Program Resources
Managed Forest Law - Open land
Managed Forest Law (MFL) land may be designated as open or closed to public access. Landowners with open MFL land allow the public to hunt, fish, hike, sight-see, and cross-country ski on the property in exchange for a lower tax rate.
A list of open land is created in February of each year. The list shows legal descriptions only. You may need to reference county plat books to identify ownership boundaries, roads, rivers, lakes, and other physical land features.
These listings show land that is open to public access for hunting, fishing, hiking, x-country skiing and sightseeing.
To view the list for a particular county, pick a county and click on the associated view button. A PDF with the information you requested will open in a new window.
Links
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need the landowner’s permission to recreate on open MFL land? |
No, you do not need to ask permission for allowable recreation on open MFL land. As a courtesy, you may wish to let the landowner know that you will be on the property, especially if the landowner lives near the site. Reminder: allowable recreation on open MFL land includes hunting, hiking, fishing, sight-seeing, and cross-country skiing. |
| Can I use a vehicle on the property? |
No, you need to obtain special permission from the landowner. |
| Can I leave a tree stand for use on another visit? |
No, tree stands must be taken with you when you leave the property for the day. |
| Is trapping allowed? |
No, you need to obtain special permission from the landowner. |
| Do I have to access the land from a specific location? |
No, unless the landowner has identified a specific access point. |
| How can I find a plat book? | They may be available at public libraries or the county clerk’s office. In addition, they can be ordered directly from the publisher. |
| Can I order the open land listing by mail? | Yes, the lists can be ordered for a fee. Complete the order form and submit it with the appropriate fee. Please allow 3-4 weeks for mail delivery. |
| Can I post signs on my open land? | Signs restricting allowable recreation are not allowed. You may post signs to prevent misuse by the public (e.g. vehicular travel). If you post signs, you must state the allowable activities. Simple wording for signs may be available from the local DNR forester. Improper posting of forest tax law lands is a violation of the law and may result in program withdrawal. |
| Can I change my open/closed designation? | Yes, you are allowed to change the open/closed designation twice. You may do this by completing the Public Access Modification Request form. Requests received by December 1 will take effect the following January 1. |
| Can I limit the number of people using my open land? |
No. |
MFL-OpenLand
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