Montana Public Access Land Agreements (PALA) (PALA)

PALA pays Montana landowners annually for opening or improving free public hunting/fishing access across their land to isolated (inaccessible or under-accessible) state or federal land. Payment is up to $15,000 per agreement per year, plus negotiated access improvements. Agreements run one to ten years.

• 'private landowners, must be willing to provide public access to either inaccessible public lands or improve access to under-accessible public lands, or both.'

• 'Landowners who wish to enter agreements must also hold the lease for grazing/farming on the public land - if a lease exists.'

• Under-accessible = no legal access point within one mile.

'The agreement will be between private landowners and Fish, Wildlife & Parks for a minimum of one year up to ten-years with payments made annually.'

Published amounts: 'Landowners who enroll parcels, roads or trails in the Public Access Land Agreement program are eligible for an annual payment of up to $15,000 per agreement.' Improvements needed to facilitate access may also be negotiated.

Submit the Application Packet (PDF) by March 15; agreements reviewed by the Private Land/Public Wildlife Advisory Committee.

Deadline text on the page: 'How to apply Deadline: March 15, 2026'