How to Find Public Land to Hunt: Free Tools for New Hunters

The Major Categories of Public Hunting Land

State Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)

WMAs are state-managed lands acquired specifically to provide public hunting access. Every state has them. Most WMAs are open to licensed hunters for free; a few require a separate WMA access stamp ($5–$15/year). Find your state's WMA map on your wildlife agency website — always the best starting point for first-timers.

National Forests

National Forests (managed by USDA Forest Service) total 193 million acres across 44 states and are generally open to hunting with a valid state license. No additional federal permit is required for most hunting in National Forests. Access maps at fs.usda.gov.

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land

BLM manages 245 million acres — primarily in western states — and the land is open to hunting with a valid state license in most areas. Find maps at blm.gov or through the onX Hunt app.

National Wildlife Refuges

About 380 of the 568 National Wildlife Refuges permit some form of hunting. Many offer excellent waterfowl hunting. Each refuge has its own permit structure — some require a refuge-specific permit in addition to state and federal licenses. Search at fws.gov/hunting for refuge-specific rules.

Free Digital Tools for Finding Public Land

Walk-In Access Programs

Several states operate Walk-In Hunting Access (WIHA) programs that pay private landowners to open their land to public hunters during designated seasons. States with active walk-in programs include Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Minnesota. Find walk-in maps through your state wildlife agency — typically updated each season as free PDF downloads or app layers.