How To Find New Public and Private Hunting Land
The ongoing question for every hunter – “Where do I hunt?”
Whether you’re an elk hunter, deer hunter, or turkey hunter, the question is always asked – “Where do I hunt?”
The biggest issue that arises when hunting or when you're first getting into hunting is finding a place to hunt; one of the first things to be figured out when planning your fall hunting season. The United States happens to have millions of acres of public land we have the ability to hunt, but there are some downfalls associated with that. Not everyone lives out west and has access to millions of acres of public land, has a family cabin up north, or even lives out in the country with endless fields of agriculture.
An alternative solution to public land is to hunt private land. Most of us don’t have the ability or luxury to own acres and acres of hunting land, but that doesn’t mean it's impossible to find and hunt on privately owned land affordably. If you put the hard work into research and time spent in front of a map, you’ll find places to hunt. The best way to find land, public or private, is to scout, do your research and start asking for permission.
It can be a challenge to find a place to hunt, especially last minute. Not to mention the fear and overwhelm associated with it. Yet, every year, many hunters go out into an unknown area and fill their tags.
Time to put the work in. If you want to become a better hunter or a highly skilled hunter, scouting all year round is the way to do it. Start by scouting your local area and any other locations you have your mind on hunting. Pay attention to where the animals are hanging out. Learn their habits, behavior, feeding ground - pattern the animals you are wanting to hunt.
Chapter 1: Scouting To Find Public and Private Land
You could go down quite the rabbit hole with tactics and ways to find lands to hunt. Everyone eventually develops their own way of doing things. So we will keep it simple and to the point of what you want to look for, and how to go about finding quality hunting land. Remember that you WILL have competition with other hunters – but don’t let that deter you as that’s part of trying to find new hunting grounds.
In the United States, there are unparalleled opportunities for hunting public land within the millions of acres set apart for hunting and conservation. There are 76 areas managed by the National Park Service, 336 national wildlife refuges and 36 wetland management districts managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and over 220 million acres of BLM public lands that allow hunting in accordance with federal and state regulations and laws.
Digital Mapping App
It is crucial to know where land boundaries fall for public and private property. The better you prepare for a hunt, the more you will increase your chances of being successful. GPS technology, and apps like HuntWise, are changing the way hunters prepare for hunts in unknown territories. When you are about to embark on a backcountry big game hunt, a whitetail hunt on new lands, or even a turkey hunt in the neighbor’s field; e-scouting, or digital scouting, enables you to view the land you are about to hunt by using GPS and mapping layers.
You can use these mapping layers to see government lands, county boundaries, and landowner boundaries with owner contact information. When preparing for your hunt, look at areas that border private lands or restricted units that may have less pressure. Some of the lands might be “landlocked” but you can find the right of way and easements for alternative access into certain public lands. Sometimes the best hunting is on the boundary lines. Find those hidden gems. Think of a triangle when it comes to patterning an animal. Food. Water. Cover.
Locate Bedding Areas and Food Sources
Bedding areas and food sources are two of the most crucial elements in unlocking an animal's world. Bedding areas are the key role player during rut-activity, and food sources will often help you locate animals during the late season or post-rut.
In other words, both bedding areas and food sources affect animal behavior year round because it drives their motives to be active. More times than not, deer and elk will typically be bedded near a food source, and that is why you must locate them. If you are taking note of these areas during the off-season, your odds of success will go up. Learn what they eat, and find areas on the map that look ideal for trees, bushes, and plants that provide the food source. Then put some boots on the ground, set up some trail cameras, and assess the area. Repeat this process for multiple areas and with the process of elimination, you’ll end up with an idea of where you’ll want to hunt this fall.
Find Thick-Covered Areas
When you're scouting and deciding where you should set up or move your stands during the off-season, it is important to find areas that have thick coverage. Locating proper coverage is key because it provides the deer and elk with hiding spots for bedding, fawning, and other activities that they will carry out only if they feel safe. Heavy areas of pine trees, dark timber, and swamps are a great start to finding big game. These areas are best scouted by foot.
Animal Sign
Big game animals will always give themselves away throughout the year. A highly effective tactic is to look for animal signs. When you’re out hiking, scouting, and looking for sheds, you can find all sorts of animal signs such as poop, antler rubs on trees, scrapes, empty acorn hulls, etc. Try to identify how fresh it is, was it from winter or fall, spring or summer?
