There are plenty of reasons hunters say winter is the best time of year to track and take game. Decreased foliage means improved visibility, snow means easier animal tracking, and colder weather means fewer crowds. If you are considering camping and winter hunting trips, check out these five hunting spots.
1. Beartown State Forest, Massachusetts
Why We Love It:
- Large forested park
- Known for big buck hunting
- Plenty of other winter sporting opportunities
Beartown State Forest is a sizeable park encompassing over 11,000 acres of deciduous forest, rolling hills, ponds and brooks. Starting in late fall, Beartown State Forest transforms into a winter wonderland, perfect for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, as well as winter hunting. Although there are not as many deer here as in other areas, the park has become renowned for hunters taking impressively large bucks. Hunting at the park is subject to state rules and regulations, so be sure to check them before your trip and ensure you have the proper license. Beartown State Park has twelve primitive campsites with a fire ring, food storage locker and picnic table, as well as access to fresh water.
Book a Site in Beartown State Forest
State Hunting License Information
Recommended: How to Get Your Hunting License
2. Land Between the Lakes, Kentucky
Why We Love It:
- Large park with diverse wetlands, open lands, and forested ecosystems
- Hunting year-round
- Variety of game
Land Between the Lakes is a huge National Recreation Area covering the entire 170,000 acres on the peninsula between Kentucky Lake and Barkley Lakes. The park’s unique topography alternates between wetlands, open lands, and one of the largest tracts of undeveloped forest in the eastern U.S. Besides it being an idyllic setting for camping, picnicking, hiking and more, Land Between the Lakes is a beloved hunting spot. There is licensed hunting for white tailed deer, turkey, waterfowl and small game year-round.
Where to Camp: Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Kentucky
Less than an hour from Land Between the Lakes, Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park is in the middle of a 14,000 acre forest. A great place to reconnect with nature, there are miles of trails and a large lake for recreation. If glamping is more your style, there is an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, basketball courts, and a lodge with a dining room. There are also over 40 campsites available for rent with electric hook-ups.
State Hunting License Information
3. Green Swamp, Florida
Why We Love It:
- Large, beautiful wetlands preserve
- Day hunting passes with no quota
- Abundance of deer at the preserve
Located about an hour’s drive west of Orlando is Green Swamp, an outdoor paradise comprising of 560,000 acres of wetlands, flatlands and low ridges bounded by sandy ridgelines. An abundance of rainwater to the area nurtures the headwaters of four major rivers in Florida: the Withlacoochee, Hillsborough, Ocklawaha, and Peace. Besides being a wetlands wilderness filled with wildlife, it is also a gem of a hunting spot. Get a day hunting pass from the park ranger and enjoy no quota hunting in a locale filled with deer.
Where to Camp: Lake Louisa State Park, Florida
With very limited primitive camping facilities in Green Swamp, your better bet is staying at Lake Louisa State Park. The park is about a half hour’s drive from Green Swamp, located just outside the Green Swamp eastern boundary. This beautiful reserve has great diversity of wildlife, including bobcats, deer, gopher tortoises, and bald eagles. Round out your hunting trip by hiking, biking, canoeing, or kayaking on Lake Louisa. There are 50 campsites for tents and RVs available, as well as 17 cabins with hot water, A/C, furniture and other basic amenities.
State Hunting License Information
4. Lake Somerville State Park, Texas
Why We Love It:
- A variety of animals can be hunted
- Two areas for hunting at the park
- Plenty of other outdoor activities
Located between Houston and Austin, Lake Sommerville State Park has it all for the outdoor enthusiast: camping, fishing, biking, hiking, birding, and hunting. There are actually four separate areas that make up Lake Somerville State Park. On the north side is Birch Creek Unit. Nails Creek Unit is in the southwestern portion of the park and allows waterfowl hunting. These northern and southern portions are connected by the 13-mile Lake Somerville Trailway. Finally, the Somerville Public Hunting Land (PHL) is on the outskirts of the park and permits a wide variety of hunting, including white tailed deer, feral hog, rabbits, waterfowl and doves. Be sure to check the local and state regulations before your hunt. There are over 50 campsites available along the lake with non-electric and electric hookup options.
Book a Site at Lake Somerville State Park
State Hunting License Information
Recommended: How Much is a Hunting License?
5. Cedar Bluff State Park, Kansas
Why We Love It:
- Scenic reservoir with surrounding cliffs
- A wide variety of hunting from big game to birds
- Hunting opportunities year-round
Cedar Bluff Wildlife Area in wesetrn Kansas encompasses a portion of the Smoky Hill River, which flows into a reservoir that fluctuates between about 3,000 and 7,000 surface acres. The surrounding land therefore changes too. The land in the refuge can range from approximately 7,000 acres to upwards of 11,000. The local topography is a mixture of grass prairie and chalk bluff, creating a picturesque backdrop to the water. In addition to the beauty of the changing landscape, the area is also open to a variety of types of hunting year-round, including: big game, turkey, pheasants, migratory birds and waterfowl.
Book a Site at Cedar Bluff State Park
State Hunting License Information
Are you ready for your adventure? Plan your camping trip!