Oklahoma Wildlife Department plans to provide more hunting, fishing opportunities through new 'walk-in' program

More land for hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing will be available to Oklahoma sportsmen and women beginning Sept. 1.  That's when the Oklahoma Land Access Program begins through the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, a program that pays private landowners to allow public access to their properties for recreational use such as hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing.  Where the properties will be and how many there will be remain to be seen. State wildlife officials have been negotiating with private landowners, but no legal agreements have been finalized. “We have a list of interested landowners,” said Jeff Tibbits, the Wildlife Department's biologist for the Oklahoma Land Access Program. “We have received a lot of interest. We are waiting to sign people up just for the time being.  “We are still meeting with landowners. That is going to wrap up this month. We are meeting with landowners in central Oklahoma, southeast Oklahoma. Those are the two remaining meetings. We are gathering their thoughts and feedback to try and make this program successful for landowners.  “If a property offers good hunting and fishing opportunities, we are interested in it.”