DNR Land in the middle of private land

[Powerstroke]

The DNR doesn't just "own land" that is landlocked. Ususally the case was the the DNr was sold some land by a private owner in a trust or something and the land around it was eventually sold off to private owners.

The same can happen with county land.

Private companies such as Potlach also own tracts of land that are landlocked. Its just the way that they get them.

Who knows.....maybe the DNR is working on acquiring the rest of the land around its piece.

[Mark Christianson]

If this land is so land locked, why don't the property owners around it utilize this area that is so full of deer?

Any public hunting area that is loaded with deer, is going to receive some sort of pressure.
Although, it could be a one in a million public spot I guess.

[Shwangman]

Why would the DNR buy land, with no entrance into it unless you wanted to walk 8 miles because all the people that own the land that butts up to it says, no to hunters so the land does not get hunted and the deer are thick! I had one officer telling me that he wished us hunters would shoot more deer and I told him, get us in and we would shoot more!

[big drift]

Many purchase for either an investmnet or for a tax writeoff. Had many situations in S. MN by our families w/ folks from out of town buying land and not utilizing it. They would not allow us access even though it is our corn the deer would eat. these are people who do not live on or camp on it. Just a writeoff. This went on for a few years until my uncle sent them, the dnr and county a bill for all the corn they ate. It was eventually sold to another local guy who put it in trust and allowed us access to it.

out west this aso occurs w/ BLM land out there many ranchers purchase the right of ways to BLM land so they can run their cattle unharassed w/ minimal cost. Not saying it is right but that is how they have to do it in some instances.

big drift

[Shwangman]

This land is near Caledonia and for years we always hunted on some land close but never hunted the land because it was always posted until one year the DNR came took all the signs down and put their signs up. I think somebody really wanted to keep the land for themselves. I never seen or heard of these before, I was shocked but, not as shocked as seeing one of the landowners walking around with a 30-06, probably for shooting varmits but, who knows.

[jweitgen]

I was up North hunting this weekend near McGregor. According to the maps we had, there was lots of state land and some of it was land locked by private land that was posted. I think this is a real sad deal. Partly because it is owned by the state and not everyone can get to it and partly because the private parties own maybe 5 acres and essentially have the rights to hundreds.

[smallie_hawgin]

Here's the deal guys. Basically, with land prices as high as they are and the opportunities limited to purchase land (at a reasonable price!), the DNR usually ends up acquiring Tax forfiture land or even has land donated. Sometimes there can be an easement bought to allow access, sometimes there is road right-of-way., other times there is no other option. The thought is, usually it is better to acquire tha land than to have it be developed. In most cases the DNR looks for the "deals" whether or not it has access can be secondary. Other times there may be unique feature worth protecting from development. Just a few thoughts.