Judging by the email response I've received from my last post, Walk-In Hunting Areas to Debut in 2011 in Minnesota, Iowa, Minnesota upland hunters are eager for autumn and a Walk In Access (WIA) program in their home state.

I'm assuming that since I received so many email questions about the program, plenty of others are wondering the same things. I checked in with Marybeth Block, Working Lands and Walk In Access Coordinator MN DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife, who is heading up the new program for the state, to answer your questions.

Q: When will Minnesota's Walk In Access program go live?

A: Assuming no state shutdown, here's the timeline for the WIA 2011 program:

  • Mid July enrollment sign up ends
  • Early August evaluate enrollment
  • August - install signs develop the interactive enrolled parcel database; Sept/Oct - go public with the database of enrolled and signed parcels

Q: The questions most asked is, When and where will WIA map booklets be available?

A: Assuming enough qualifying parcels are offered for enrollment, we hope to have downloadable maps available (online) for the public in September. I am unsure at this time if we will print atlases for the 2011 fall hunting season, or simply offer to print and mail maps as requested.

Minnesota pheasant hunters look to utilize the state's first Walk In Access lands this fall. Pheasants Forever File Photo

Q: Would a state government shutdown alter plans for this first-year program?

A: This is a pilot program, so it is difficult to provide reliable dates for "deliverables" and that is further exacerbated by the potential state shutdown.

Q: If landowners are interested in enrolling in the WIA program, what should they do?

A: Interested landowners should contact their local county Soil and Water Conservation District office.

Once private land is enrolled in the program, youth from Conservation Corps Minnesota will install signs identifying each enrolled parcel. Hunters can hunt during any open hunting season, including spring turkey season. No landowner contacts will be necessary on lands posted with walk-in signs.

Anthony Hauck is Pheasants Forever's Online Editor. Email Anthony at AHauck@pheasantsforever.org. Follow him on Twitter @AnthonyHauck.