ShopWhere Can I Hunt?
Nearly every state across the pheasant range offers opportunities for good to excellent pheasant hunting on public land.
Great places to hunt pheasants, quail and other wild game exist all across the country, and with a little effort, both in research and exploration, you will be rewarded for your efforts. Every state has lands open to public hunting, and when combined with federal lands (such as Waterfowl Production Areas), public opportunities abound.
Over 60 percent of land in the United States is privately owned. If you own or have hunting access to private land, you know there are prime hunting opportunities to be had. Not in either of those categories? Don't let that deter you from trying to gain access on private land. Yes, some landowners will deny your request, but with persistence and a positive attitude, you'll ultimately find that many landowners are willing to let you hunt. Don't be surprised to make a few new friends in the process!
Seasoned pheasant hunters find that having a mix of public and private hunting opportunities marked on the map is the best recipe for success. Here are some good-to-know pointers to help you plan your next day afield.
Know your signage
- Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs)
- Federally owned and open to public hunting unless marked to the contrary.
- Steel shot only.
- Lands were purchased by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service through Federal Duck Stamp funds, conservation groups, Build a Wildlife Area campaign, etc.
- State-owned Public Hunting Areas
- Different names for these in different states: Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), Game Production Areas (GPAs), etc. Check your state's regulations to find out if there are state-owned public hunting areas.
- Lands purchased by state natural resource agencies, groups like Pheasants Forever, Build a Wildlife Area campaigns, etc.
- Walk-in Areas
- These are privately owned acres that state natural resource agencies have paid the landowner to open up to public hunting.
- Walk-in programs do not exist in every state and are called different names in each state. Check your state's regulations to find out if there are public hunting opportunities on private lands in your state.
Pheasants Forever Habitat Signs
- These signs are located on public & private lands.
- If on a WPA, WMA, GPA, etc., it's open to public hunting.
- If you don't see a WMA or WPA sign, you MUST ask permission. This is private land.
- Private land is where over 90% of our pheasant habitat is located thus our focus on private land is important to the health and sustainability of our pheasant populations.
No Trespassing MEANS NO TRESPASSING
- Check the Hunting Rules & Regs book for your state's trespassing laws.
- REMEMBER: the damage done by one who trespasses lasts for many years in the minds of a land owner.
Asking Permission: don't be afraid, but definitely be polite and courteous
- Never walk into standing crops
- Come bearing a gift and offer to share your take
- Say THANK YOU before AND after
Get a good Map
- A good hunting map highlights the lands open to public hunting (Wildlife Management Areas, Waterfowl Production Areas, Game Production Areas, Walk-in Areas, state forests, etc.).
- Sportsman's Connection www.Sportsmansconnection.com
- Delorme's Gazetteer
- County Plot Maps
- Minnesota DNR PRIM Maps (Public Recreation Inventory Map): regional maps available through DNR that are updated regularly with lots of content
- Some state natural resource agency web sites also can be excellent sources of public hunting land maps
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