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One of the many great things about the United States is the vast amount of land that is preserved specifically for public use. Public land is one of those things that is easy to take for granted - until you don't have it. September is recognized as National Public Lands Month, celebrating the vast network of parks, forests, and wildlife refuges across the United States. September 26 is designated Public Lands Day, too.
For hunters, public land means opportunity. It means you can grab a rifle, shotgun or bow, lace up your boots and head into the woods without needing to own 500 acres or know somebody with a big piece of private ground. Across the country, public lands give hunters a place to chase everything from whitetails and elk to ducks, squirrels and turkeys.
But public land is about more than hunting. It is a cornerstone of wildlife conservation. Here's a few numbers to give you an idea of the vast amount of land we own:
Let's be honest. Good hunting grounds aren't getting cheaper. Development continues to eat away at habitat, and access to private property can be tough to find. That makes public land incredibly important.
National forests, Bureau of Land Management lands, state forests and wildlife management areas provide millions of acres where hunters can pursue game. The rules are different depending on where you are hunting, but the opportunity is there. And for a lot of hunters, public land is where the memories are made.
There is something special about walking into a piece of public ground and knowing that success isn't guaranteed. You have to scout it, learn it, and earn it.
Hunters are also a big part of the conservation equation. Money generated through hunting licenses, permits and other fees help state wildlife agencies manage habitat and wildlife populations. The federal Pittman-Robertson Act also directs excise tax revenue from firearms, ammunition and archery equipment toward wildlife conservation and restoration projects.
When hunters buy a license or a box of ammunition, some of that money ultimately goes back into conservation. That's a pretty good return on investment.
You can't have good hunting without healthy wildlife habitats. Public lands give wildlife places to feed, raise young, find cover and survive. Managing those lands through timber harvests, prescribed fire, wetland restoration, invasive species control and other projects can improve habitat for game and nongame species alike.
And that matters. A healthy public forest isn't just a place to hunt deer. It can be habitat for turkeys, grouse, songbirds, pollinators and countless other species. This is one reason Silencer Central has supported conservation groups since we began. Groups like RMEF, DU, NWTF, and many more have received donations that are turned into funding for projects and support. We will continue to do so.
Public land belongs to all of us. That comes with some responsibility.
Hunters need to follow the regulations, respect other users, pack out their trash, and do their part to protect the habitat. Most importantly, we need to understand that public land isn't just about this year's deer tag or turkey season.
Public land access has been a major topic of conversation recently. The current administration has declared it will open access to more public lands. The big rub here is how these lands are accessed, as in order to allow for motorized access. There are groups that are seriously opposed to motorized access. The flip side is that some are confined to the use of motorized vehicles to access any public lands. Is it ethical to say that someone isn’t allowed access to land owned by all, just because they can’t easily walk, ride a horse, or pedal a bike to reach it?
As outdoor enthusiasts, we need to have the concept of personal responsibility with how we use and care for our public lands. That reinforces the idea mentioned above in this post – leave the land as you found it.
If you use a vehicle to access the land - be low impact. Don’t spin donuts or dig deep mud holes. Don’t tear things up. Be respectful not just for the land, but for the others who would use it too. And always pick up not just your trash, but anything you encounter.
It's about having a place for everyone to hunt 20 years from now. Public lands give hunters opportunities, give wildlife a home, and give conservation somewhere to happen. That's worth protecting.
About Public Lands and Conservation
No, of course not. However, it is a great idea to shoot suppressed on public lands. It protects your hearing, as well as the hearing of anyone with you. If you need a follow-up shot, it helps conceal you and not spook game.
Yes, it does. A big part of our fundraising efforts come from donated suppressors that are used at the national and local level by conservation groups as raffle or auction prizes. 100% of that money stays with that chapter. The only way we can do this comes from your purchases.
We view public lands as a right every person who lives in the United States is afforded. You pay taxes and are part of this society, therefore you should have the same access to public land as everyone else.
