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Home / Hunting / Hunting On Public Lands: What To Do Before Going Out To Hunt?

Hunting On Public Lands: What To Do Before Going Out To Hunt?

Last Updated on 01/03/2024 by Brian John

It's no secret that hunting is a big part of life in rural America, but with the changing times and regulations, it can sometimes be challenging to find some of the old ways. 

Hunting on public land can benefit hunters because they want to pursue large game animals such as elk but cannot find elk enough on private property due to low populations.

Sometimes, though, you just have to know “What to do before going out to hunt.” Nowadays, local land managers do not just give out hunting licenses when a hunter heads into public lands where hunting is allowed. 

So before heading out on your hunt for a wild game, try these tips and learn what it takes to be successful.

Table of Contents

  1. 5 Essential Things To Prepare Before A Hunting Trip On Public Lands
    1. Take a hunting course
    2. Explore hunting areas
    3. Check the weather and terrain
    4. Prepare necessary equipment
    5. Hunting license 
  2. Types Of Public Lands That You Can Go Out To Hunt
  3. Types Of Animals That You Can Hunt On America's Public Areas
  4. Conclusion

5 Essential Things To Prepare Before A Hunting Trip On Public Lands

Take a hunting course

Hunting safety is an important topic for many hunters. Therefore, it’s crucial to be educated about the dangers of hunting and take classes about hunting safety before you go out in the field. 

In some states, hunting safety certs are required before a hunter can purchase or carry firearms. In addition, several reputable organizations offer hunting training courses such as the U.S., Fish and Game Department, North American Hunting Club, National Rifle Association of America, etc.

Explore hunting areas

The first rule of survival as a hunter is to scout the area before hunting. This ensures that you have insight into what's around you and will prepare you for any eventuality. Scout the area just as if you were an animal, but with one significant difference: use your eyes and your brain instead of just your ears or nose.

Inspect the ground for clues about where smaller animals might be hiding or which direction larger prey might have gone if it heard or smelled your approach. Keep an eye on vegetation to see if there’s been recent movement through the undergrowth and listen carefully for rustling that indicates prey close by. These signs will give you all the information that you need before going in after the game.

Read More: Hunting Regulations Publication - Important Things You Need To Know 

Check the weather and terrain

Hunters hunt in all sorts of weather, so it is vital to prepare accordingly. Climate changes all the time, and conditions can vary drastically depending on where you are. So it never hurts to get a bit extra preparedness just in case.

Moreover, maps are essential when you're hunting because if you lose your way, which is likely to happen, you can find your way back home or get back to the correct location.

There are three categories of maps. First is a topographic map, which shows you the land and artificial constructions such as roads, rivers, and bridges. This type of map is best for hunters who prefer to be in a group since it makes it easier to navigate.

The second category is a road map or highway map. This type of map shows you the roads and highways, such as state highways and interstate highways. It is best for hunters who do not like to be in a group and prefer to go independently.

The third type of map is the local map, which displays roads, rivers, and artificial constructions. Regional maps are best for hunters who don't mind being by themselves or hunting alone.

Prepare necessary equipment

Every hunter should prepare themselves with the right equipment. If you’re going to be outside and come into contact with wildlife, you must take the required precautions. To do this, you should come to the market with a good quality rifle, binoculars, and other hunting supplies that can help you increase your chances of success.

It’s important to make sure your device is in good working condition when hunting, especially if you’re using expensive high-tech gear. Check the weather and plan accordingly for rain or extreme temperatures. You may need a waterproof backpack if it is already raining, or wear something warmer than a t-shirt if it's freezing outside.

Further reading: 10 Best Tips For Prevention Against Careless Behavior When Hunting

Hunting license 

Hunting is a popular activity in both the United States and Canada, but some rules must be followed. For example, a license is needed for non-commercial hunting of migratory waterfowl, game birds, furbearers, upland game birds, and other small game animals in North America and sport fishing.

If you plan to hunt on public lands, you will need a hunting license and permission from the managing authority. Hunting regulations vary by state or province, so make sure you know before hunting on public land.

Types Of Public Lands That You Can Go Out To Hunt

Public land is owned by the government of a particular country, state, province, county, or municipality. It includes national parks and forests where hunting and fishing are allowed.

The public lands that you can prey on, in order of population density, are:

  • National Parks (76 areas)
  • National Wildlife Refuges ( 336 areas)
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wetlands Management Districts (36)
  • BLM Managed Public Lands (221 million acres) 
  • Bureau of Reclamation Managed Public Lands(2.25 billion acres). 

That's all public lands the average person can legally hunt on! Add this up with the many other private hunting areas along the way, and it's easy to see that there is a lot to choose from.

It might be helpful to contact your local government for any additional information about what area you can hunt on the site and if it's covered under any state or federal laws.

Types Of Animals That You Can Hunt On America's Public Areas

There are a few different types of animals you can hunt in the USA, depending on your state. Roughly half of all United States states allow hunting for small game such as deer and turkey.

You may even be able to hunt other large animals as well, such as bears or elks. You will need to check with your state Department of Natural Resources or Division if you live in one of these states with a population high enough to support these species' populations (Montana for grizzlies).

Public land managers must take steps to ensure that any harvesting done does not negatively affect the balance between wildlife populations and their habitat.

Here is a video by The Hunting Public showing us the TOP 10 PUBLIC LAND Tactics for Whitetails!:


Conclusion

To sum up, I would say that it is crucial to know “What to do before going out to hunt.” This article gives you a brief overview of what they are and how following them will help you to have an enjoyable experience as a hunter. 

I hope that these pieces of advice have been helpful in some way and allows you to avoid any problems while out hunting next time.

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