Use waypoints in the HuntWise App to mark the sign and then compare that info to what you have seen scouting throughout the year. This will give you a really good idea as to where the animals are traveling, eating, and bedding. Hunt where the animals are.
Chapter 2: Gaining Access to Private Land
Scout The Area
Similar to scouting areas to learn about the animals you’re hunting and the neighboring lands around you; you’ll want to do some driving around the properties you have your eyes on a few months before the season starts. Evening drives can tell you a lot about an area, especially in late June or early August. If you’re hunting mountain turkeys, or elk you’ll have to plan a weekend to get some hiking time in. This is where it will be detrimental to download offline maps in the HuntWise app.
Once you have figured out their patterns and where they hang out, now you can prep yourself to ask some landowner's permission to hunt their property. There are a few key things here you’re going to need to know beforehand.
Get landowner contact information straight from the HuntWise App.
Ask Permission, Be Polite
Mentally prepare yourself for how you want to sound, and what your goal is, and put yourself in their shoes. Be prepared for rejection, because it WILL happen, and it will happen a lot. That’s ok, don’t let that deter you. Eventually, you’ll get a yes. The most ideal time to knock on doors is in the off-season, in casual clothing, at an appropriate time of day where you won't be interfering with their day. Keep in mind, that you are a complete stranger showing up at someone’s home uninvited. The odds are not in your favor. You can gain some points by being well dressed, polite and maybe even bring a gift. (Hint, homemade baked goods usually do the trick).
Explain to them that you’ve seen some animals on their property and you would be interested in helping them with the animal population. You can even cater to the other people or family members that may be hunting there and explain you don’t plan to take trophy animals. Again, keep in mind you are asking THEM for a favor and they don’t owe you anything. So if you get a “no” you can always follow up by asking if they know anyone who allows hunting or is looking for wildlife management on their property.
With instant access to landowners’ phone numbers, addresses, and acreage, whether you’re knocking on the door or contacting them over the phone—go into the conversation with information on your side and new hunting land in your sights.
Be Respectful
Keep your word. If you say you're going to do something, be sure to stick to that. Remember, you are a guest on their property. Leave it better than you found it. This means no tire ruts, no littering, no shell or bullet casings and also being mindful of other hunters on the property or even family members.
Find out what the landowner's pet peeves are and the rules of the land, and be sure to follow them. The more you can build a positive relationship and possibly even a friendship with them, it could lead to a long-term hunting agreement. Simple gestures and acts of appreciation go a long way. Offer to help clear some brush and trees, long branches, or help with land projects. Send a card during the holidays. “You get out what you put in.”
Be A Part Of The Community
Trying to gain permission on private hunting lands doesn’t always have to be knocking on doors. A great way to find new public land areas or even get invited to hunt on private land is to participate in the local community. Join a trap league at the local rod and gun club, archery league at your archery shop, you can even muster up the courage to chat with someone new at the local grill.
Do someone a favor if you know someone who needs help with dropping a tree, planting a food plot, or any act of service. The key to life is an opportunity and who you know. Why not increase your chances of opportunity by putting yourself out there more?
Chapter 3: Pros and Cons Of Hunting Public and Private Land
Pros and Cons Of Public Land
In areas such as the midwest, public land hunting is not even an option for most people. It’s over-saturated and busy, the deer are heavily pressured and it can be very dangerous. It can be the worst experience you’ve ever had or the most amazing, it depends on what you make of it. If you choose to listen to the critics and never even attempt to access public lands or don’t give your best effort, how do you expect yourself to grow as a hunter? Never give up on an idea without trying it first.
Note: Be cautious of what stands and trail cameras or even blinds you leave on public land. In some areas, this is not permitted. Theft is also a high issue on public land.
Often times a large piece of public land hunts better than a smaller piece of private. Sure, the deer might be bedding on private property, but they travel, eat and rut on public lands. You just need to know where to be. This is where boots-on-the-ground scouting comes in handy. The bigger the piece of land, the less impacted by the pressure you are. In some cases, pressure is beneficial. If you can pinpoint where the pressure is going to be, you can be on the opposite side of it, right where the deer will be fleeing. Sometimes that means going where no one else is willing to go.
