Habitat Improvement Program

Agriculture and Wildlife on Common Ground Habitat holds the key to the future of upland game and waterfowl in Idaho. Creating and improving habitat is the goal of Idaho Fish and Game's (Department) Habitat Improvement Program (HIP).

HIP applies to both public and private lands but the Department recognizes the vital importance of private lands to Idaho's wildlife, especially to most upland game and many waterfowl populations. The program is designed primarily to help private landowners in their desire to use their property to the benefit of game birds.

The HIP Objective
The HIP objective is to provide technical and financial assistance to private landowners and public land managers who want to enhance upland game bird and waterfowl habitat.

When agriculture was pioneered in Idaho, farm communities wanted to enrich their lands and lives by bringing in non-native game birds, especially pheasant, gray partridge, and quail. Farming and these upland game populations grew up together. Early irrigation systems in arid areas often increased the numbers of native waterfowl as well.

But farming practices changed in the interest of greater efficiency in the last three decades and the quality of upland and waterfowl habitat has declined. Thousands of tracts including hedgerows, fencerows, windbreaks, and odd brushy areas were plowed for crop production. Wetlands that provided nesting for waterfowl and wintering areas for upland birds disappeared. Farmers lined irrigation ditches with concrete or eliminated them altogether with the advent of sprinkler systems. More spring burning and fall plowing also reduced habitat. Fortunately, the interest in creating or enhancing game bird habitat remains strong today and the HIP program can make the difference.

HIP Funding
HIP was previously financed by hunters who purchased an upland game bird or waterfowl stamp between 1987 and 2000. In 2000, the bird hunting stamps were discontinued and a portion of all hunting license dollars were used to finance HIP. This budget is now appropriated from license dollars by the legislature on an annual basis.

2002 HIP Guidelines

Partnership
Funds are available for costsharing on habitat projects by the Department in partnership with private landowners, non-profit organizations, and state and federal agencies.

A simple request to the nearest Department office makes a habitat biologist available to help assess the potential of lands, plan projects and develop habitat for the benefit of wildlife. The HIP team will also help landowners find sources for the seeds and seedlings needed for projects.

Local Department of Fish and Game personnel work closely with landowners in their own areas because the needs of wildlife and the types of vegetation that grow best vary greatly from one part of Idaho to another. Sharing knowledge of local conditions, HIP personnel and landowners can make the most effective use of land and money.

Costsharing
On approved projects, landowners are reimbursed up to 75 percent of out-of-pocket expense with a general limit of $10,000 per project. (Limits and percentages may be different for food plot and wetland projects.) On CRP acres, reimbursement is 37.5 percent of the total seed cost up to $2,000 per project. Exceptions to the limit may be made for projects of unusually high value.

Agreement
All projects are documented in a cooperative agreement and project plan. The agreement usually requires the cooperator to maintain the project for a minimum of 10 years. Food plot agreements run only one or two years. An agreement can be terminated at any time if the cooperator returns all cost-share funds.

Tailoring the HIP Project
Land parcels of all types and sizes offer opportunities to improve bird habitats. The scope of any individual project must, however, be tailored to fit available land, water and needs of local wildlife.

Upland Game Habitat		Waterfowl Habitat
Potential projects for upland game include: establish areas of grasses and legumes for nesting cover; planting farmstead and field windbreaks to provide cover; fencing livestock from woody areas to provide critical winter cover; planting winter food plots near existing winter cover; and establishing water sources.		Potential projects for waterfowl include: erecting nesting structures for geese and wood ducks; planting grasses and legumes for nesting cover; limiting livestock use of existing cover; providing open water spaces in vegitation-choked marshes; creating new wetlands with dikes; and restoring drained wetlands.

HIP Plus
HIP projects often fit well with federal farm programs, increasing benefits to wildlife while reducing the cost to landowners. These federal programs include the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Partners for Wildlife and the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Idaho Department of Fish and Game HIP biologists can assist landowners in applying for funds available from these programs as well as from other federal and state agencies.

Funding may also be available from private conservation groups including Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, and Quail Unlimited.

For more information on financial assistance, HIP Programs for Private Landowners.

Each regional office of the Department of Fish and Game can help with additional information.

Public Hunting
HIP funding for projects on private lands does not carry with it any obligation to allow public access for hunting or other activities. However, a greater priority is placed on projects (and potentially more funding) where some access for hunting is allowed. The Department can provide signs to landowners to help regulate hunting.