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I really think this will help spread people out a little. If it is anything like the program that Kansas has, it will really help out our sport.
 
jeffstally said:
I really think this will help spread people out a little. If it is anything like the program that Kansas has, it will really help out our sport.
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It would really help us KS residents out if more states adopted/improved public access programs. We're also pulling for Iowa's bird population to rebound. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad people spend their $ here and I've met a few very neat people as a results of having so many visitors to our state, BUT we were over run w/ people this past season.

Keep up the great work MN:cheers:
 
with the way it looks right now, i really think more people will be out shooting waterfowl this year vs. upland. numbers are down, broods are getting washed out, and crops are behind. i did see one family of little guys last thursday west of appleton on hwy 7. i usually see several broods running around on the hwy towards sunset and this brood was my first this year. 3 plus inches of rain in some areas again last night. 5 inches of rain in the redwood falls area. its going to be a tough year so spreading em out wont be a problem because after the first weekend you might not see many people with blaze orange on in the fields this year. well until deer season that is. i hope this program takes off and lets cross our fingers and pray for a good winter and spring in 2012 so our birds can rebound. after the last 2 years they need a break. come on motha nature!!
 
kansasbrittany said:
It would really help us KS residents out if more states adopted/improved public access programs. We're also pulling for Iowa's bird population to rebound. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad people spend their $ here and I've met a few very neat people as a results of having so many visitors to our state, BUT we were over run w/ people this past season.

Keep up the great work MN:cheers:
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I think the economy will slow the flow of hunters down some this year. Personally, I think Wildlife in general could use a little less pressure this year based on the drought conditions.
 
OKIEGunner said:
I think the economy will slow the flow of hunters down some this year. Personally, I think Wildlife in general could use a little less pressure this year based on the drought conditions.
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Well this is a MN forum and there has been no shortage of water in Minnesota this year. Much of MN and the Dakotas are above the carry capacity for water and marshes, ponds, lakes and rivers are far outside their usual banks.
 
Does anybody know if they are going to come out with a better map? Looked at the one on the DNR's website and is not very specific.
 
Awhile back the DNR said that they were not sure if they could get a printed map out in time for the season. I would ask the DNR employees at the state fair if you go.
 
Some good guessing on the current internet map will be necessary. ;)

I really hope this concept takes off and they can hit 25K - 30K acres total. If the average parcel is about 100 acres that translates into 250 - 300 extra hunting spots to spread out pressure and add variety to the fall chase.

Compare that to the current 1 or 2 new WMAs added each fall and say adding acres to another 5 - 10 WMAs each fall ... never get there in my lifetime or my childrens.
 
Tbear said:
Does anybody know if they are going to come out with a better map? Looked at the one on the DNR's website and is not very specific.
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I think the pdf maps are just fine. A person doesn't need a survey. The only improvement I would make is to break them out by county, rather than the grids that are being used. But the DNR has used this grid system since time began and the wheels of change ever so slowly.
 
BRITTMAN said:
Well this is a MN forum and there has been no shortage of water in Minnesota this year. Much of MN and the Dakotas are above the carry capacity for water and marshes, ponds, lakes and rivers are far outside their usual banks.
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Much of Minnesota is now behind on moisture and could really use some rain. The temporary wetlands are drying up quick, which should help waterfowlers to some extent.
 
BRITTMAN said:
Some good guessing on the current internet map will be necessary. ;)

I really hope this concept takes off and they can hit 25K - 30K acres total. If the average parcel is about 100 acres that translates into 250 - 300 extra hunting spots to spread out pressure and add variety to the fall chase.

Compare that to the current 1 or 2 new WMAs added each fall and say adding acres to another 5 - 10 WMAs each fall ... never get there in my lifetime or my childrens.
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The goal is 50,000 acres by year 3 of the pilot. Beyond three years, the funding for the program is in doubt. I, for one, would support a surcharge on either licensing, stamps or some combination. And with the new sales tax program, quite a few more than 1 or 2 new WMAs will be added to the program each year. I've been involved in the acquisition of at least 6 this fall, and that's only dealing with a small fraction of the LSOHC money doled out.
 
How many completely new areas are there compared to add-ons ?

As long as MN can manage the land they have - great. There are quite a few good properties. I have shot all types of birds including turkeys on WMA land.

The Prairie Chicken land in NW MN is in major need of prescribed burns. I see alot of volunteer cedars across many MN DNR WMAs. Other WMAs are forfeited swamps where most acres are unhuntable. Do we really need the state to own these?
 
Maps Are Up!

The maps look positive. I looked around the area I normally hunt and I was happy with the additions that they have made.

Check it out here.
 
From Co and never hunted in MN but am not against it, would rather ice fish there. I looked at your map and can you say SCORE!!!! Very nice acquisitions/addons. Good job MN.:10sign:
 
Does anybody know what these WIA's look like? I know some of the WIA's in SD are plowed fields. I haven't seen any of the areas in person.
 
From the maps I looked at they looked good. A lot of land along drainage ditches and areas adjacent to WMAs or WPAs.
 
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