How to Use a Hunting App for Better Hunts on Public Land

At this point in the year, you're so close to deer season that you're sitting by the door in your hunting camo with your gear, just waiting for opening day. Perhaps you've already been out scouting and prepping for the season by placing your stand, checking your trail cams, and getting your bow or firearm ready for a busy season.

Have you used a hunting app to plan your upcoming (or past) hunts? Did you use one to e-scout your tree stand placement or plan your first hunt this season? Is it worth the hassle (and expense) of a subscription and dealing with technology while out in the woods on a hunt? 

If you're not using a hunting app, you're missing out on the benefits of using hunting apps (specifically HuntWise) for a better hunt — yes, even on public land. Here are eight tips to help you get the most out of an app (and tag out) this season.

Updated May 27, 2026

How to Use a Hunting App for Public Land Hunting (8 Tips)

So, let's not let another hunter take your buck this season. 

Next, we share a few tips for using an app like HuntWise on public land. Whether you're new to these types of apps or you've had HuntWise or another app for a while and are ready to get more out of it, check these out.

1. Use Topographical Mapping Layers to Find (and Rule Out) Hunting Areas

Walking the terrain is probably the most accurate way to really get a feel for the land, but it's also time-consuming.

Don't get us wrong, you need to get out and scout with boots on the ground. However, depending on where you hunt, you probably don't have enough time before or during hunting season to travel all of it by foot — and not all of it is worth your travels anyway.

Using topographic map layers cuts down on the amount of terrain you need to cover to fine-tune your scouting and planning for hunting day. In the HuntWise app, for example, you can toggle on different 3-D topos, then pinch and scroll through public hunting lands to get the lay of the land. This allows you to rule out areas that probably don't have any deer bedding or feeding areas or aren't likely travel corridors or pinch points, so you don't have to spend precious time walking terrain that isn't worth your time.

Digital scouting can help you rule out public spots that probably won't produce a buck while focusing on other areas you should scout on foot to inform your hunt.

2. Find Potentially Low-Pressure Hunting Areas

You want to hunt where others aren't hunting. Can an app tell you where that is?

Potentially!

Using those topographical maps and learning how to use mapping layers like Hillshade (LiDAR) in the HuntWise app, you can find spots that could be difficult for your average hunter to access but that you're willing to get into if it looks like a spot where deer might also be.

Barriers like thick woods, waterways, or changing elevations may eliminate some hunters who aren't willing to or simply can't trek through those conditions. However, if you can spot those areas while digitally scouting and you're up for the challenge, you could find yourself in a low-pressure public hunting area on a great day to tag out.

Watch the video below to learn how to use map layers in HuntWise!

3. Find Pinch Points

What is a pinch point? These land characteristics force deer to travel into confined areas to get from one point to another, like a bedding area to a feeding area.

Pinch points can be low areas (like valleys or creek beds), a saddle between two ridges, "benches" or "roads" on the side of steeper terrain, or "bowls" that dig into the side of a hill. Essentially, it's land or water that limits the travel options for deer, compared to an open field or forest where animals can roam more freely to get from point to point.

Why do we care about pinch points? They can be excellent areas to set up shop and wait for deer to come by, as they have no other nearby options to get to where they're headed.

What's the best way to find a pinch point when public land hunting? Use a hunting app that offers a LiDAR view (like HuntWise). This takes the guesswork out of the lay of the land and helps you know exactly where to set up for a successful day in the field without having to walk the area and hope you find one of these prime spots.

4. Mark Your Territory with Hunt Areas

With all the information you get from the mapping and GPS features in your app, you won't be able to remember it all when it's opening day, and you're in the thick of a hunt.

The good news is that the only thing you need to remember is to log into your app when you're ready to hunt! With markers in HuntWise (for example), you can mark everything you find interesting or helpful on your maps, like potential bedding spots, pinch points, entry or entry points, and more.

When scouting in person, you can also mark what you see IRL (in real life), like scat, scrapes, sheds, and other deer sign.

You can also mark your hunting area and then share the location and markers with your hunting buddies to get everyone on the same page.

Learn how to set up your Hunt Areas in HuntWise in the video below!

5. Smell Ya Later by Hunting the Wind

Whether you use an app or not, the wind can either be your friend or your foe in the field.

Since deer have an incredible sense of smell, you need to know how the wind will impact the area you've scouted and plan to hunt on the day you plan to hunt. Staying downwind is crucial — and without an app, you are pretty much at the mercy of the way the wind blows based on licking your finger and sticking it up in the air while you're out, then hoping you're already downwind.

With an app, you know how the wind blows before you get to your hunting area. With HuntWise and the WindCast feature, you can plan your day and how and where you enter your stand or blind based on the app's forecasting — so deer smell ya later (or never) while you spot them from your hiding spot and take your shot.

Check out the video below to learn how to use WindCast when planning your hunt!

6. Plan a Rut Hunt

You can assume the rut will happen each season around the same time (because it typically does). However, you can't always assume the activity you'll see in a specific public hunting area is the same every season unless you're out there every day to see it.

Herein lies another advantage for hunters when using an app that helps predict deer movement and activity before, during, and after the rut. The RutCast feature in the HuntWise app helps you plan a rut hunt using real-time data and weather forecasting — on a county-by-county level.

This means you can analyze the rut this season based on the county where you plan to public land hunt, then time your hunt with these insights. If you've never hunted the rut before, this is the best way to do it!

7. Go Offline

Getting out into the field is synonymous with getting into nature: disconnecting, breathing fresh air, and getting offline.

But what about your maps? All the work you've put into marking your public hunting area and points of interest is "hunting technology." You can't very well transfer that to a Mapsco or print it out from MapQuest and bring noisy papers with you into your hunting blind.

