Minnesota Mixed Bag: Landowner enrollment begins for walk-in access program

St. Paul — Enrollment is open for Minnesota’s 2025 Walk-In Access program, which pays private landowners to allow public access.

Since 2011, the Walk-In Access program has enrolled parcels of 40 acres or larger with high-quality natural cover. These parcels are usually enrolled in conservation programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program or Reinvest in Minnesota. For enrolling in the program, landowners can receive $18 per acre.

The DNR partners with select soil and water conservation districts across the state to assist landowners in enrolling parcels into WIA. The participating counties and their contact information are listed on the Minnesota DNR’s website.

The program is primarily funded through the Voluntary Public Access-Habitat Incentive Program grant offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. Additional funding sources include a $5 surcharge on all nonresident hunting licenses, Walk-In Access validations ($3), and donations made by individuals.

Landowners may sign up for the program at their local soil and water conservation district office or by contacting Amber Knutson at (507) 706-6172.

More information is available at the Minnesota DNR’s Walk-In Access webpage.

MORE COVERAGE FROM MINNESOTA OUTDOOR NEWS:

Streams of Thought: Unless things change, anglers can expect extra costs, headaches crossing Canadian border this summer

‘Community grants’ are target of Minnesota House bill’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund change

Joe Shead: Buying a camper for hunting seemed like a good idea… then the work began

MINNESOTA SPORTING COLLECTIBLES SHOW IS APRIL 6 IN MEDINA

Medina, Minn. — The 27th annual Minnesota Sporting Collectibles Show comes to the Medina Entertainment Center on Sunday, April 6, from 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event will feature everything from fishing lures to duck decoys to hunting equipment, cabin decor, sporting art, game calls, spearing decoys, traps, books and magazines, and much more. Free appraisals of your sporting collectibles is available.

Admission to the event is $8 for adults and free for those age 16 and younger. For more information, visit the Minnesota Sporting Collectibles page on Facebook.

DNR SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT ON DRAFT ROSEAU RIVER WMA MASTER PLAN

Roseau, Minn. — The Minnesota DNR is inviting people interested in the Roseau River Wildlife Management Area to share their thoughts on a draft update of the WMA’s master plan, which will guide management of the popular hunting and wildlife-watching destination in northwestern Minnesota.

Minnesota DNR staff will host two events to provide an overview of the plan and its purpose, answer questions, and collect public input: an in-person meeting and an online meeting. Registration is not required for either event.

The online meeting is 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8. A link to join the webinar is available on the Roseau River WMA page of the DNR website.

The in-person public meeting is 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, at Roseau City Center.

The public may review the updated master plan and submit online comments by visiting the DNR website.

Comments may also be submitted by emailing roseauriver.wildlife@state.mn.us, calling Roseau River WMA staff at (218) 452-7610, or mailing Roseau River WMA Master Plan, Fish and Wildlife Division, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155.

Comments will be accepted through Friday, April 25.

CLEAN DRAIN DRY ANNUAL REPORT AVAILABLE

White Bear Lake, Minn. — Wildlife Forever released its 2024 Clean Drain Dry Initiative annual accomplishment report at the 90th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference held in Louisville, Kty., March 10-14. Through partnerships with the outdoor industry, community organizations and state and federal agencies, on-the-ground efforts delivered invasive species prevention tools and community-focused public service campaigns.

Since 2006, the Clean Drain Dry Initiative has invested more than $15 million to coordinate the national campaign and educate outdoor recreational users on how to prevent the spread of invasive species. Strategic communications, marketing, outreach and educational services provide access to consistent messaging and tailored aquatic invasive species prevention planning. To learn about services, visit www.CleanDrainDry.org

B&C TO HOST 32ND BIG GAME AWARDS EVENT THIS SUMMER

Missoula, Mont. — The Boone and Crockett Club has announced its 32nd Big Game Awards, a triennial event celebrating fair-chase hunting and conservation of North America’s big-game species. The event will be held July 24-26 at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Mo.

According to a B&C news release, the top-scoring animals in 38 categories entered into B&C’s records program between Jan. 1, 2022, and Dec. 31, 2024, have been invited to a “judges panel” in April, where teams of B&C official measurers will verify their scores. These specimens will be displayed during the July event.

For updates and ticket information, visit the B&C website.