Pope Soil & Water

Providing Quality Conservation Resources since 1949

Providing Quality Conservation Resources Since 1949
  • Home
  • Products & Services
  • Programs
    • Agricultural Conservation Programs
    • Urban Conservation Programs
    • Lakes, Streams, Researching & Monitoring
      • Bonanza Valley Ground Water Management Area
      • Lake Reports
      • Rosholt Research Farm
  • Projects
  • Education
    • Annual Poster Contest
    • Conservation Education Day
    • Envirothon
    • Legislative Days
    • Outstanding Conservationist
    • Pope & Stevens County Waterfest
    • Stewardship Week
  • About Us
    • Board of Supervisors
    • Conservation Partners
    • Conservation Plans, Data, and Reports
    • Employment
    • Meeting Minutes
    • Newsletters
    • Request for Proposals
    • Staff Page
  • Grant Reporting
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / Programs / Walk In Access Program

Walk In Access Program

WalkInAccessThe primary objective of the Walk In Access Program is to provide new hunting opportunities on private lands currently enrolled in conservation programs with quality wildlife habitat, such as the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Reinvest in Minnesota (RIM), and the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). Other natural lands may also be eligible for enrollment if high-quality habitat exists.

In 2014, Minnesota had 20,708 acres enrolled into the Walk In Access Program and Pope County had 10 sites totaling 555 acres. Once enrolled, the land is open to public hunting access during any open hunting season, including spring turkey. The location of areas enrolled will be publicized in an annual book and posted on the DNR website. Bright yellow-green signs will be installed along WIA boundaries once land is enrolled. WIA land is for hunting only. There is no target practice, trapping, dog training, camping, horseback riding, driving, or fires allowed on the property. Landowners are protected from liability, unlike private leases. Trespassing and hunting violations will be dealt with by DNR Conservation Officers.

Eligible sites must meet the minimum size of 40 acres. Acreage smaller than 40 acres may enroll if the land is contiguous with a Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA), or another WIA resulting in at least 40 contiguous acres open to public hunting. Landowners sign into a one year or multi-year contract, with the ability to cancel the contract at any time without penalty.

Payment rates for signing up with the WIA program include:
· $10/acre base payment
· $1/ac. incentive payment if area is more than 140 acres
· $1/ac. incentive payment if land is located within a half-mile of other public hunting (WMA/WPA)
$1/ac. incentive payment for a multi-year agreement.

So if you have land in CRP, RIM, WRP, CREP, or any other conservation program and would be interested in earning extra money off of it please contact the Pope Soil & Water Conservation District. You can stop by our office at 1680 Franklin St N in Glenwood or call us at 320-634-5327. We would be happy to answer any questions and assist with enrollment of your land. For more information, you can also visit www.mndnr.gov/walkin. Deadline for enrollment is June 1st, 2015.

320-634-5327
Pope Soil and Water Conservation District 1680 Franklin Street North Glenwood, MN 56334

Quick Links

PROTOCOL FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT SWCD MEETINGS adopted 10-17-23

2025 Tree Order Form-revised 5-6-25-Pope SWCD is now taking orders for 2025 trees and shrubs! Don't delay order today!

_____________________

2024 Annual Report

Rosholt Weather Station

2015 Buffer Initiative PDF

Local Recycling Programs

Pope County SSTS Loan
and Grant Program Information

Data Practices Policy

Public Data Request Form

About Rosholt Weather Service

Events, Etc.

Pope SWCD Board Meetings
Location: USDA Service Center, 7:00 am April through October, 8:00 a.m. January through March and November and December
December 17, 2024 *Note* Meeting time 7:00 a.m. this month.
January 21, 2025
February 18, 2025
March 27, 2025
April 15, 2025
May 13, 2025
June 17, 2025
July 15, 2025
August 19, 2025
September 16, 2025
October 21, 2025
November 18, 2025
December 16, 2025
January 20, 2026

All contents are the property of Pope County SWCD and are the views and opinions of the District. The District's goal is to provide quality and accurate information and products. All information within this site is subject to change and should serve only as a guideline for the districts services and procedures.

For the most accurate information, please call (320) 634-5327. Pope Soil & Water Conservation District prohibits discrimination in all their programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status.

  • Home
  • Products & Services
  • Programs
  • Projects
  • Education
  • About Us
  • Grant Reporting
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 Pope Soil & Water · Site by Versatile Designs & CYBERsprout