(Of course, if you're old enough to know what Mapsco or MapQuest is, you could be in the camp of "less is more" when it comes to digital technology in the field.)

Disconnecting and keeping your maps and markers offline is no issue with HuntWise. You can download your maps to use offline, so you have all of the information you need from e-scouting while in the field without staying connected to the world!

8. Get Geared Up with HuntWise Discounts

Wait, how does a hunting app help you get gear? We can't speak for all hunting apps, but HuntWise offers discounts of up to 40% off gear from our partners.

Saving money is always a good thing, and with a Pro or Elite Subscription, you can save hundreds on some of the best hunting gear out there. We're talking tree stands, platforms, packs, clothing, optics, and more.

An app that helps you scout and plan your hunt days and times around wind, weather, and rut, and helps you get suited up for a hunt (while saving money) is more than worth the subscription price in our book.

Why Should You Use a Hunting App?

You could be missing some of the best hunting success you've ever had if you aren't using an app — specifically HuntWise — to plan and execute your hunts.

So, let's talk about hunting apps in general. The truly robust apps are not just maps, like taking Google Maps out into the field. They're much, much more useful tools specifically designed for hunters and what hunters need to inform hunts.  

While we realize some hunters may believe that using an app is cheating, we'd like you to consider that the advantage an app provides is an advantage over other hunters (especially on public land). The rules of Fair Chase still most certainly apply to the animals you're after, whether you use a hunting app or not.

You Have the Advantage Over Other Hunters

The advantages of an app lie in how hunters can plan their time in the field based on weather, timing, and wind direction.

We promise you that many (if not most) hunters on public hunting land are using an app. So, to gain an advantage over them (and hunters without an app), using an app like HuntWise can help you find hidden pockets of land that have more deer than humans and point you to the best day and time of day to be in your stand before other hunters get there.

Imagine:

• Using your phone to view maps, elevations, wind direction, weather forecasting, rut forecasting, and other critical information — in one app — to help you put yourself in the best location on the ideal day to bring home a big buck.
   
• Having that information before you get into the field so you don't have to spend a good chunk of your day guessing and wandering through the woods until you see deer sign and hoping it's a good spot.

Then, imagine that if it's not you using an app to your advantage, someone else is . . . and will likely bring home that buck. No thanks.

Hunting apps can help you avoid hunting pressure and open up new options for public hunting areas. Fewer hunters and more places to hunt can lead to more meat in your freezer at the end of the season.

Download the HuntWise Hunting App and Plan Like Never Before

If it's not opening day yet, that means you still have time to plan! You've probably got your gear waiting by the door, so what better way to spend your time than by exploring how a hunting app can help you learn about public hunting areas and find spots where you're more likely to find deer and less likely to find other hunters and high-pressure situations.

With a free trial of HuntWise, you have access to the features and tools we've talked about today. You can wait by the door with your gear pack and explore maps and layers, add markers to your maps, check out WindCast and HuntCast forecasting, and make sure you're ready to head out the door for a better hunting experience.

When you explore a Pro or Elite membership (free for your first week), check out the gear discounts and make sure you have everything you need for your hunt — and save some bucks if you need more gear to bring home more bucks.

Content most recently reviewed and updated May 27, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Use a Hunting App to Hunt Public Land (FAQ)

Q: What is the best app to find public hunting land?

A: Several apps help hunters locate public land, including HuntWise and onX Hunt. HuntWise offers detailed maps with public land boundaries, property ownership data, and hunting-specific tools like weather forecasts and deer activity predictions. The right app depends on your needs, but look for one that combines accurate mapping with features designed specifically for hunters.

Q: How do I find public hunting land?

A: To find public land, start by checking your state's wildlife agency website, which typically lists public hunting areas like wildlife management areas, national forests, and state forests. Hunting apps like HuntWise make it easier by showing public land boundaries directly on a map so you can scout locations and plan access routes before you go. Combining both resources gives you the most complete picture of what's available in your area.

Q: Is onX Hunt still free?

A: onX Hunt offers a free trial, but full access to its features requires a paid subscription. Most premium hunting map apps (including HuntWise) operate on a subscription model to maintain up-to-date mapping data and features. If you're comparing options, it's worth evaluating what each app includes at each price tier before committing. HuntWise also offers a free trial to explore the app's Pro and Elite features.

Q: How do I find public hunting land for free?

A: Your state fish and wildlife agency website is one of the most reliable free resources for locating public hunting land, often with downloadable maps and regulation details. Many counties and federal land management agencies also publish public land boundaries online through tools like the Bureau of Land Management's map viewer. Some hunting apps offer free tiers or trials that let you explore public land layers without an immediate cost.

Q: Does HuntWise show public land?

A: Yes, HuntWise displays public land boundaries on its maps, including national forests, wildlife management areas, Bureau of Land Management land, and state public hunting areas. You can use the app to identify public land near you, check property lines, and scout terrain features like ridges, funnels, and water sources. This makes it easier to plan your hunt before you ever set foot in the field.

Q: What is the best way to hunt public land?

A: Successful public land hunting comes down to preparation, putting in more effort than the average hunter by scouting farther from roads and access points where pressure is lighter. Use topographic maps and satellite imagery to identify terrain features that funnel deer movement, and time your hunts around weather and deer activity patterns. Getting into areas that other hunters don't bother to reach consistently produces better results.

Q: Is the HuntWise app worth it?

A: HuntWise combines public land mapping, property boundaries, solunar activity data, weather forecasts, and hunting pressure insights in one platform built specifically for hunters. Those tools work together to help you make smarter decisions about where and when to hunt, which can directly impact your success in the field. For serious hunters looking for every advantage on public land, HuntWise is worth it.