A Potential Game Goldmine

National Hunting Land

Minnesota reserves public hunting land in over 1,300 wildlife management areas (or WMAs). Located in wetlands, upland, or woods operated by the Department of Natural Resources, legal hunting can be taken advantage of during regular seasons. The locations of these prime hunting scenes can be found at www.dnr.state.mn.us/wmas. Minnesota's 3 million acres of preserved state forests can also be tapped for their choice game. The 56 separate forests house ample moose, deer, bear, and ruffed grouse. Minnesota is also home to eight national wildlife refuges.

Reclusive Country Retreats

Other, generally undiscovered, hunting resources reside in less public areas. County, state tax-forfeited lands in many of the northern Minnesota counties provide beautiful hunting possibilities. Your local county land department can locate this forested hunting land. Unbeknownst to most, some industrial forest land is open to hunting. Potlatch, Blandin, Boise-Cascade, and a few other forest product companies open their land to hunting. If no signs are posted, the land is open. Finally, most of Minnesota's hunting occurs on private property. Trespass laws exist to protect human life, so before embarking on any hunting endeavor, check to make sure the land is admissible. Minnesota state law requires written permission for hunting on any agricultural or private land. The county auditor's office will hold information on public and private land.

Pricey Privacy

Obtaining private hunting land in Minnesota is no difficult matter if you have the funds. Acreage can be pricey, but it's available. Land can go for about $1,200 per acre. But if you have the money, private hunting land will most likely be the most rewarding as no one hunts it other than you. Minnesota's plentiful hunting land could be yours for a price, and some of it already is.