Land Access | Game Changing Tips

Accessing land is one of the biggest challenges that hunters face today. Public access points, roads, and easements are not always easy to find or known by the public. Hunters must adapt to the increasing pressure on game animals on public land. Private land is controlled by the landowners and access is largely granted on the relationships between the hunter and landowner. While there are many national and state efforts ongoing to improve public land accessibility, each hunter must come up with their own strategy regarding land access for a successful hunting season. We’ve compiled a list of land access tips for public and private lands from our ambassadors and partners to help you find the perfect hunting spot!

Fisher Neal

Tip 1: Private Land Tip

Getting access to private land is all about relationships and trust. The best way for me has always been to connect with people at a social gathering through a friend's introduction. When I'm knocking on doors, the longer I can extend a conversation to build rapport before getting around to the "ask," the more success I have. 

Tip 2: Public Land Tip

My success with deer on public lands in New Jersey depends on finding ways to work around the heavy traffic from other hunters and hikers. A mapping app such as OnX is essential. I use it constantly for everything from locating prospective properties, to finding unconventional access points like dead end streets to get away from the crowd. After that, the most important thing is putting in the effort to find where the other hunters are pressuring the deer and then setting up where they have overlooked. Sometimes it is really close to a major parking lot, sometimes it is a mile in and up a steep hill, but you can only find out by putting on some boots and covering some ground.

Follow Fisher on Instagram @huntingactor

Doug Duren

Tip 1: What Makes a Good Guest?

As a landowner I have welcomed many hunters as guests to our farm. Folks who are invited, and who get invited back, have these qualities: 1. They have a genuine interest in conservation, no matter their level of expertise 2. They pitch in on the work of conservation, from simply picking up trash to lending a hand with projects on public or private land 3. They learn and follow the rules of the farm 4. They are ethical people and treat the land and its denizens with respect 5. They are supportive of their fellow hunters and fun to be around. 

Tip 2: How to Meet Landowners

Knocking on landowner doors can be intimidating, sending “cold call” letters is not very productive and no one wants to interrupt a farmer who is working. So where can you meet a landowner who might be interested in allowing access?

A great place to meet landowners is at “Field Days”.  Government agencies, non-profits and conservation organizations hold “Learn about Your Land Days” that target landowners and highlight conservation practices they can implement on their land. These events are usually open to anyone and are sometimes free, but always affordable. Access seekers can go to learn, ask questions and volunteer to help landowners with projects in exchange for access. Check with your local, state, and federal agencies and join chapters of groups like Pheasants Forever and American Forest Foundation.  

Follow Doug Duren on Instagram @dougduren

Felix Hernandez

Being a good steward of the land has always been a priority. As a father, it is imperative that we guide our kids and the youth in a positive direction. With the advances of technology, I find that the youth is experiencing trouble with communication and social interactions with one another. As a parent, I know how important these skills are when hunters and anglers are interacting with the community. Being a good steward of the land involves your kids. It is our responsibility to teach our kids about ethical procedures, respecting the land, safety and how to positively interact with the non-hunting community.  Our children pick up on our habits and we must set the example anytime we are enjoying the outdoors. When exploring with my child, I always promote the following practices.

1. Always leave the area better than you found it. We clean up after ourselves and pick up any extra waste we might find in the area.
2. Always follow firearm safety procedures. Whether we are hunting or target practicing, we always follow the 5 principles of firearm safety.
3. Always follow ethical practices. Our conduct and behaviors do not only reflect our selves, but also our community. Any behaviors can negatively or positively affect hunters or firearm enthusiasts.

When I take my son on adventures I attempt to provide different opportunities for him to see and work on these skills. Venturing with your kids can also improve your land access opportunities. When asking landowners for hunting access, they may be more inclined to allow access because they see a parent who cares enough to involve their kids in carrying on a hunting tradition. You are showing your child the correct steps taken in to increase access and how to positively interact with the community. Being a good steward of the land took on a new meaning when I became a father. It has allowed me to become a better person and role model for my child.

