Fact Sheet
Have Questions? Check out our 2023 fact sheet for a rundown of FWP's Open Fields for Game Bird Hunters program.
Montana has lost a significant amount of CRP in recent years, and more is scheduled to expire in the near future. Conservation-incentive programs like Open Fields are geared to help landowners keep some land enrolled in CRP and to provide public game bird hunting opportunities
Landowners may enroll up to 320 CRP acres per contiguous parcel of land. More than one application may be submitted if landownership parcels are at least ¼-mile apart.
Landowners receive a one-time lease payment of $5.00 per CRP acre (320-acre maximum per contract) for each year that remains in their CRP contract. For example, if 320 acres of CRP are enrolled for 10 years, the landowner receives a one-time payment of $16,000 in return for managing the CRP as outlined below:
NEW OPTIONS: Depending on interest and funding availability, FWP will offer cost-share on ground disturbance (light disking) to help reinvigorate CRP stands.
Landowners reseeding their stand are eligible to receive an additional $5/acre for one year only (up to $1,600.00)
For additional information, please see the Open Fields Fact Sheet (PDF)
To be considered eligible, the following criteria must be met:
Lands not eligible for Open Fields enrollment include the following:
NOTE: CRP currently located on active UGBEP projects, DNRC State Lands, or Block Management Areas may be eligible for other lease options. For more information, contact program staff listed in the Contact tab below.
Open Fields Application (PDF)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks – Wildlife Division
P.O. Box 200701
Helena, MT 59620
Applications must be postmarked no later than April 28, 2023
Matt Strauch: 406-454-5870 or MStrauch@mt.gov
Megan O'Reilly: 406-247-2966 or MOreilly@mt.gov
Ken Plourde: 406-474-2244 or Kenneth.Plourde@mt.gov
Justin Hughes: 406-234-0922 or Justin.Hughes@mt.gov
HQ, Helena
Debbie Hohler: 406-444-5674 or DHohler@mt.gov
Have Questions? Check out our 2023 fact sheet for a rundown of FWP's Open Fields for Game Bird Hunters program.