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A June 1 deadline is in place for landowners in 21 southwestern
Minnesota counties to earn money by allowing public hunting on their
private land through the Walk-In Access (WIA) program, according to the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Privately owned parcels of 40 acres or more, which are already enrolled in a conservation program such as Conservation Reserve Program or Reinvest In Minnesota, may qualify for WIA. River bottoms, wetlands and other high quality habitat will also be considered for the program.
WIA pays landowners by the acre to allow hunting access. Bonuses are added if more than 140 contiguous acres are enrolled, if the land is within one-half mile of existing state or federal hunting land, or if a multi-year agreement is signed. Local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) offices are handling program details and enrollments.
This is a voluntary program for landowners. Recreational use laws provide extra liability protection for WIA acres.
WIA land is for public hunting only. No target practice, trapping, dog training, camping, horseback riding or fires are allowed. Enrolled acres are for walk-in traffic only; no vehicles are allowed on conservation land. Parking is along roads or in designated parking areas. DNR conservation officers will address trespass and hunting violations.
Once private land is enrolled in the program, bright yellow-green hexagon signs are placed at the property boundaries.
A map of the 21 counties involved in the program and more information on WIA can be found online or by calling Marybeth Block, DNR Walk-in Access coordinator, at 651-259-5223.
Locations of parcels enrolled for 2012 will be on the website in August. WIA is a partnership between the DNR, SWCD, Board of Soil and Water Resources (BWSR) and U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is funding the first two years of the program.
Privately owned parcels of 40 acres or more, which are already enrolled in a conservation program such as Conservation Reserve Program or Reinvest In Minnesota, may qualify for WIA. River bottoms, wetlands and other high quality habitat will also be considered for the program.
WIA pays landowners by the acre to allow hunting access. Bonuses are added if more than 140 contiguous acres are enrolled, if the land is within one-half mile of existing state or federal hunting land, or if a multi-year agreement is signed. Local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) offices are handling program details and enrollments.
This is a voluntary program for landowners. Recreational use laws provide extra liability protection for WIA acres.
WIA land is for public hunting only. No target practice, trapping, dog training, camping, horseback riding or fires are allowed. Enrolled acres are for walk-in traffic only; no vehicles are allowed on conservation land. Parking is along roads or in designated parking areas. DNR conservation officers will address trespass and hunting violations.
Once private land is enrolled in the program, bright yellow-green hexagon signs are placed at the property boundaries.
A map of the 21 counties involved in the program and more information on WIA can be found online or by calling Marybeth Block, DNR Walk-in Access coordinator, at 651-259-5223.
Locations of parcels enrolled for 2012 will be on the website in August. WIA is a partnership between the DNR, SWCD, Board of Soil and Water Resources (BWSR) and U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is funding the first two years of the program.
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