I recently received a news flash about the USDA’s decision to release $50 million to help launch “Open Fields” land access programs in the 50 states.

Here’s a FAQ provided by the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. Yes, they’re an advocacy group. But they provide some good basic info here.

This is exciting news.

I’m sure many of you have run into the same frustration that I have at various times: you move to a new area, or you’re just getting into hunting, and you suddenly realized how hard it’s going to be to get access to that field just down the road that’s always full of turkeys, or that plot of woods near home that you’re certain contains a bruiser of a buck. Between finding/identifying all the landowners, contacting them and then convincing them that you’re a respectful citizen who will tread lightly on their property, you’ve got a load of work ahead of you.

Open Fields is meant to make that process a little easier. Landowners, many of whom are dealing with over-populations of deer and other game animals, receive incentives for practicing game management best practices and opening their land for hunting, fishing and other wildlife-oriented recreation.

Landowners get compensation for preserving natural areas.

Outdoors enthusiasts gain access to new land.

Another avenue opens to protect this country’s open spaces.

Sounds like a win-win-win to me.