The California Department of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) has a program of opportunity to benefit people who own or manage lands adjacent to fishable waters, and additionally benefit people who want enhanced fishing opportunities

The program is Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement. Please see Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) (ca.gov)

Our DFW has another program to recruit, retain and reactivate anglers. It is referred to as R3 and is clear evidence that the state recognizes the massive financial, recreational and family unit building value of recreational fishing.

The SHARE program will help advance the value and values of families, friends and colleagues fishing together.

The benefits for anglers are easy enough to understand. They gain access to fishing opportunities on partnering private lands where they have previously been unable to fish.

Along with benefits come responsibilities, so anglers must keep the lands and waters clean as if they hadn’t been there at all. That is being respectful to participating landowners and managers.

Benefits for landowners are numerous; they:
·  Receive financial compensation and, more importantly, they have complete liability coverage for every day that access is allowed.
·  Determine the number of anglers, and method of catch (e.g. lures only, or catch and release, etc.).
·  Gain access to fisheries and wildlife specialists for support with fishery enhancements or habitat improvement. For many landowners or managers, the potential benefits of this are huge.
·  Create connections with people and give appreciative folks opportunities that make them happy. These are important intangibles.

The SHARE program isn’t only about fishing opportunities. The DFW also has arrangements with landowners for hunting.

Much of California has a problem with wild pigs and other critters, and this is a well-recognized method for landowners to get some help with this growing problem.

Wildlife management is done with the goal of sustainability, which creates opportunities for licensed hunting of game including deer and elk, turkey and others.

A number of our large ranches and smaller properties realize benefits from partnering up with the DFW to allow controlled hunting on their properties.

Landowners and managers can connect with the DFW by contacting Victoria Barr at victoria.barr@wildlife.ca.gov.

People interested in fishing and hunting opportunities of private lands can begin by visiting the DFG website.

A good place to start is Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) (ca.gov), then you can click links and find what you want.