WILLMAR - Landowners can generate revenue by allowing public hunting on their private land in 46 Minnesota counties through the Department of Natural Resources Walk-In Access Program.
The sign-up opened Monday and continues through April 27.
According to the DNR, land eligible for the Walk-In Access Program must already be enrolled in an existing conservation program or be on lands with already established high-quality wildlife cover.
Eligible sites must be at least 40 acres in size - sites less than 40 acres may be considered if they are connected to other public land - and accessible by a public road.
Base payment is $10 per acre. An extra $1-per-acre incentive is added to the base payment for each of the following criteria: the site is greater than 140 acres, is within a half-mile of another public hunting area, and/or the landowner opts for a multi-year agreement.
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For information or to enroll land in the program, contact your Soil and Water Conservation District office. The Kandiyohi County Soil and Water Conservation District office can be reached at 320-235-3906 ext. 3. More information about the Walk-In Access Program can also be found at www.dnr.state.mn.us/walkin .
Walk-In Access began in 2011 and has grown to more than 26,700 acres in 2017. The program is currently funded through 2018.
