New Law
Statute Governing Walk-In Access Hunting Program
Subject: HF2171 Game & Fish Bill that Governor Dayton signed in 2012.
14.33 Sec. 27. [97A.126] WALK-IN ACCESS PROGRAM.
15.1 Subdivision 1. Establishment. A walk-in access program is established to provide
15.2 public access to wildlife habitat on private land for hunting, excluding trapping, as
15.3 provided under this section. The commissioner may enter into agreements with other units
15.4 of government and landowners to provide private land hunting access.
15.5 Subd. 2. Use of enrolled lands. (a) >From September 1 to May 31, a person must
15.6 have a walk-in access hunter validation in possession to hunt on private lands, including
15.7 agricultural lands, that are posted as being enrolled in the walk-in access program.
15.8(b) Hunting on private lands that are posted as enrolled in the walk-in access
15.9 program is allowed from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
15.10(c) Hunter access on private lands that are posted as enrolled in the walk-in access
15.11 program is restricted to nonmotorized use, except by hunters with disabilities operating
15.12 motor vehicles on established trails or field roads who possess a valid permit to shoot from
15.13a stationary vehicle under section 97B.055, subdivision 3.
15.14(d) The general provisions for use of wildlife management areas adopted under
15.15 sections 86A.06 and 97A.137, relating to overnight use, alcoholic beverages, use of
15.16 motorboats, firearms and target shooting, hunting stands, abandonment of trash and
15.17 property, destruction or removal of property, introduction of plants or animals, and animal
15.18 trespass, apply to hunters on lands enrolled in the walk-in access program.
15.19(e) Any use of enrolled lands other than hunting according to this section is
15.20 prohibited, including:
15.21(1) harvesting bait, including minnows, leeches, and other live bait;
15.22(2) training dogs or using dogs for activities other than hunting; and
15.23(3) constructing or maintaining any building, dock, fence, billboard, sign, hunting
15.24 blind, or other structure, unless constructed or maintained by the landowner.
15.25 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective March 1, 2013.