DNR Stance on Walk-In Hunting Land

[grab the net]

AFter reading the posts on this topic, it would appear that the biggest fears are:

1. A walk-in program would promote Land owners that choose not to be involved in the strictly voluntary program to start charging for access to their land.

2. It would detract funds the DNR may use for purchase of permanent WMA acquisition.

3. Some people feel it would only benefit pheasant hunters and not all hunters.

I think the key word for the walkin program is voluntary sign up. There are some landowners who would take advantage, non-hunters who would like the added income from their cattail slough or CRP acres. If you hunt your own land great, don't sign up. But to say that your license dollars should not be used to gain access for others, just because you have yours is not fair. I don't fish walleyes very much so I should not have to pay as much for a fishing license. Part of my license money is used for walleye rearing so they can be stocked into put and take fisheries, ( no natural reproduction), same logic.

When I have looked at the walk-in program in SD, I see that the landowner can dictate what activities are allowed on his property. Small game hunting only, no trapping, no big game hunting, etc.. It does allow control for the landowner.

Most County Government is not that crazy about more land being taken off the tax shelf. Land owners that are not ready to sell there property to the DNR may want to utilize a Walk-in program to see how it feels first, see how the land is used and treated. More access now in the form of a walk-in program should at least be explored.

As far as a quality pheasant hunt in MN goes, I think it has been as good as it gets the last 6 years. One or two bad winter storms and the loss of CRP will have us all looking for something else to do in the fall, or travelling west out of state if we want to bag a rooster.

[BLACKJACK]

 Originally Posted By: Augusta

But your against a WIA program I thought, now you're saying that you will be using the program? What is your true stand on this issue?

Augusta, sure I'm not for Walk-in areas for several reasons but if my tax payer dollars are being spent to finance them, I'm going to hunt on them.

What if your employer decides that once a month hes going to throw a big get-together for all employees. You might be against that idea because you'd rather see that money spent on a pay raises for all employees but since the party is happening regardless, would you go? Probably.

What if the state decides to expand one of your local highways from two to four lanes, you think its a big waste of money, but would you use that new expanded highway? Of course you would.

Being against something doesn't mean you're not going to use it if it comes to pass.

[Augusta]

Funny how you anti access people work, you campaign against access, but once it passes, then you guys are the first to express you god given right to use it....I think they have a term for that.....

[BLACKJACK]

 Originally Posted By: Augusta

Funny how you anti access people work, you campaign against access, but once it passes, then you guys are the first to express you god given right to use it....I think they have a term for that.....

Augusta,

Through the ages a common practice has been if you don’t like the message, kill the messenger.

When someone on FM disagrees with you, instead of coming up with a thoughtful and articulate response, you resort to using sarcasm and name calling. Fortunately the readers and contributors here on FM are pretty astute and soon start to gauge people by the content and helpfulness, or lack of content, in their responses and will soon start ignoring and skipping responses made by some individuals.

Have a good day!!!

[sparcebag]

I could'nt have said it better BJ,Ya a opinion is respected,Going beyond is well??

To coin a phrase:

----

men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.

[hanso612]

In Augusta's defence, I can say it was his strong words that incited me to make my first post. Lively debate inspires people. One's beliefs should be maximly consistent. I try to point incongruencies whenever I find them, to a fault myself. As long as it is the actions or ideas that are criticised this "calling b.s." futhers discusions. One can not back down from an argument just because his arguments are shown to have flaws. Fixing the flaw in the argument is were growth accurs. Augusta, I appreciate your conviction and hope others don't shy away from a good fight for fear of being politically incorrect or being labeled bullish.

Lets argue ideas and not personality. Hans