Camp Sites / Pack In

[WesternRookie]

Another noob question......Assuming I am hunting on public land, can I generally just hike a few miles in and camp wherever I find a nice looking spot, or are there rules around having to camp only in certain areas? (Not sure if it matters, but when I say camp I am talking about just me on foot, a 2 man tent.....not canvas and stoves and horses, etc.)

Are any states unique or different from the rest?

Do I need a camping permit separate from hunting license and tags?

 

[Deleted member 28227]

Generally speaking you can camp anywhere on FS or BLM land. Typically you can't camp in or near a parking lot, and some areas have water source setbacks... 500ft. Some wilderness areas or national parks preserves have additional regulations you must follow.

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

Also be aware of fire bans that may be in affect if you plan on having a camp fire or something of that nature. But yes in general camping on Federal land is fine, State land can be more of an issue. In SD you can't camp on the state owned or leased ground I believe, but you can on the BLM, national grasslands, and the FS land.

 

[beginnerhunter]

Another noob question......Assuming I am hunting on public land, can I generally just hike a few miles in and camp wherever I find a nice looking spot, or are there rules around having to camp only in certain areas? (Not sure if it matters, but when I say camp I am talking about just me on foot, a 2 man tent.....not canvas and stoves and horses, etc.)

Are any states unique or different from the rest?

Do I need a camping permit separate from hunting license and tags?

As a fellow western hunting noob, I can tell you it's a good idea to speak with the people that manage the area you are going (FS, BLM, State agencies) to be sure.

Also, keep in mind some hunters will get pissed if you camp (or hike or exist lol) in an area they don't feel is appropriate. Many have there own rules they expect you to magically follow. That's something I've learned reading hunttalk. Search "etiquette".

 

[Deleted member 16014]

Also be aware of meat storage near system trails while packing out. For example, the NF I most commonly hunt indicates meat left on the ground must be 200+ yards from any system trail and 1/2+ mile from a camping or sleeping area. This info is included in the food storage order in my particular casae.

 

[Irrelevant]

Here is WA we also have camp location restrictions in various areas of various wildernesses, as well as year round fire restrictions above certain elevations.

 

[Pucky Freak]

Some FS maps will have some roads designated "no dispersed camping", that is, you may not camp within x feet of those roads. These are often higher traffic areas, or fragile ecosystems. However, there are often plentiful dispersed camping not too far away if you check the FS map.

Also, be very careful about private land open to public hunting under various sportsman access programs, private land leased by the state or other organizations for public hunting, and public easements on private roads to access public ground. These areas are almost always off limits to camping, and are *usually* posted as such.

 

[dcreiss]

Also be aware of fire bans that may be in affect if you plan on having a camp fire or something of that nature. But yes in general camping on Federal land is fine, State land can be more of an issue. In SD you can't camp on the state owned or leased ground I believe, but you can on the BLM, national grasslands, and the FS land.

On school & public lands parcels in SD you can engage in dispersed camping for up to 14 days but a permit to camp may be required depending on the size of your party.

 

[ccc23454]

Read the national forest website you are going to, great source for other infoalso:fires, roads, burn bans etc. A big thing if your coming my way is bear storage...