Walk-In Access Enrollment Deadline Extended

[Rick]

WORTHINGTON, MN - Landowners have an extra two weeks to enroll in the Walk-In Access program, as the deadline has been extended to June 14, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said.

“We extended our enrollment period to coincide with the deadline for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general sign-up,” said Marybeth Block, Walk-In Access coordinator. “The programs work well together for landowners and for wildlife.”

The Walk-In Access program pays landowners in 35 western Minnesota counties to allow public hunting on their private land. The program targets privately owned parcels of 40 acres or more, which are enrolled in a conservation program such as CRP or Reinvest In Minnesota. River bottoms, wetlands and other high quality habitat can also be considered for the program.

“The Walk-In Access program guarantees extra revenue on land that is difficult or impossible to farm,” Block said. “It rewards landowners who are willing to let the public hunt on their high quality habitat.”

Landowners can contact their local soil and water conservation district office for program details and enrollments. The program goal is to enroll 25,000 acres for 2013.

Walk-In Access land is open for public hunting only, from Sept. 1 to May 31 each year. 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.

Locations of parcels enrolled for 2013 will be on the DNR website in August. More information on the program can be found at www.mndnr.gov/walkin.