Ask a conservation officer

[Lee Borgersen]

Ask a conservation officer: Know land ownership before scouting.

 

2015-01-18

Q:  I am starting to scout for next year’s deer season so I can see existing deer trails and maybe find some antler sheds.  How do I find out if I have legal access to a piece of land?


A:  This is a great time of year to follow up on deer activity from late fall and early winter, and our current conditions make it even more pleasant to be in the woods.  A good place to start is the DNR website at http://dnr.state.mn.us/maps/index.html for different interactive maps for land ownership, topography, management rules and access.  Another good reference is a County Plat Book available at your respective county courthouse.  This book shows property lines and lists landowner/taxpayer information, including whether a parcel of land is publicly owned.  If you end up with further questions or confusion, contact your local conservation officer for questions about a specific piece of property.  Good luck!