Follow Felix on Instagram @el_tayo_jaguarpaw

Eastmans’ Hunting Journals

One of the best tips for accessing public land and obtaining permission to hunt private land is to respect the land and the landowner.  We all have a vested interest because that landowner may be a rancher, or you as a public landowner.  Private land open for public access to public land was vital in helping me access land to take this pronghorn last fall. - Brandon Mason

Follow the Eastmans on Instagram @eastmanshuntingjournals

Allie Butler

When it comes to hunting public or private grounds the most important thing you can do is have a good access. These can be crucial to harvesting big game such as deer in particular.  Sometimes on public hunting ground every hunter uses the same access trails. Finding a creek or water right off the road that is also downwind from bedding areas is a perfect quick and easy corridor to access your spot without getting busted. Using creeks as access washes away any scent left behind while also covering your sound if the creek is flowing with water. 

Follow Allie on Instagram @alliebutler

Lee & Tiffany Lakosky

Hosts of The Crush with Lee & Tiffany

Growing up in the city of Minneapolis, we didn’t know anyone with hunting property, and no one in our family owned any hunting property, so it wasn’t like we had any great places to hunt. Even though we lived in the city, we didn’t have to go that far to find good spots on the outskirts of town, seldom no more than 30 miles from home and most landowners were open to letting us hunt on their property. Here are a few simple tips that helped then and should still help today. 

Tip 1: These days no one wants anyone knocking on their door much less opening it when they see a stranger that’s not a delivery service. Make a strong first impression by being polite and respectful. Leave a business card and/or references. Most state’s DNR sites have a Courtesy Hunting Permission Form with the DNR emblem on it which helps to professionalize the request.  Sometimes mailing or leaving a letter might be a less intrusive way of asking. Perhaps bring some summer sausage or homemade venison jerky with you to give as a thank you for their time and consideration.

Tip 2: What NOT to do is send a DM on social media. As easy as social media has made it to communicate, this is probably the least effective way to ask as it shows the least amount of effort and thought. 

Tip 3: Ask to help with any outdoor tasks the landowner may need tackled. Repairing a gate, fence, lawnmower, chopping firewood; you never know what someone may need help with and in return this builds trust and good faith. 

Tip 4: Always leave the land better than you found it. Take a trash bag with you and pick up any litter you come across. 

Tip 5: After you have been granted permission and your hunt is over, be creative with your thank you. Chances are you’ll have a camera with you to take a few images of something that may be meaningful to the landowner such as the sunset from their property or of the wildlife on it and make a print for them as a thank you.  

Follow Lee and Tiffany on Instagram @thecrushtv

Sam Soholt

Access by way of water. This is not a new technique by any means, but if you a use canoe, kayak, paddle board, or other small vessel, you can get to some hard to reach places. 

Follow Sam on Instagram @samsoholt

Mike Stroff

Host of Savage Outdoors and The One

Tip 1: Advice on Dealing with Landowners 

If you find a good place to hunt and are able to get access to hunt the property. Remember, you are probably not the only person that has ask to hunt that property and even if you are, you will not be the last person to ask. Make yourself of use to the landowner when time allows. This will make you different or set yourself apart from all the other people asking to hunt their property. Some examples of what I am talking about is maybe mowing roads on the property to make access easier, helping the owner with fence repairs when you see there is an issue, showing up for their branding to help and always working to leave the property better than you found it! 

Tip 2: Finding Access

There so many good apps out there today to help you find good public and private hunting areas. One thing you should always be aware of is private landowner rights and doing everything you can to make sure if you are hunting public land that you know where these boundaries are. Most landowners won't take the excuse of you didn't know you had wondered off the public land, or you thought this was public land. It is your responsibility to find the public land and proper access points. Take the time to do it right! Apps like hunt stand or OnX are great tools for this! Try to get off the beaten paths and places with easy access. You might have to walk a little, but you might find some great hunting if you just go where other people don't have the grit to go!

Follow Mike on Instagram @savageoutdoors_theone 

Lyndsey Braun

As a female hunter, it can be intimidating knocking on stranger’s doors to ask permission to hunt or forage. This is one of the reasons I encourage you to become active in Sharing the Land. Sharing the Land is conservation cooperators network connecting landowners with access seekers who are willing to trade work for access. They help you build a conservation resume with a portfolio of your interests and skills to connect you with the appropriate cooperating landowner in a conservation-based ethos. 

Follow Lyndsey on Instagram @bayrosee

Sallie Doty

When looking at public hunting ground, find well established roosting trees. If there is a small field nearby even better! Turkeys love to eat and strut in these open fields as their feathers shine in the sun. You will get an amazing hunt and a beautiful show! 

Follow Sallie on Instagram @sallie_doty