Access Illinois Outdoors A Two Rivers Resource Conservation and Development Project In Cooperation with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity/Bureau of Tourism

A program to match outdoor enthusiasts with private landowners for outdoor recreational experiences n Started in n In Two Rivers RC&D area of: Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Pike, and Schuyler counties. n 52 counties have participating landowners. n Now available to all landowners in Illinois n Opportunities offered include: –hunting –camping –fishing –hiking –nature study –outdoor photography –trail riding

The Purpose n Develop a public access network for landowners and public land users, opening up private land for public use n Strengthen relations and build bridges of cooperation between private landowners and the public. n Increase and enhance outdoor opportunities on private lands for the consumptive and non- consumptive users. n Stimulate local economies n Improve the natural resources.

How does Access Illinois Outdoors Help n Landowners make application to AIO –no sign up fee –AIO takes no control of your property –landowner & guest negotiate fees + dates –Landowners are given contact info on guest –Offered sample lease agreements

FEE HUNTING n Whitetail deer n Turkey n Upland Game Dove, quail, pheasants, rabbit, squirrel, etc. n Waterfowl DucksGeese

Types of Leasing n Daily or Weekly Leases n Seasonal Leases n Annual Leases

Success of Access Illinois Outdoors n AIO presently has 560 landowners registered with the program n Representing 250,000+ acres n Over 3000 members registered since 1994 n Memberships are from 39 different states

AIO Landowner Facts n Enrolled for extra income n 75% have less than 500 acres enrolled n 60% also hunt the property n 53% preferred Access Visitors n 88% of the land is farmed

AIO Visitor Facts n Visitors pay a $25 annual membership fee to AIO n The majority enroll to hunt private property n 33% from Illinois, 17% Pennsylvania, remaining 50% from 37 other states n Average visitor stayed 1-7 days n Pays landowner $700 to $1500 per stay n 30% visit more than once n Many return to the same landowner year after year n Average age 43 n Median income $45,000

Access Food Two fold purpose: 1. Help control the deer population 2. Supply much needed meat to food pantries.

Handicapped Hunts n Another program weve been able to expand on is handicapped hunts n Why Not Now at Camp Big Sky bigsky.org/

Youth Hunts n AIO landowners provide hunting opportunities at no cost during the IDNR scheduled Youth Hunt weekends. n Young Gun – Outdoor Mentoring Program

Promotional Tours n Christmas Lodge Tour

Promotional Tours n Winery Tour

Promotional Tours History Tour n New Philadelphia Site n Lincoln Homes n Civil War Re- enactment

National Media n Petersons Hunting Annual Issue n Whitetail Unlimited National Magazine n North American Whitetail n American Hunter n Realtree website n New York Times n American Hunter n Outdoors South – Fox TV Network n Mens Outdoor Recreation TV Channel

Funding Sources n IDNR n USDA Rural Development n U. S. Forest Service n IDOA AgriFIRST n IL DCEO, Bureau of Tourism n Corporate Sponsors

For More Information: Contact: Access Illinois Outdoors Website: Website: n IDNR at n QDMA website: n IL Bureau of Tourism:

Time for Questions THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION