Field Notes

Welcome to Field Notes, the official blog of LandsToHunt. Here, we share tips, maps, and real-world insights to help public land hunters plan smarter, hunt harder, and explore farther. From DIY elk strategies to hidden turkey hotspots, our posts are built for those who chase opportunity — not permission.

How to Read Public Land Hunting Maps Like a Pro

If you're hunting public land, your map isn't just a tool — it's your secret weapon. Whether you're chasing bugling elk in the backcountry or patterning whitetails in Midwest woodlots, knowing how to read topographic and land ownership maps can make or break your hunt.

Here’s how to unlock what the map is really telling you — and use it to gain an edge on pressured game.

1. Know Your Public Land Layers

Start with a reliable mapping app like OnX Hunt, HuntStand, or Gaia GPS. Enable these essential layers:

• Land Ownership: Know where public land starts and ends (BLM, state forests, WMAs, etc.).

• Access Points – Trails, gates, roads, parking lots

• Game Units – Helps match your tag to the right hunt area

• Private-In-Public (Inholdings) – Avoid trespassing and use edges to your advantage

Tip: Cross-check with state agency maps for walk-in access programs and specific regulations.

2. Read Topo Lines Like a Wildlife Biologist

Contour lines = elevation. The tighter they are, the steeper the terrain.

• Benches & Saddles: Prime travel corridors for deer and elk

• Drainages & Creek Bottoms: Water, bedding, and thermal cover

• Ridges: Great for glassing and mid-day travel

• North vs. South Facing Slopes: South slopes = sun = warmth. North slopes = cool = bedding.

Pro Move: Mark a spot where two habitat edges meet — like a bench near a water source — and watch the patterns unfold.

3. Use Aerial & Satellite Layers to Your Advantage

Sometimes topo isn’t enough — that’s where satellite views shine:

• Look for browse edges: Transitions between fields, cuts, and forests

• Identify feeding vs. bedding zones

• Find hidden meadows, water holes, or burns

Combine this with trail cam data or e-scouting pins to form a real hunt plan.

4. Understand Access & Pressure

Public hunting success often depends on how far you’re willing to go. Use maps to:

• Pin trailheads and lesser-known entry routes

• Find landlocked parcels with legal walk-in access

• Analyze where most hunters go — and go somewhere else

Rule of thumb: Most hunters stay within ½ mile of the road. Go a mile in, and you’re hunting different animals.

5. Build a Layered Strategy

Combine these map layers to hunt smarter:

• Use public land overlays to find legal spots

• Study terrain for travel routes

• Analyze food, bedding, and cover transitions

• Confirm access routes and backup plans

Then, save offline maps and mark up your spots like a general preparing for war.

Final Thoughts

Your map is your game plan, your scout, and your lifeline — all in one. Learn to read it like a biologist and move through it like a predator.

Need maps, agency links, or public access info by state?
Start with our State-by-State Directory and plan your next DIY hunt today.

Beginner’s Guide to Hunting Public Land

Thinking about hunting public land for the first time? You're not alone. Every year, more DIY hunters are heading into the woods, marshes, and mountains to chase game without needing private land access or expensive leases.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know to get started — with tips that work whether you're chasing whitetails in the Midwest or ducks in the Delta.

What Is Public Hunting Land?

Public hunting land is any property that’s legally open to hunting and owned or managed by government agencies. These can include:

• WMAs (Wildlife Management Areas)

• National Forests

• BLM Land (Bureau of Land Management)

• State Forests

• Walk-in Areas (private lands enrolled in public access programs)

You don’t need a lease or permission. You need a valid license and to follow the rules.

Why Hunt Public Land?

• Low cost: No need to pay to hunt

• High challenge: Deer and elk here don’t come easy

• Big opportunity: Millions of acres are legally huntable

If you’re willing to scout, hike, and hunt smart, public land can be more rewarding than any guided trip.

Tools for Scouting Public Land

Digital scouting is the new edge. Use these tools to find land, read terrain, and mark your access points:

• OnX Hunt or HuntStand – Mobile maps with land ownership and layers

• LandsToHunt.com – Directory of all 50 states with links to maps, regulations, and agencies

• Google Earth – 3D satellite views to plan entry routes, glassing spots, and escape paths

Species to Start With

Some game animals are better suited for first-time public land hunters:

• Whitetail Deer – Midwest & Southeast WMAs and state forests

• Turkey – Nearly every state offers spring season on public land

• Small Game (squirrel, rabbit) – Great for learning without pressure

• Doves – Early season action on open fields

Licenses, Tags & Regulations

Every state is different, but these tips apply everywhere:

• Buy the proper license (resident or nonresident)

• Check season dates and game limits

• Some areas require a WMA or public land access permit

• Read the hunting digest for special rules (firearms, blaze orange, etc.)

You can find all this info linked from your state’s page in our Public Hunting Directory.

Final Tips for First-Time Public Land Hunters

• Go early and scout before the season

• Always have a Plan B spot (or C… or D)

• Stay mobile: patterns change fast on pressured land

• Follow wind, thermals, and access routes like a chess player

• Pack light, hunt smart, and respect other hunters

🔗 Ready to hunt? Browse game-specific guides on what-do-want-to-hunt

Top States for Deer Hunting on Public Lands

Best States for Deer Hunting on Public Lands

Looking to tag a buck without breaking the bank? Public land whitetail and mule deer hunting has never been more accessible — if you know where to look. From vast national forests to state-managed WMAs, these states offer incredible deer hunting opportunities for DIY and budget-conscious hunters.

1. Wisconsin – Whitetail Heaven in the Northwoods

With over 6 million acres of public land, Wisconsin is a premier destination for public land deer hunters. National forests like Chequamegon-Nicolet, plus county forests and managed properties, offer a mix of hardwood ridges, agricultural edges, and swamp bottom habitat. Archery, firearm, and muzzleloader seasons are generous.

Bonus: Many counties offer bonus buck tags.

2. Idaho – Public Land Mule Deer Opportunities

Idaho’s mix of BLM land, state forests, and national forests makes it one of the best Western states for both mule and whitetail deer. General season tags are available for residents and some nonresident units. Expect big country, rugged terrain, and the need for solid e-scouting.

Top Region: Panhandle and Clearwater units.

3. Kansas – Walk-In Access Meets Monster Bucks

Kansas may be private-heavy, but it shines thanks to its Walk-In Hunting Access (WIHA) program, which opens over 1 million acres to public hunting. Combine that with large-bodied bucks, relatively low pressure, and draw-based archery tags, and it’s a top choice for mobile whitetail hunters.

Plan ahead: Nonresident archery permits require a spring application.

4. Missouri – Conservation Areas & Long Seasons

Missouri’s Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) manages over 1 million acres of open hunting land, including Conservation Areas (CAs), WMAs, and Forest Service land in the Ozarks. Archery and firearms seasons are lengthy, and regulations are straightforward.

Tip: Explore north-central Missouri for quality deer density and mixed terrain.

5. Ohio – The Underrated Powerhouse

Ohio might not be as big and wild as the Western states, but its state forests, public wildlife areas, and reclaimed mining lands offer excellent whitetail habitat. Its reputation for producing big-bodied, mature bucks continues to grow — and tags are affordable.

Hotspot: Wayne National Forest and southeastern counties.

Honorable Mentions:

• Kentucky – Long archery season & public elk zones

• Illinois – Great late-season hunts on public managed areas

• Georgia – It has a Surprisingly solid WMA system for whitetail

Final Thoughts

If you're willing to put in the scouting time and hunt hard, public land deer hunting is one of the most rewarding ways to fill your freezer — and your soul. These states give you the best shot at success without needing a lease or private land connection.

Want maps, links, and regulations for each state?
Head to our Public Hunting Directory to start planning your hunt.

When & Where to Hunt Elk on Public Land

Planning a DIY elk hunt this fall? We break down which states offer the best access, tag opportunities, and success for public land elk hunters.

Top OTC Elk Hunting States

• Colorado: Most elk, most access

• Idaho: Steep country, good opportunity

• Oregon: Roosevelt vs. Rocky

• Utah (general units): Limited but available

States with Draw Tags Worth Applying For

• Arizona: Trophy bulls, tough draw

• New Mexico: Quality and variety

• Nevada: Remote, low pressure

• Wyoming: Point building matters

Best Times to Hunt Elk

• September: Archery during the rut

• October: Rifle post-rut (varies by state)

• November–December: Late-season cow hunts

Tools for Success

Check out our Public Land Elk Hunting Directory