Continued: 'Walk-in' hunting program would be costly, DNR says

ST. CLOUD - Is a "walk-in'' hunting program, which would provide hunters access to private lands, in the cards for Minnesota?

The Department of Natural Resources will provide recommendations to the Legislature later this month on the feasibility of such a program, popular in South Dakota, North Dakota and 15 other states.

Under the program, landowners are paid to allow public hunting on their lands.

"Can that kind of program work here in Minnesota, and if so, what's it going to cost?'' asked Dave Schad, DNR Fish and Wildlife Division director.

The idea, which has been debated for years, was discussed again Saturday at the DNR's annual "roundtable'' meetings with stakeholders in St. Cloud.

Officials said the DNR likely would focus on enrolling private grasslands and wetlands, primarily for upland hunting, and might try to tie it to existing conservation programs that pay landowners to set aside lands. A landowner would get additional payments to allow public hunting, which might be more incentive for them to enroll in the conservation programs, officials said.

The problem: "It will be very expensive,'' Bill Penning, DNR farmland wildlife program manger, told about 75 attendees.

Per-acre leasing costs likely will be far higher here than in western states, Penning said. And signs would have to be erected, and additional enforcement likely would be required.

Officials are still working on the plan and didn't estimate the number of acres, total costs or funding source. The idea got a mixed response.

The Legislature asked the DNR for a report on the feasibility and costs of such a program, and debate likely will occur in the 2008 session, which begins next month.

Bioenergy was the DNR's major topic at the roundtable -- a seemingly unusual one for the agency to be discussing with hunters and anglers.

"This is not your traditional roundtable,'' DNR Commissioner Mark Holsten acknowledged. But he said the breakneck development of bioenergy -- including producing ethanol from corn or eventually prairie grasses -- will have huge ramifications for the state, including its natural resources. And that will affect everyone, hunters and anglers included.

"The genie is out of the bottle,'' he said. "Even if only half the stuff you've heard becomes a reality, it means a massive landscape change. ...

"I'm not sure if it's good or if it's bad, but I know something is going to happen. Natural resources are going to be affected, and we need to be at that table.''

If it's done right, there could be huge benefits for wildlife and clean water, he said. But if it's done wrong, it could spell more serious trouble for the state's natural resources.

Ice conditions remained dicey because of slush in many areas of the state last week.

The slush has made it difficult to get permanent ice-fishing shelters onto the ice, and DNR pilot Al Bucheret of Grand Rapids, who flew on a shelter count recently, said it was the lowest number of shelters he's seen in 15 years.

Meanwhile, the annual Breezy Point Ice Fest on Pelican Lake, set for Jan. 11-12, was canceled because of poor ice conditions. It's the first time the event has been canceled since it began in 1994.

Snowmobile and ski trails are in good to excellent condition in the Crosby area, but ice conditions on area lakes remains inconsistent and slush is a problem. Anglers have been using ATVs and snowmobiles on the lakes, but using larger vehicles is not advised, reported officer Karl Hadrits. One truck broke through ice.

The 38th annual Minnesota Sportsmen's Boat, Camping and Vacation Show opens Wednesday at St. Paul's RiverCentre. Nearly 500 exhibits will be there, including boats, RVs, motors, docks, marine electronics, fishing gear, hunting and camping equipment, lodges, resorts, campgrounds and outfitters.

Seminar speakers include Larry Bollig, Kurt Amundson, Ted Takasaki and Todd Amenrud.

Hours are noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Cost is $9 and $2.50 for children 6 to 12. For more information, call 763-755-8111 or see www.stpaulsportshow.com.

The top names in professional snowmobile racing will appear in Shakopee this weekend at the Air Force Canterbury Snowcross, part of the PowerSports Snowmobile Tour. A crowd of 15,000 to 20,000 is expected for the races on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Canterbury Park. Besides pros, amateur, youth and women's snowcross racers also will compete. The Air Force will have a flying simulator, and fans also can test drive new snowmobiles. Tickets are $10 to $25 for adults and $5 for kids 6-15. Children 6 and under are free. Call 651-209-7404 for more information.

• New federal figures show almost 420,000 acres of North Dakota Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) were converted to cropland in 2007 -- more than 12 percent of CRP acres in the state. Other states, including Minnesota and South Dakota, also are experiencing big losses. "If this trend holds for CRP contracts across the country, we won't have many acres of CRP left in a few years, and wildlife populations will suffer serious declines," said Scott McLeod, Ducks Unlimited farm bill specialist.

• You don't see this every day: While patrolling Beltrami Island State Forest, conservation officer Jeff Birchem of Baudette saw several people rappeling off one of the state-owned fire towers. They were advised their activity had to cease and they needed to find a more appropriate place for their rappeling.

• Fishing pressure has been high on Upper Red Lake, and anglers are reporting a good evening bite, including some 15-inch crappies, said officer Robert Gorecki of Baudette. Anglers on Lake of the Woods near Long Point, Zippel Bay and the Sandy Shore area are finding good numbers of sauger, walleyes and jumbo perch, while other parts of the lake have slowed.

• It's an unusual fund-raiser for conservation: The Rice County Chapter of Pheasants Forever is raffling off a trip for two to see the Timberwolves face former Wolves great Kevin Garnett and the Celtics in Boston on Jan. 25. The trip includes travel with the team on a chartered flight and team bus, two press passes for the game, a pregame meal and lodging at the team hotel. Tickets are $100, and the raffle is limited to 120 tickets. Proceeds will go to public land acquisition, habitat restoration and other conservation measures. For information, call 507-744-3447 or 507-332-9689.