Private Forest Lands Open for Public Recreation

Introduction

Introduction

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Introduction

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This Private Forest Lands Open for Public Recreation web mapping application is designed to give you an easy way to view the APPROXIMATE representations of lands enrolled in the Managed Forest Law (MFL) and Forest Crop Law (FCL) programs that are "Open" to public recreation. Land enrolled in MFL are designated as “Open” or “Closed” to public recreation. The "Open" designation allows public access (for select activities) to the property without additional permission from landowner(s). The "Closed" designation affords landowners the right to restrict or permit access. All land enrolled in FCL is open to public access (for select activities) without additional permission from the landowner(s).

 

ONLY APPROXIMATE representations of "Open" lands enrolled in the tax law program are displayed in this application. The "Open" lands are represented by points, "Closed" lands are not represented. Often the point represents the center of a quarter-quarter section of the public land survey (approximately 40 acres in most areas). If enrolled land is smaller than the quarter-quarter section, you will need to talk to the landowner or the DNR Forester to find out where in the quarter-quarter section the "Open" land is located. A current year County Plat book is also a good source of ownership information. Plat books may be available at public libraries, the county clerk's office, or you can purchase them directly from the plat book publisher.

 

IN SOME CASES a detail map exists for the enrolled land.  If a detail map exists an MapIcon Open Detail Section Map link will appear in the Land Description dialog box, if no map exists the link will not appear.  Click MapIcon Open Detail Section Map to bring up a adobe PDF file displaying the map.

 

Go to the Managed Forest Law web site for further information about the tax law program.

 

Go to the Public Lands web site for further information about recreational opportunities on public lands.

 

hmtoggle_plus1When using tax law lands Open to public recreation, the PUBLIC MAY;

●On MFL Open lands - Access the land only for the purposes of hunting, fishing, hiking, sight seeing and cross country skiing.

●On FCL lands - Access the land only for the purposes of hunting and fishing.

●Access the land without asking permission.

●Access the land only by foot unless given other permission by the landowner(s).

●Use legal hunting methods including baiting and temporary tree stands.  Land, trees or other property may not be damaged.

 

hmtoggle_plus1When using tax law lands Open to public recreation, the PUBLIC MAY NOT;

●Use motorized vehicles (for example ATVs or snowmobiles) or conduct target practice without landowner’s permission.

●Damage the property or anything on it.

●Trap without the landowner's permission.

●Gather plant material (including but not limited to; wild fruit, seeds, flowers, mushrooms, or balsam boughs) without the landowner's permission.

 

hmtoggle_plus1When using tax law lands Open to public recreation, the PUBLIC is ENCOURAGED to;

●Avoid trespass through awareness of their location, tax law "Open to recreation" boundaries and property lines.

●Treat the property and resources with respect. Damage and trespass incidents are enforced by the local Sheriff’s Department, not the DNR.

●Let landowners know when and where they are going to be on tax law land. Though not a legal requirement, notification is courteous and enhances safety.

 

hmtoggle_plus1For tax law lands Open to public recreation, LANDOWNERS MAY;

●Restrict or deny the use of motorized vehicles upon the parcel.

●Designate a specific access point or route to the tax law Open land. Typically, the public can access tax law Open parcels from a public road. When not obvious, public access must be reasonable and clearly identified. Where the public must cross the owner’s non-tax law or Closed tax law land, the landowner should identify the public access route.

●Post signs approved by the DNR to show the access route or identify the location of closed lands.

●Restrict access within 300 feet of any building or active commercial timber sale that conforms to the management plan (cutting firewood for personal use does not apply).

●Grant additional uses to the public if the landowner so desires.

●Not deny access to any person.

●Not restrict the number of people accessing the parcel.

●Not post signs that restrict or give the appearance of restricting permitted uses.