations and others for cooperative wildlife habitat improvement and hunter access projects throughout the state.

The Access and Habitat Board is made up of seven citizen volunteers — three landowner representatives, three hunter representatives and one public-at-large representative — who review and recommend wildlife habitat improvement and hunting access projects for funding to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Board members, who are appointed to four-year terms by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission, meet three or four times each year in various communities throughout the state to review project funding applications, hear public testimony and act as liaisons between the program and the public, and attend to other program business.

Those with an interest and experience in hunting, or in forestry, farming, ranching and wildlife conservation are encouraged to apply. Please contact Heather Thomas at (503) 947-6314 or visit www.dfw.state.or.us/AH and click on ‘Get Involved’ for an application.

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