Best States for DIY Public Land Hunts in 2025

Best States for DIY Public Land Hunts in 2025

Doing it yourself—on public land, on your own time, and on a tight budget—is more than possible in 2025. It’s thriving. Across the country, public access has expanded, over-the-counter tags are still within reach, and mobile hunters are cracking codes with smart scouting, map tech, and backcountry grit.

Here’s a breakdown of the best states for DIY public land hunts in 2025, based on opportunity, affordability, access, and success potential.

🦌 1. Colorado – OTC Elk & Epic Terrain

📍 Best For: Archery Elk (OTC), High Country Mule Deer (draw), DIY adventure

✅ Why It’s Great:

• Huge amount of public land: 23+ million acres of National Forest

• Over-the-counter (OTC) archery elk tags still available in multiple units

• Accessible alpine and timberline terrain for spot-and-stalk

❗ Know This:

• High hunting pressure in OTC zones—scouting and mobility = success

• Terrain is physically demanding—train hard pre-season

🎙️ “We glassed 17 elk in two days. Came out with a rag bull on Day 4—just boots, binos, and drive.”
— Riley T., Missouri

🦌 2. Kentucky – Early Velvet Whitetails

📍 Best For: Archery Whitetail (early opener), public crop fields

✅ Why It’s Great:

• September 7th archery opener—earliest velvet season in the East

• High-quality bucks and generous tag structure

• Affordable non-resident license & tons of walk-in land

❗ Know This:

• Visibility is limited—focus on clear cuts, creek-bottoms, and oak edges

• Thermals are tricky in the heat—hunt smart, not sweaty

🎙️ “I shot a velvet 10-pointer off public soybeans on September 9th. All from a saddle and a week of glassing.”
— Josh W., Indiana

🐗 3. Texas – Feral Hogs & Exotics on Draw Hunts

📍 Best For: Year-round DIY hogs, occasional exotic (aoudad, axis) via Texas Public Hunt Program

✅ Why It’s Great:

• Massive Annual Public Hunting Permit access (APHP)

• Plenty of day-use lands for hogs year-round

• Low-cost draw hunts for aoudad, exotics, javelina

❗ Know This:

• Most properties require pre-hunt orientation or check-in

• Some hunts are assigned by lottery—not all are true walk-in

🎙️ “Four of us killed hogs on a weekend hunt in South Texas. $48 permit, and we hunted 8,000 acres on foot.”
— Morgan L., Arkansas

🦃 4. Nebraska – Public Land Whitetails & Turkeys

📍 Best For: Bowhunting whitetail and Rio turkeys on river bottoms

✅ Why It’s Great:

• Walk-In Access (WIA) expands annually—especially in SE & central counties

• OTC deer and turkey tags available

• Low hunting pressure in mid-week windows

❗ Know This:

• Crop rotation can drastically affect patterns year-to-year

• Early season heat and ag timing are key to planning

🎙️ “Public birds gobbled all day—brought one in to 12 yards at 10AM. The deer were on the same trail 30 minutes later.”
— Rachel H., Kansas

🦌 5. Idaho – Elk, Whitetail, Bear, and Wolves

📍 Best For: OTC backcountry elk + combo tags for multiple species

✅ Why It’s Great:

• Some of the most generous tag combos in the West

• Whitetail hunting in the Panhandle rivals Midwest numbers

• Wolves, bear, and deer can be added for $40–$80 each

❗ Know This:

• Tag sales open early and sell out fast—plan ahead for controlled units

• Steep, remote country can be both a challenge and an advantage

🎙️ “I punched an elk tag in the Selway on Day 5—and had two bear opportunities I never even expected.”
— Mike D., Oregon

🦃 6. South Dakota – Prairie Birds & Deer Variety

📍 Best For: Merriam turkeys, pronghorn archery, public land whitetails

✅ Why It’s Great:

• Vast Walk-In Areas and Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA)

• Tags available OTC for archery deer and upland birds

• Public birds in prairie country with low hunter density

❗ Know This:

• Some public areas are heavily pressured on weekends—hunt mid-week

• Private land borders = e-scouting must be precise

🎙️ “Three jakes strutted past me at 9AM in 30 mph wind. South Dakota is underrated.”
— Brian E., Minnesota

🧭 Honorable Mentions (Fast Tags or Unique Opportunity)

🧠 DIY Planning Pro Tips

✔️ Start with the Tag – Know your odds, cost, and open units
✔️ Use Map Layers – OnX, BaseMap, HuntStand to scout pressure and terrain
✔️ Read Forums & Reports – Public land forums often hold gold
✔️ Train for Terrain – Elevation or heat will expose the unprepared
✔️ Keep it Light & Legal – Mobile setups, scent-free gear, updated regs

🎙️ “DIY hunting isn’t about saving money—it’s about earning your story, your buck, and your memory on your terms.”
— Cole N., Outfitter-Turned-Backpacker

📣 Top Tools for DIY Public Hunters

• Apps: OnX Hunt, HuntStand, GOHUNT Insider, iSportsman

• Gear: Frame pack, saddle system, solar charger, digital punch tags

• Communities: Rokslide, HuntTalk, DIY Hunter Nation, SaddleHunter

🌟 Final Shot: Your Hunt, Your Rules, Their Land

DIY public land hunting is more accessible than ever. Tags are still available. Maps are better than they’ve ever been. And with a bit of hustle, some glass, and a good pack—you can turn any state into a success story in 2025.

“Public doesn’t mean crowded. It means possible.”