How to Find Public Hunting Land Near Me (Even Those Hidden Gems)

However, public land can sometimes be hit or miss as to the quality of the area, how crowded it is, and if you'll be able to bring home a big buck or gobbler. And, not everyone has access to nearby private land and the bounty those areas can often deliver.

What can you do if public land is your best bet? It's time to forget about the reputation of "public" land and instead focus on finding the best possible spot to harvest the wild game you're after this season.

Sometimes, public hunting land is what you make of it, and we have some tips to help you in your search for the best "public hunting land near me" (even those hidden gems).

What is "Public" Hunting Land?

First, let's talk about what "public" hunting land really is (and isn't).

It's probably not that empty field near your house where you saw a deer the other day. However, depending on where you live and what that field is, it could be! That's where the right research comes in.

Generally speaking, public hunting land is not privately owned by a specific landowner (like a person or business). It's typically owned by federal or state institutions and is available for hunting and other outdoor purposes.

These lands could include (but are not limited to):

• Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)
• Wildlife Refuges
• Wetlands
• Bureau of Land Management areas (BLMs)
• State Parks
• Designated Wilderness Areas

So, could some public hunting land be that empty field near your house? It could be, depending on how the land is managed and who owns it. Looking more into the area can tell if that specific field is available for hunting – or if other land nearby is the public hunting area you really need to hunt.

How to Find the Best Public Hunting Land Near Me

How can you learn more about nearby land? We recommend a few strategies for getting familiar with the area and finding the best places to hunt on public property.

1. Start With the Obvious

"Why don't you just Google it?"

No, seriously. Start with the obvious: do a Google search for "public hunting land near me."

While doing that might not lead you to the ideal spot right away, it's a good start to get an idea of what's around you so you can dig deeper using other resources to evaluate your options and narrow them down to the best possible locations for your next hunt.

You can also search state and federal websites for information about land open to the public for hunting. However, we don't recommend stopping there and putting a date on your calendar to grab your rifle and gear and head for a hunt.

Just because it's "public" and available for hunting doesn't mean you've found the "best" spot to ensure you tag out. You need to move on to the next step. 

2. Get an App

Beware: not all hunting apps are the same!

So, make sure you get the one that can deliver the insights you need to deep-dive into maps of nearby areas with multiple layers and resources, including 3D imagery.

Of course, we're talking about HuntWise.

You can proceed in a couple of ways here:
 

• Take the information you learned from your Google search and search for those spots in the app.
• Go straight to the app and start your search for nearby public hunting areas.

The map feature in the HuntWise app starts by focusing on your location with satellite map options. Depending on your subscription level, you can choose from the PRO Satellite, Satellite + Contours, Basic Satellite, or other USA Topo options.

From there, you can zoom in or out to see what's around you. You'll see your house, your neighbors' houses, and anything nearby.

Then, select the "Public Hunt Areas" map layer or any other map layers showing public access points, WMA areas, or similar resources and let the app work for you. You'll find areas that allow hunting and areas where it is not.

If no hunting is allowed, mark that location off your list of potential places to hunt.

HuntWise includes 650 map layers, so depending on where you live and the resources available for your state, you'll have plenty of options to choose from to get a good idea of what's around you and available for hunting.

3. Pick An Area and Dig Deeper

We know you're not looking for "just any" hunting area. You want a public spot that delivers plenty of animal activity with access points that help you get in and out easily – and delivers a harvested animal you can take with you on the way out.

You need to see potential bedding areas, food sources, travel corridors, and more. You also want to see potential spots for your tree stand or hunting blind that give you the best vantage point and shooting lanes for a clear shot.

HuntWise's topographical maps and contours are ideal for these deeper insights into public hunting areas you have your eye on. You'll have the most up-to-date satellite imagery for the United States in the palm of your hand.

Zoom in, scroll, and then mark what you'd like to investigate further when you're ready to scout in person – because while e-scouting (even with the ultimate hunting tool) can give you plenty of in-depth insights, it can only take you so far before you need to get out and scout the land in person.

4. Get Out and Scout

It's time for a walk!

If it's public land, you shouldn't need permission to scout it during the off-season. However, always check state or federal websites about access to make sure.

When you determine it's in the clear, grab your HuntWise app (including any maps and markers you've downloaded for offline use in case cell service is spotty outdoors), and plan a day or afternoon walking the area you pre-scouted in the app.

Now is the time to confirm what you've learned in the app.
 

• Look for those potential bedding areas or food sources, go back to your app, make notes, and adjust markers accordingly.
• Look for good trees to place your stand and mark those, too.
• Take notice of deer signs (scrapes, scat, trails, and more).

This is your time to get familiar with an area before other hunters get there. With HuntWise, you have an advantage over other hunters in learning about a hunting area and making a plan before opening the day.

Using HuntWise during the off-season is the best way to find those hidden gems of public hunting land near me. Even if it's not truly what you would consider a "gem," and maybe it's not exactly "hidden," by knowing the area, scouting your plan ahead of time, and applying strategies based on what you learn through scouting, you can improve your chances of success when you're afield.

You can also use WindCast and HuntCast to note the wind direction and animal predictions while you scout and compare it to updated information closer to opening day.

HuntWise also helps you during and after you send that kill shot. It's a full-spectrum resource for hunters.

Bonus Tip: Explore the HuntWise Community

HuntWise isn't just a "map app" – it's a full-blown hunting tool.

Within the app, you'll find a community of hunters posting successful hunting trips, sharing insights, and answering questions. Find other hunters in your area or state and see what they post about off-season and in-season topics. Learn from their experiences.

Outside the app, reach out to local hunters and get their insights on public hunting land in your area. Chances are, you know someone who hunts and can share tips for finding land and hunting successfully.

You may even find other nearby HuntWise users to share insights with from the app.

Find and Hunt Public Land Successfully This Season With HuntWise

Make this your best hunting season yet! With these tips and HuntWise, you are well-equipped to tag out and fill your freezer this season – even while hunting public land.

We know public hunting areas can sometimes be a gamble, but we believe with the right insights and resources, hunters can capitalize on opportunities other hunters may not realize are right around the corner.

So, if you don't yet have HuntWise, now is the best time to download it and put it to good use! We'll give you a week – free – to explore every feature we mentioned today (and many more we didn't talk about).

Then, take advantage of the off-season to scout with a Pro or Elite subscription and maximize your opportunities to tag out on public hunting land this season!