The work never ends on public land. You're always scouting, and trying new areas and tactics, it's more rewarding and shapes you into a better hunter.
Mark your hunt area to optimize advanced whitetail predictions, compare your stands by wind, and maximize your sit.
Pros and Cons Of Private Land
Hunting public land can be a lot of work. Asking for permission, scouting the land, setting tree stands, plantain food plots, and designing the best whitetail or elk property. Constant upkeep. Repetitive hunting, going up and down the same tree or in and out of the same blind. Or maybe the landowner just logged your favorite pine stand.
Enjoy it while you have it. Once you have the land and the game animals figured out, the hunting season becomes a lot easier and more relaxing. Fewer hunters to encounter, a good idea of the animals in the area, you know where you're going, where your stands are, etc.
Chapter 4: Hunting Ethics
Obey The Rules
Obey land signs. No Hunting. No Trespassing. Private Property.
When you're choosing your hunting spot, especially on public land, be mindful of other hunters. Look for stands or blinds left by other hunters, try to steer clear. A good rule of thumb is to leave 200-300 yards between you and other hunters' stand areas. If you happen to come across another hunter, have a friendly conversation and figure out where each other's direction, and go opposite ways.
Know Your Surroundings
Be on the lookout for other hunters and recreationalists. Always know your target and what's beyond it. Never shoot in the direction of homes, hiking trails, etc. Make sure your gear and weapon are in working order and properly inspected to prevent accidents and injury.
Respect The Animal
In the age of technology and social media, it’s important to learn the new rules associated with these new technologies. Hunters are in the spotlight now more than ever. With the battle for gun rights and some states trying to ban certain aspects of hunting, it’s important for us to set the example and be a good role model for non-hunters and new hunters. When taking photos or posting videos on social media, be respectful and tasteful with the animal.
Our public lands are one of the most special things about our country, and vital for wildlife conservation. It’s important that we do our best to protect these rights.
Chapter 5: Hidden Gems
The honey holes. The hidden gems.
Most hunters have e-scouting from the couch pretty mastered. You have your public land spots picked out and even some private land areas you’ve got some access to. How many times have you been ghosted by an elk or a big buck? Where do they go and how did they get the best of you? Honey holes.
Aside from using online mapping tools like HuntWise, or studying aerial maps, assessing habitats, and locating tough-to-access spots, you need to take it a step further. Some things you want to ask yourself. What kind of management practices are present in the surrounding area? What quality of elk or whitetails might be in the neighborhood? You’ll want to know these things before you go, especially if you’re a non-resident hunter.
Map Layers: BMA’s, SWA’s, QDMA Land, Public Access To Private Lands
Using the private property layer or any other tool that has GIS data, you can seek out land where hunting is prohibited or strongly regulated. City parks, church camps, boys ranch facilities, and private wildlife areas are all worth checking out.
Chapter 6: Hunting Maps and Apps
If you’re serious about hunting and want to maximize your time chasing big game, HuntWise has you covered. From planning out your deer/elk hunts to e-scouting, HuntWise can help you stay one step ahead with live weather reports, weather forecasts, sunrise/sunset times, and species-specific big game predictions.
Putting in the work can make all the difference when it comes to filling a tag. In the woods, strategy is key. Luckily, there are tools to make things a lot easier. Here is a look at the top tools in HuntWise to help prepare for, and improve, your hunting season.
Land Boundaries
It is crucial to know where land boundaries fall for public and private property. How do you find land? The easiest way to view public land is by using HuntWise maps. You can look at landowner boundaries, including state, federal, and all other public lands. Some public land may be "landlocked." You can easily find the right of way/easement access to get into this land on HuntWise Maps. See public and private land boundaries, plus landowner names and contact info.
Share With Your Friends
Planning a group hunt? This feature allows you to share your hunt area with friends so they can see all of your pins and waypoints. Markers are especially useful when hunting with your buddies since you can share them. In HuntWise, you can add photos and notes to markers for increased detail.
Offline Maps
“Offline your maps”, or save them, with all of the layers and features, to your phone so that you can use them wherever your hunt takes you. Even with no cell phone service, you can mark glassing points or where an animal went down.
