Many experienced hunters have found that the public lands available to them in recent years are increasingly crowded. While it's fair to say the more the merrier in most cases, hunting is an event best done with a close group of friends or relatives - not hundreds, or even thousands, of strangers. The safety implications alone are staggering.

As such, more and more hunters are investigating their options. Some are fortunate enough to have land-owning friends or neighbors who permit them to hunt on their properties. Others opt to pay the extra money that going on package hunts requires or stump up the cash to buy a piece of property suitable for their hunting needs. But that isn't for everyone.

For the rest of us, hunt leasing is a viable option. There are a number of online communities geared toward matching property owners interested in offering hunters the opportunity to use their land in the non-crop seasons, with hunters looking for a new patch to call their own. Lease agreements are fairly standard and can run from a few months a year to multi-year arrangements that will benefit future generations of hunters in your family.

It sounds strange, but it's true - you can hunt for polar bears. The polar bear is a massive beast - reaching a weight of over 1320lbs, he's on par with a Kodiak. And, given his propensity for withstanding the worst nature has to offer, he's just as formidable as any of the other large bears out there.

Those who've done it, say the polar bear hunt is the toughest in the world. Generally, polar bear hunting expeditions are run from mid February to late April. With temperatures regularly bottoming out around -40?F, it's easy to see why. You'll need to be at the absolute peak of fitness to stand up to the elements, and you'll have to apply for some special permits before you go.

The good news is, there are scores of outfitters specializing in polar bear hunting trips. Some fly you near to the site you'll hike toward, others lay on snowmobiles to get you to the right area - in either case, once you get to camp, you'll have a tent and a pack stove and little else to protect yourself from the arctic air.

To avoid disappointment, look for outfitters who are open about the number of hunters they've led to success and brush up on the legalities of bringing your trophy home.

There's a fair amount to consider when you stumble upon tracks in the field. Knowing what the tracks can tell you before you find them is key to benefiting from the chance discovery.

Check the gait - a buck's tracks will be less organized, showing a prominent outward kick. Does and younger animals will leave tracks that go in a straight line.

What's the drag - small deer lift their hooves more completely on soft terrain, heavier deer, and bucks in particular, tend to drag their hooves, leaving clefts in the ground between tracks.

Size matters - bigger deer have bigger feet, and though size isn't the most reliable indicator, one set of exceptionally large tracks among a myriad of smaller tracks is a sure sign that a big buck is around.

How old is it - it's hard to tell how old tracks are in the field, but with a little experience, you will learn the difference between sharply-defined new tracks and their less-impressive older cousins.

How many sets - the big bucks like to run on their own, so when there's a single set of large tracks on their own, you're probably on to a winner.

If you plan to succeed, you're a step ahead of the other hunters any day. Part of a successful hunter's plan should include the basics of field dressing, as well as a hunt kit that includes the tools you'll need in the event of success.

First, pack a good hunting knife. Whether you choose a fixed or folding blade is up to you, but experts agree you should pick a knife you're comfortable using and bring along a stone to sharpen it. You'll need this to make incisions in the animal for field dressing - it will come in handy for skinning as well.

The second thing you'll need is a lightweight saw. There are plenty of options here, including the folding variety, but the key again is finding a tool you're comfortable with and can wield with confidence in the field. The saw will be used to remove antlers and split the brisket.

Finally, consider bringing along a lightweight hatchet or axe - some experts recommend a pair of hatchets. A good hatchet is useful if you're going after bigger game as quartering an elk is no easy task, so you may as well be tooled up for the job.

Plenty of hunters succeed each season and get home to find the meat they've harvested in the field is no good. There are plenty of reasons for this, ranging from high temperatures to contamination. And, for every reason your meat is ruined, there's a way the spoilage could've been prevented.

Cool your kill - in warm weather, it's exceptionally important that you get the carcass cooled as quickly as possible. Traditional field dressing is the best option, but if you've got access to a one-ton packed with ice, more power to you. Do bear in mind that meat spoils from inside as well.

Keep it clean - you can protect your meat from bugs and debris by placing it in suitable sacks. Many veteran hunters recommend a dash of black pepper on the carcass to keep insects at bay while you're working.

Avoid contamination - when dressing your carcass, take care not to puncture the innards as the contents of the animal's digestive tract can ruin all your hard work. Many hunters recommend tying off the rectum before you remove it to avoid accidental spills.

Quail is arguably the most popular bird hunted in North America. There are many reasons for this, but the fact remains that any good hunt requires adequate preparation. Consider the following tips when planning your first (or next) quail hunting event:

1. Don't go it alone - quail hunting is easier with colleagues, and hunting on your own can be dangerous
2. Choose ammo wisely - too big a shot for your bird and it'll be blown to pieces
3. Reload quickly - quail travel together, so if you've got one there are bound to be more on the scene
4. Watch the weather - prior planning prevents poor performance, particularly where hunting and weather intersect.
5. Take supplies - water and food for yourself and your dogs can make your day more enjoyable.
6. Hunt early - not only early in the day, but early in the season. Some hunters disagree, but the birds are easier to come by early on in most areas
7. Bring your dog - a well-trained hunting dog is a great asset to any birding venture
8. Be bold (and patient) - quail hunting takes time, and often you'll have to get right on top of the birds before they'll take flight
9. Dress appropriately - stay safe and be sensible, wear the bright orange jacket other hunters will recognize
10. Be sneaky - quail aren't stupid, so after the first couple weeks of the season, they'll be on to your game. Avoid slamming doors, don't over-use your calls and take care in shouting dog commands to avoid spooking the covey.

Whether you're going after a big trophy buck, some excellent ducks or a bear, if you plan to mount a trophy when you get back home, you'll need to take the right steps in the field for the best results. The first step in this process is talking to a taxidermist.

If you're hunting close to home, you can speak to someone in your area. However, if you're hunting further afield, preserving your trophy might be difficult so you should consider a taxidermist nearer your hunt location. A special consideration for those hunting across the border, be sure the taxidermist you choose is approved to export mounted trophies back to your home otherwise you might encounter trouble at the border.

Once you've chosen your taxidermist, ask for some hints on how to best harvest your trophy in the field. Make yourself a crib sheet on a recipe card and laminate it, then be sure to stick it in your vest or jacket pocket so you can refer to it in the field.

There are plenty of birds out there for hunting - and they don't all live on the water. The upland birds of North America come in all shapes and sizes - each presenting their own unique challenges and rewards. Popular upland game birds are listed here:

Pheasant - though originally native to China, the pheasant is nicely settled throughout most of North America, preferring to live near ample supplies of grain and insects.

Chukar - similar to the gray partridge, and hailing from the middle east the chukar is most commonly found in the western USA

Grouse - the ruffled grouse is usually found in Canada, though known to inhabit the northeast and northwest US, it grows up to 18ins in length and weighs around a pound and a half. The spruce grouse is found mostly in Canada, growing to about 18ins long and weighing between one and two pounds. The sage grouse is found in the north western states, growing to three feet long and weighing in at eight pounds. The sharp-tail is similar to prairie chickens, growing around a foot and a half long and weighing about two pounds, they eat a varied diet of grains, grasses and berries throughout the year

Quail - there are a number of quail subspecies on the continent. The majority of these weigh no more than 10oz fully grown and can reach around a foot in length. They prefer life in open grasslands with some trees and an ample water supply

Woodcock - the woodcock is distinguished by it's long bill, designed for feeding on ground insects. They live in the eastern half of the US and rarely weigh in over 10oz.

Partridge - again, a number of subspecies live throughout the US and Canada. Partridge prefer grains for food and will weigh in at up to two pounds.

Doves - last but not least, doves are popular across the continent. A number of species pervade, but it's the mourning dove that gets the most attention across the US and into Mexico. They are slight birds, with an average weight of just five ounces.

One of the best ways to get the bear you dream of is to learn how to judge his size in the field. The biggest bears live in the prime real estate of any given hunting zone - smaller bears live on the fringes of these areas for their own protection, and are often easier to find because larger bears occupy the best hiding places.

To judge your bear's size, watch him move. Big bears show no hesitation or fear in their movement - they're practically cocky. Now consider the scale of things - how good are you at judging distances? A small bear near to you will look bigger than a large bear at a distance - experts recommend you get as close as you can to the bear before making your decision.

The older a bear is, the heavier he will appear. A big, mature bear will have a snout that's broader, longer and deeper than any small or female bear around. Similarly, his ears will be set more to the sides than the top of his head. And you'll notice the biting muscles bulging behind his forehead. Finally, big bears have massive front shoulders - with a wrist, foot and forearm that are all the same width.

Plenty of veteran hunters will tell you the biggest mistake newbies make is soaping themselves generously in the shower, then slapping on some aftershave and hair products before setting out for the day. There's little that gives you away in the field more than smelling like a drugstore.

There are a number of ways to disguise your scent - some are better than others. Plenty of hunt supply shops offer masking scents, designed to mimic everything from skunk musk or fox urine to the fresh scent of cedar. The important factor here is choosing a masking scent that will be familiar to the animal you're after - don't use the scent of oak to cover your tracks through a pine forest, for example.

Most advise that the best way to disguise your sent is not to develop one in the first place. Do this by washing yourself in unscented soap and using an unscented shampoo. Don't use perfume or aftershave and avoid scented deodorants. Wash your hunting attire in unscented detergent and dry it in the fresh air outdoors if possible. Similarly, clean your equipment so it does not harbor unnatural odors. Also, while on the hunt, seal anything that is foreign to the environment in a zip-top bag.