Everything You Need to Start Hunting on Public Land

If you’re new to public land hunting, or just used to having your own spot with a gate and a lock, it can feel like stepping into the wild west. And in a way, it is. But the thing about public land is — it’s yours. Mine. Ours. You just need to put in a little work to earn it.

I hunt public land all over Northern California, mostly in Tahoe National Forest and around Lake Berryessa. I’ve had days where everything went right, and plenty where it all fell apart. Like that time I went deer hunting in Tahoe, camped at 4,000 feet with no cold weather gear, and froze my ass off in a tent. Called it quits before the sun even came up. You learn quick out here.

Know the Rules Before You Go
This isn’t the kind of hunt where you can just show up and wing it. Public land is managed by different agencies — state wildlife departments, the U.S. Forest Service, BLM, and others. That means every piece has its own rules.

Start by hitting up your state’s fish and wildlife site. Most have downloadable maps and brochures. Apps like OnX Hunt and HuntStand can show property boundaries, walk-in access areas, and even layers for recent burns or elevation — super helpful if you're trying to find that hidden back corner no one wants to hike to.

Check your hunting license requirements and see if you need special permits or draw tags (especially for big game like elk or mule deer). For example, in California, you’ll need an A-zone tag for deer, and turkey requires your upland game bird stamp.

Gear That Matters (and What Doesn’t)
Here’s the truth: no one cares what brand your camo is on public land. What matters is that you’re comfortable, quiet, and prepared to walk farther than you thought you would.

Bring gear that’s proven and that you’ve tested — not stuff you just pulled the tags off of. You’ll need:

A weapon you’ve actually practiced with (zeroed rifle, tuned bow, or smooth shotgun setup)

A good pair of boots that won’t destroy your feet by mile two

Layers that breathe and don’t swish like a windbreaker in a hurricane

A sharp knife and a game bag (because gutting a bird or field dressing a deer without one is a mess)

Compass/GPS and a backup battery for your phone

Don’t overload your pack. Most of the time, you’re walking in deep and trying to stay quiet. Every ounce counts.

Scouting: Where the Work Pays Off
This is the real key to public land success. Animals don’t just hang out in the first meadow past the parking lot.

Start with digital scouting. OnX Hunt is gold here — mark bedding areas, travel corridors, water, and hard-to-reach spots that others might skip. Look for terrain features like saddles, benches, and pinch points that funnel movement.

Then, get out there. Off-season scouting can tell you a ton. Look for fresh sign: tracks, scat, rubs, wallows, dust bowls. And take notes — wind direction, nearby food sources, entry/exit routes. The more time you spend understanding the area, the more you’re stacking the odds in your favor.

Timing is Everything
You’re not just hunting animals — you’re working around other hunters too. Getting there early helps, but so does going deeper and staying longer. I’ve seen plenty of deer and turkey move after most hunters pack it in around mid-morning. Midday hunting works.

And if you’re hunting pressured land, weekdays are gold. Less traffic. Less noise. More opportunity.

Mindset and Ethics Matter
You’re probably not going to limit out on day one. That’s okay. Public land rewards persistence. Stay patient. Adapt to what you’re seeing. Learn every time you go out.

And remember: public land isn’t just yours. Give other hunters space. Pack out what you pack in. Help when you can. There’s no trophy worth acting like a jerk over.

Final Thoughts
Public land hunting isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it. There’s something different about filling a tag on ground that’s open to anyone — knowing you scouted, worked, and earned every bit of it.

You don’t need to spend thousands or know a guy with 500 acres. You just need to be willing to hike a little farther, think a little harder, and stay out a little longer.

If you do that, you’ll get more than a harvest. You’ll earn a real connection to the hunt — and that’s what keeps us coming back.

So yeah… lace up, load up, and get after it.