Minnesota's fledgling walk-in access hunting program will be 55 percent larger next fall than last year, when the program began.
The state has enrolled more than 14,000 acres, compared to 9,000 acres in 2011.
And, because of a law passed by the Legislature, there's enough money for the program to run through 2014.
"We're pretty pleased," said Marybeth Block, Department of Natural Resources program coordinator.
However, long-term funding remains a problem. The Legislature rejected a proposal to charge users a $15 fee, and existing funds could run out after 2014.
"We'll have to come up with other ways to fund this," Block said.
Under the program, landowners in 21 southwestern Minnesota counties are paid a per-acre fee to allow public hunting on their property. Pheasant hunters are the primary beneficiary, though other hunting is allowed. The program is modeled after popular ones in other states, including South Dakota.
Though long-term funding wasn't resolved, the Legislature's action keeps the program alive and gives it a chance to grow and gain support from hunters and landowners.