Written by Justin Park|
Last updated
Across the country, states are offering cash to landowners who open their property to hunters. These programs provide a creative, low-effort way to turn land into income.
Platforms like HLRBO are a related option for landowners. In Minnesota, where about 24% of land is public, crowding on state and federal parcels pushes hunters to seek private property.
What is the government program all about? We looked at Minnesota’s Walk-In Access (WIA) program as an example.
The Minnesota program pays landowners a flat rate of $18 per acre to allow walk-in hunting from September 1 to May 31. It’s a hands-off way for a landowner to earn passive income, with the state managing signage, liability, and access.
“Once enrolled, landowners no longer have to grant permission to people who want to access the property,” says Amber Knutson with Minnesota DNR. The program includes land in the majority of Minnesota’s counties.
The catch? Enrollment opens just once each year. When we talked to Knutson, she said enrollment was closed until 2026.
That’s where a private leasing platform like HLRBO can come in. The company lets landowners list property any time of the year. You can also choose your per-acre rate.
Minnesota leases on HLRBO average $20–$25 per acre, but strong game land can reach $40 or more. Smaller parcels, if high quality, can be just as attractive as big ones, says HLRBO founder Heath Schubert.
“Even properties less than 50 acres can be super attractive to knowledgeable hunters when it’s prime land,” he says.
Brad Scott, a landowner in southern Minnesota, owns a rolling prairie preserve. He leases his 300-acre property through HLRBO for $6,000 a year, which is enough to cover property taxes and then some.
Listing on HLRBO takes minutes, and regional reps help set prices, add protections, and improve appeal. Lease template forms handle access rights and reduce risk, similar to the WIA’s DNR-managed coverage.
Beyond Minnesota, 29 states operate walk-in-style access programs, including in the West where ranchland dominates.
WIA is a great option for landowners who want simplicity. But for Minnesota landowners seeking flexibility or potential better returns, HLRBO may be the fit.
Whether through WIA or HLRBO, there’s money to be made from your acres this year.
Author Bio: Justin Park is a Colorado-based writer, editor, and avid hunter with a passion for the outdoors. He contributes to leading publications such as GearJunkie, Popular Mechanics, Powder, and Men's Journal, and serves as Editor of Wild Snow. Park is deeply involved in conservation and recreation advocacy, serving as Chapter Chair of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) in Summit County. He also represents RMEF on a state recreation committee focused on proactively addressing land use conflicts.
