It works like a dating service. Deer and turkey hunters, campers, hikers, bikers and bird-watchers are asked to fill out a profile detailing who they are, what they want to do and when they plan to come. AIO then matches those folks with participating landowners. James Raftis, manager of the program, says one reason the program works is that the INDR provides participating landowners with special management services. Also included in the database is a list of services users are willing to provide in exchange for access.
Some folks offer to trade fishing trips with landowners.
The concept was born 15 years ago after the IDNR fielded complaints of deer-related crop depredation in several western counties. Realizing the best way to reduce depredation is to keep deer numbers in balance, the IDNR began exploring ways to increase hunting. Access Illinois Outdoors was the eventual spin-off of those efforts. Launched in 1995, it's proven to be a huge success. The 800-some users entered in the database are happy, the landowners are happy and the local businesses that benefit from increased use of private land are happy.