America’s public lands are a resource shared by everyone. onX Hunt’s Government Land maps makes accessing these areas easier than ever, but how do you know which are open for hunting and which are not?

The onX Hunt App indicates different types of Government land with colored overlays. This includes National Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, city parks, and more. Additionally, it includes over 100 million acres owned by Tribal Governments and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and over 20 million acres owned by the Department of Defense, which generally do not allow public hunting. onX Hunt will tell you which managing entity manages the land, but it’s up to you to be aware of the regulations and access restrictions. So, what’s the best way to find out?

A great place to start is your state’s Game & Fish or Department of Natural Resources website. Hunting regulations can vary greatly over time and from one area to another, so it’s a good idea to become familiar with these websites and learn how to find the regulations for the areas you plan to hunt. Check out our Government Lands FAQ for more information.

Other helpful resources:

– US Department of Interior Website
– US Forest Service Website
– Bureau of Land Management Website
– National Park Service Website

onX is passionate about ensuring access to lands that are open to the public. To this end, we are working closely with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership on projects to improve access to “landlocked” parcels of public land.

Whether you’re just getting into the sport or a seasoned pro, researching which areas are open for public hunting before your trip is crucial in ensuring you stay safe and legal. Making use of all the information available increases your odds of success, so do plenty of planning beforehand and make sure you know where you stand.