Minnesota: Landowners have until Aug. 12 to enroll land for Walk In Access

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Landowners in 21 southwestern Minnesota counties have until Friday, Aug. 12, to sign up at their local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) office for a new Walk In Access program that pays landowners who allow hunters to access their land.

So far, 7,700 acres have been enrolled. To be eligible, landowners must enroll a minimum of 40 acres that is currently enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program, Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, Reinvest In Minnesota or Wetlands Reserve Program. Landowners receive $10-$13 per acre.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) works with the Board of Water and Soil Resources to administer the program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Voluntary Public Access Program. 

USDA’s Farm Service Agency approved the DNR’s 2010 proposal for a three-year pilot program and awarded Minnesota $2.7 million that can be used enroll up to 50,000 acres.

Lincoln, Lac qui Parle and Murray counties already have enrolled more than 1,000 acres. Stevens, Kandiyohi and Redwood counties each have enrolled more than 600 acres. Other counties eligible to enroll land are Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Lyon, Martin, Nobles, Pipestone, Pope, Renville, Rock , Swift, Watonwan and Yellow Medicine. 

The Walk In Access program is entirely voluntary for landowners. Enrolled lands are covered under the Minnesota recreational use laws that limit landowners’ liability. DNR conservation officers handle trespass and hunting violations.

Only walk-in hunting traffic is allowed on enrolled acres, which are not open to trapping, trap shooting, dog training or activities other than hunting. No vehicle traffic is allowed. Parking is along roads or in designated parking areas. 

Landowners who enroll 160 or more acres receive a bonus. Bonuses also are paid if the land is within one-half mile of other public hunting land, such as a wildlife management area or waterfowl production area. Landowners who sign multi-year contracts also are eligible for bonuses.