Minnesota’s Walk-in Access Hunting Program Grows

Anyone who is hunting in Minnesota this upcoming fall will be pleased to hear that the recently developed walk-in access program will be growing nearly 55 percent larger than last year. Around 14,000 acres have been enrolled this year, which adds to the already-enrolled 9,000 acres.

The state has received some funding for the program, but as of now the program will only be able to last through 2014. The Minnesota Department of Natural resources will have to find additional funding in order to continue the program after 2014. The Minnesota Legislature rejected a proposal by the DNR to apply a usage fee for the walk-in areas (similar to state park usage). “We’re pretty pleased, but we’ll have to find other ways to fund this,” said Marybeth Block, Department of Natural Resources program coordinator.

The program is offered primarily in the southwestern area of the state. Numerous landowners throughout 21 counties have participated in the program. The landowners are paid a per-acre fee for allowing public hunting on their property. Any legal game is pursuable on the properties, but pheasants tend to be the primary target for most hunters.

The program was given $2.7 million over the first three years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s farm bill. Congress decided to cut the third year’s budget, so the budget dropped to $1.5 million. In order to keep the program going after the $1.5 million is spent, the Minnesota Legislature transferred $616,000 from the venison donation program. This transfer resulted in an additional $5 cost to the nonresident hunting license walk-in program fee.

The income for venison donation program has gone beyond its expenses, so the program will be able to comfortably transfer budget money to the walk-in program.

Another way that the program will be funded is through donations by the people. When hunters buy their small game or deer hunting license they will be asked if they want to donate $1, $3 or $5 to the walk-in program. This is similar to what they have done in the past for the venison program. In 2011, hunters donated a total of around $19,000. Officials hope that hunters will be willing to donate to the walk-in access program to help create a successful, long-term program.

Justin Morrissey

Nearly 100% of my free-time has been spent doing what I love to do: be outdoors. I have been said to be addicted and obsessed with hunting, fishing, and camping, so I have joined the Outdoor Hub team to write about these topics. I grew up in West-central Wisconsin in St.Croix county and was taught how to hunt and fish by my Dad, Albert. My brother, Josh, is just like me and together we learned through countless experiences of what is right and wrong while practicing hunting and fishing. Over the years I have found more and more success while doing these traditional sports, and now I can't say I'd rather be doing anything else.

I am a college student at the University of Wisconsin River Falls. I am majoring in marketing communications and minoring in field biology. I have been a pro-staffer of Huntinglife.com and I recommend everyone to check it out. In 2010 I joined the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) to expand my knowleadge of the outdoor industry and meet some incredible people. That same year my brother, Josh, and I were chosen to compete on the TV show Battle of the Bow that aired on the Sportsman Channel. Moving on from that incedible year I found great opportunity with POMA to be an intern. Working with POMA, I have been to SHOT show and worked with some great companies like Bowtech, Walker's S.O.S, Outdoor Hub, and more.

I love filming hunts and doing outdoor photography. I have found great success behind and in front of the camera. I have harvested some amazing whitetails with my bow and gun. My biggest is a B&C 175 3/8" that I shot with my shotgun in 2010.

That is a little about me, please enjoy my articles and best of luck in the woods!