Walk-In Access
The State of MN has received federal funding to compensate landowners to open their habitat acres to public hunting. This is a cooperative effort by the MN Board of Water & Soil Resources (BWSR), Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Pheasants Forever (PF) and Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD). Here are some of the highlights of this voluntary program:
-
Targeted at lands already enrolled in federal or state conservation programs like CRP, CREP, RIM, WRP
-
Minimum size of 40 acres, with a bonus payment for more than 160 acre
-
Access during all open hunting seasons
-
DNR Conservation Officers responsible for any enforcement action
-
Landowner payments range from $10-$13/ac. based on size and duration of enrollment
-
Signage to mark property boundaries is provided by the program
The Walk-In Access (WIA) program is limited to a 47 county area in southwestern Minnesota. The Walk in Access program began in 2011 and has grown from 10,000 acres to 27,000 acres. There are approximately 3,400 acres in the Walk-in Access program in Lincoln County. Landowners interested in this program should contact 507-694-1630.
Resources:
