Best Hunting Forums: Top 18 Most Popular Hunting Forums
Looking to swap stories, get expert tips, or connect with other passionate hunters? The internet is full of places where seasoned outdoorsmen and beginners alike come together, but finding the best hunting forums can take some digging.
Whether you’re into elk, whitetail, bowhunting, or gear talk, these communities offer something valuable.
What are the best hunting forums? Here’s our top 18 list:
No matter if you're a seasoned hunter or just starting out, connecting with like-minded individuals can enhance your experience. Online communities offer a wealth of knowledge, from gear reviews to hunting strategies. Below is our curated list of the top hunting forums, each catering to specific interests and regions.
1. Hunt Talk (Best Overall Hunting Forum)
Hunt Talk, founded by public land advocate and TV host Randy Newberg, is widely recognized as one of the most active and inclusive forums for North American hunters. Hunt Talk is a hub for everything from tag applications to deep dives on essential hunting gear.
With threads on hunting ethics, conservation policies, gear suggestions, and DIY public land tips, it’s ideal for anyone from beginners to experienced backcountry hunters. The community is respectful, insightful, and known for offering solid advice without gatekeeping.
Whether you're asking about layering systems or debating the best hunting gear for a backcountry elk hunt, this forum delivers first-hand advice from real hunters.
2. Duck Hunting Chat (Duck Hunting)
Duck Hunting Chat is the go-to spot for everything related to waterfowl. With a huge user base across the United States and Canada, hunters share migration reports, calling tips, blind setup strategies, and reviews on decoys, shotguns, and waders. The forum also features region-specific boards for tailored advice and is known for helping both seasoned hunters and weekend warriors improve their duck game. It’s especially useful during flyway seasons when real-time updates are gold.
3. Rokslide Forum (Western Hunting)
Rokslide is a premier destination for those hunting in the rugged West. If you’re preparing for a high-altitude elk or mule deer hunt, this forum has in-depth gear reviews, scouting strategies using GPS or e-scouting tools, and fitness advice tailored to demanding terrain. DIY hunters love the transparency here—members share unit-specific insight, tag draw tips, and first-hand success stories. Expect a serious, focused crowd of hunters who treat Western hunting as both a science and a lifestyle.
4. HuntingPA.com Outdoor Community (Eastern Hunting)
HuntingPA is a long-standing community focused on Eastern U.S. hunting, particularly Pennsylvania. Its active users discuss deer, bear, small game, and turkey seasons with detailed posts on game laws, food plots, and archery versus rifle setups. It also includes robust threads on trapping, predator control, and land management. With a tight-knit but welcoming feel, it’s a great place to learn how geography, private land, and local regulations influence hunting strategy in the East.
5. Bowhunting.com Forums (Whitetail Hunting)
Known for its strong community of bowhunters, this forum is one of the best sources for in-season whitetail deer advice. Members share video footage, detailed harvest stories, stand placement strategies, and tips for managing scent and pressure.
Members regularly post gear loadouts, layering tips, and scent control strategies, making it a great place to figure out exactly what to wear hunting during the early or late season. It also features gear testing and archery-specific discussions like arrow tuning and broadhead comparisons. Ideal for bowhunters who want detailed, data-backed input from fellow archery fanatics.
6. Old Gobbler Forum (Turkey Hunting)
Old Gobbler is a highly focused community for wild turkey hunters. From box and mouth call craftsmanship to locator call strategies and spring scouting, this forum dives deep into every aspect of turkey hunting. Members are known for their passion, often hand-making their own gear and swapping stories about gobbler behavior. It’s a fantastic niche forum for those obsessed with perfecting their calling or finding that elusive early-season tom.
7. Elk101 Forums (Elk Hunting)
Elk101, created by elk calling champion Corey Jacobsen, is one of the best resources for elk-specific knowledge. The forum focuses on preparation, calling techniques, and gear optimization for both archery and rifle seasons. From preseason fitness prep to post-shot blood trailing, every phase of the hunt is covered. It also complements Elk101’s University of Elk Hunting course, making it a great option for learners looking to improve their odds in the mountains.
8. Archery Talk Forum (Archery Hunting)
One of the largest archery-specific forums online, Archery Talk hosts discussions on everything from compound bows and traditional archery to target shooting and hunting techniques. You’ll find plenty of user-driven reviews on bows, stabilizers, arrow weights, and releases. The hunting sections are robust, offering insight into gear setups for elk, whitetail, and hogs. It’s a favorite for tinkerers and gearheads who want to fine-tune every element of their rig.
9. Monster Muleys (Big Game Hunting)
Monster Muleys is laser-focused on Western big game species, especially mule deer, elk, and antelope. Hunters share scouting photos, DIY backcountry trip plans, and lessons learned from tough hunts. The forum also offers valuable unit-specific conversations on tag drawing, scouting reports, and meat care. It has a die-hard user base and is especially helpful for those targeting hard-to-draw tags or exploring lesser-known units.
10. Bear Hunting Forum on GON (Bear Hunting)
Part of the Georgia Outdoor News network, this forum supports a growing community of bear hunters in the Southeast and beyond. Topics include baiting strategies, tree stand setups, firearms, and bear behavior across regions. There’s also room for discussion around legal regulations and hunter ethics. For those hunting black bear in Appalachian or Southern regions, it offers practical insight with a regional twist.
11. Refuge Forums – Goose Hunting Section (Goose Hunting)
A classic waterfowl hub, the goose hunting section of Refuge Forums is ideal for serious migratory hunters. From Canada geese to snow geese, users post in-depth strategies on decoy spreads, late-season calling, and field setups. The community is large and experienced, with hunters frequently discussing weather impacts, conservation season tactics, and water access. It’s a great way to prep for your next flyway hunt.
12. Handgun Hunting Forum on GON (Handgun Hunting)
This lesser-known but highly valuable forum caters to hunters who pursue game using revolvers, single-shots, or other handguns. Discussions include caliber debates (.44 Mag vs. .357), holster setups, and how to improve accuracy at hunting ranges. Members often post range reports, harvest photos, and load data. It’s a passionate group pushing the boundaries of traditional hunting with a challenging, rewarding approach.
13. Texas Hunting Forum – Wild Hog Section (Hog Hunting)
This Texas-based community is one of the most active places for hog hunting discussions. The wild hog section is packed with advice on thermal scopes, night hunts, feeder setups, and public land hotspots. Given Texas’ year-round hog hunting opportunities, the forum stays active with real-time reports and gear talk. New hunters can find step-by-step help, and veterans often post detailed gear breakdowns and hunting recaps.
14. Ultimate Pheasant Hunting Forums (Pheasant Hunting)
This specialized forum, Ultimate Pheasant Hunting, brings together upland bird hunters from across the U.S., with an emphasis on pheasant habitat, dog training, and field tactics. Popular among Midwesterners and Dakota hunters, users share conditions, gear picks (like best boots or vests), and advice on guiding young dogs. The dog training sections are particularly strong, and the community is friendly to both public land hunters and private land veterans.
15. Quail Hunting Forum on Ultimate Pheasant Hunting (Quail Hunting)
This sub-forum is dedicated to bobwhite and other quail species. It’s especially popular among Southern hunters who share dog training tips, seasonal reports, and habitat restoration strategies. Discussions often focus on lightweight gear, dog behavior, and working cover effectively. It’s a smaller but loyal group that thrives on tradition, bird dog work, and ethical upland hunting practices.
16. The American Beagler Forum (Rabbit Hunting)
The American Beagler Forum is a dedicated community for enthusiasts of rabbit hunting with beagles. Members discuss training techniques, breeding, field trials, and share hunting stories. It's an invaluable resource for those interested in the nuances of hunting rabbits using beagle packs.
17. Long Range Hunting Forum (Rifle Hunting)
Long Range Hunting Forum caters to hunters focused on precision shooting. Discussions revolve around ballistics, rifle builds, optics, and techniques for long-distance hunting. It's ideal for those aiming to enhance their skills in rifle hunting across various terrains.
18. Waterfowl Forum (Waterfowl Hunting)
Waterfowl Forum is a comprehensive platform for duck and goose hunters. Topics include hunting strategies, gear reviews, decoy setups, and regional reports. The community is active, offering insights for both novice and experienced waterfowl hunters.