The number of farmers participating in a state program that pays for crop damage caused by wildlife has declined significantly in recent years because of tighter rules requiring the farmers to open their land to hunters, a state wildlife official said Monday.
In 1999, the Department of Natural Resources paid $1.3 million based on 535 claims for crop damage, said Laine Stowell, a wildlife damage specialist. In 1997, the DNR paid $2.3 million based on 1,070 claims for damage largely caused by deer.
In 1998, tougher requirements were enacted allowing hunter access to land owned by farmers filing damage claims. It also required more documentation that hunters were getting access to the land, Stowell said.
That year, just 470 claims were filed resulting in $1.2 million worth of payments.
“Farmers have questioned whether it was worthwhile to get into the damage program to be subject to hunter access,” Stowell said.
