HINES, Ore. — Two Harney County landowners have been awarded a total of $37,583 in grant funds from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Access and Habitat program to open their properties to public hunting access from Aug. 1, 2008 to March 1, 2009.  These properties are:

Jenkins Access Property

The Jenkins Ranch has been awarded a $33,083 grant to keep 13,233 acres of its land open to public hunting access from Aug. 1, 2008 to March 1, 2009. The property is located in the Steens Wildlife Management Unit and offers excellent opportunities to hunt mule deer, pronghorn, and sage grouse. A road on the property will also improve access to 60,000 acres of public lands that are currently inaccessible by vehicle. An additional $2,500 will be used to print and post signs and maps to identify the hunt area boundaries.

Jordan Access Property

Dan Jordan, of Burns, will receive $1,600 to open 640 acres of private lands to public hunting access for mule deer, elk, pronghorn and sage grouse. An additional $400 in grant funds will be used to print signs of the hunt area. The property is located in the Steens Mountain Wildlife Management Area. The landowner maintains a 40-acre public campground at Pate Lake.

For additional information on hunting these areas contact the ODFW Malheur Watershed District Office in Hines at 541-573-6582.

The A&H Program is funded by a $2 surcharge on hunting licenses and revenues from auction and raffle hunts.  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.

For information on the A&H Program call program coordinator Matt Keenan at 503-947-6087 or visit the website at www.dfw.state.or.us/AH/.

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