State Scientific and Natural Areas are almost all open to bowhunters in search of big whitetails, though a few are closed.

For more information, visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/snas for the complete listing. SNAs are still relatively unknown by the majority of bowhunters and don’t receive much human traffic. Many SNAs are smaller and deer stands aren’t allowed, but the big bucks lurking in these underhunted areas are worth the sacrifice.

There are very specific regulations regarding ATV use, camping, deer stands and other categories. Consult the hunting regulations for the list of restrictions and allowable activities on these lands.

FOREST LEGACY LANDS
Numerous acres of privately owned Minnesota forests are open to public hunting. Some research is required to determine which plots of land are open to hunters. Lands owned by timber companies Potlatch, Blandin and Boise-Cascade are generally open to hunting unless otherwise posted, but that information should be verified before hunting on it.

Lands registered in the forest legacy program are always open to hunting. The full listing and maps are at www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestlegacy.

These properties present another relatively unknown opportunity for bowhunters. The most recent addition is the 6,200-acre Clair A. Nelson Memorial Forest in Lake County near Finland.

FEDERAL LANDS
Many national wildlife refuges and federal waterfowl production areas are open to public hunting, as are the state’s two national forests. More information can be found in the state hunting regulations and the specific refuge regulations. Check online at www.fws.gov/refuges for a list of Minnesota’s refuges and wetland management districts.

Special regulations apply on these lands, so hunters should be mindful of the law as outlined. Although researching these regulations may be tedious, those willing to comply with the additional regulations are often rewarded with a tremendous hunt. Many refuges surround river systems that include habitats known for producing trophy bucks.

Chippewa National Forest, located north of Walker and east of Bemidji, and Superior National Forest in the Arrowhead region, encompass massive areas where deer roam across thousands of acres, never seeing human traffic on a regular basis.

Because these are national forests, numerous roads and trails lead into areas where few other hunters travel. The Forest Service recently updated its regulations regarding motorized vehicles, so be sure to check with them before venturing out this fall.

Maps of areas open to public hunting may be purchased for $9 from either NFS headquarters or online at www.nationalforeststore.com.

Free maps located on each federal forest’s Web site are available with a little bit of sleuthing. Ranger stations are throughout the forests and provide tremendous resources for information.

Special regulations are in effect on federal lands, particularly regarding ATVs and other off-road motorized vehicles. Be sure to check the regulations and Web site of the forest of your choice for details on what is legal and what is not this year.

PART TWO: A SCOUTING GAME PLAN
If you find yourself on a piece of land few other hunters know about, congratulations. Now get busy scouting the areas where those big bucks roam. Be sure to scout several different areas based on weather conditions, wind direction and time of year. Trail cameras are permitted on public lands, but invest in a locking mechanism for obvious reasons.

If you find yourself on a parcel of land that receives some or plenty of hunting pressure, congratulations still apply, but get ready to put together a game plan. Hunters on lightly pressured lands should have a game plan as well, but there is room for error when you have the area to yourself.

Outdoor personality and writer Gary Clancy has hunted numerous pressured public lands in his lifetime as a bowhunter. He’s also written several books on the subject, including, Strictly Whitetails and Treestand Hunting Strategies.