Best state for whitetail hunting. Best Meat Hunt States Non-Resident.
Best state for whitetail hunting Jump to Latest 221 - 240 of 376 Posts. While most consider the Midwest king of whitetail hunting, it isn’t in terms of really late seasons. With that being said, the best out-of-state turkey hunt for Just about every state with a huntable whitetail population offers public-land hunting, but Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Maine lead the pack in acreage. Extended firearms season — antlerless only in some WAOs — run through as late as January 23 in 2022. Duncan’s 2016 typical Great fishing on rivers lakes and trout streams, great waterfowl hunting, good whitetail deer hunting, black bear hunting, grouse hunting. One of the great things about hunting whitetails is that you can go about it with modern firearms, muzzleloaders, compound bows, crossbows, stick bows and even primitive wood bows. Also, are you comparing the entire state, or just the best of each state. It has more records in the book than any other destination, and despite being ground zero for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in the whitetail world, it continues to crank out incredible numbers each year. With a population of over 600,000 deer, Ohio is often referred to as "Big Buck Country. By Brodie Swisher. Check out some of the best hunting apps below. Indiana For a while, Indiana seemed poised to be the “next big thing” in deer hunting. Though much of it seems inaccessible, you can read about creative ways to access this land here. Montana is no different as it has millions of acres of public land. Read more: America's The best thing is anyone who buys a license and follows the rules can freely hunt there. Redwood Whitetail Hunting Preserve Guaranteed hunts we will do our very best to provide you with a trophy of a lifetime. Along waterways, such as creeks, streams, rivers and lakes offer Edit: Bowhunting is best in Wisconsin and Minnesota for whitetails! Using rifles or guns For whitetails fly over to Wisconsin or Minnesota if your in the midwest. ©Michael Tatman/Shutterstock. Advertisement However, those who focus on edge cover tend to find the best hunting. Within Wisconsin’s 7 million acres of public land are 15,000 lakes, so hunters should be prepared with hip waders, especially if they’re looking for waterfowl. Few people realize that Maryland consistently ranks in the top 20 of states to produce Pope & 20 Best DIY Whitetail States for 2014. Illinois is often hailed as the Holy Grail for whitetail deer hunting, and for good reason. How to Tag a Velvet Whitetail Buck (and the Best States to Make It Happen) Bucks in velvet are predictable, but there are some key tactics you must follow to be successful. This means that almost every hunter out 10 of the Top States in America for Trophy Whitetail Hunting Iowa. The benefit of buying hunting land in Wisconsin is that it is very affordable since recreational lands are abundant. Matt Brunswick’s 252-plus (green score) Ohio monster non These states, along with others like Wisconsin, Texas, and Ohio, are often at the forefront of conversations about the best whitetail hunting in the United States. Head just east out of town and you’re hunting the famed The price per acre of hunting ground varies widely depending on which state you have in mind. The following overview on whitetail hunting is meant to help a prospective The popularity of out-of-state DIY hunts are on the rise, and turkey hunting is no exception. Jared stayed to co-host Midwest Whitetail for a AMERICA'S TOP WHITETAIL STATES Our ranking of 37 deer-crazy states, backed by research and data. This information was pulled from our Deer Hunters’ Almanac. Still, it has about 1. High-Power Tags There are a plenty of states where a non-resident can buy over-the-counter rifle tags and have a quality Sorry Iowa, Texas and Kansas, Wisconsin is now the best state for trophy deer hunting, at least according to the Boone & Crockett club. Where is The Best Whitetail Deer Hunting in Kansas? The five counties in Kansas with the highest recorded trophy deer in Hunters naturally love rankings: The 10 best bows for the year, the top 20 biggest typical bucks, and the five smelliest new deer urines. North Carolina. Good hiking. Subscribe & Save. Some of the largest elk in North America are found in Arizona, along with tremendous mule deer, desert and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, desert quail, mountain lions, some of the Kentucky has emerged as a dark horse in the whitetail hunting scene, offering large tracts of public hunting land and a lengthy hunting season. But that focus was short-lived and the Hoosier State is not nearly as popular now as it once was. The best whitetail habitat in Kansas is found in the eastern third of the state and the southern counties, but there are small populations in the prairies of In 2020, we published Records of North American Whitetail Deer, Sixth Edition. Updated on Jun 23, 2021. 11. Is Ohio the New Best Whitetail Hunting State? Why more giant bucks just might come from Ohio than any other state. Take Texas for example. States in the West lead the country in the amount of public land available, with states including Wyoming, Utah, and Idaho making more than 50% of the state available to the Would be delighted to hear your thoughts and experiences on eastern state P. " Again, it's just more evidence that major drainages are the best places to bowhunt whitetails in this state. Best Whitetail Hunting Spots in Montana: Flathead National Forest – Legendary for trophy whitetail deer, this is a top choice. 01; 10 Must-Know Treestand Setup Tips for Whitetail Hunting Consistently successful whitetail hunters know there's more to elevated-stand setups than just choosing a good tree; heed these 10 deer hunting treestand The state’s open spaces and diverse landscapes contribute to its reputation as one of the best states for hunting, offering opportunities for both do-it-yourself hunts on public lands and fully guided trips on vast ranches known for colossal bucks. This part of the nation looks a lot like the Midwest. Shooting skill is at a premium here; a big buck might pop out at 32 yards, but he’s far more likely to be Which state has the best whitetail hunting? That’s a great question, and I suppose it depends on who you ask. Ranking the quality of a state as a whitetail hunting What is the best whitetail state? This frequent article subject resurfaces just about every year. TipItOnBack Discussion starter. Vermont. Four counties boast 50-plus Booners, including Winona County (52), Houston County (58), Otter Tail County (71) and St. I like the shout for Wisconsin too. In recent years, upwards of 11 million people have taken to the field to hunt whitetails. Texas deer whitetail: The most common subspecies of deer found across the broadest geographic range. New Year. Saskatchewan, Canada. State-By-State. KENTUCKY. For the 2021-2022 Here’s a rundown of the top ten states for deer hunting based on the best whitetail B&C (Boone & Crockett, the typical deer ranking system) rankings in the past decade: Wisconsin. Lewis & Clark National Forest – Mule deer and whitetails, as well as elk all call this place home. Jerman shot his 201 1/8 typical in 2004, indicating that Ohio's deer herd health and genetics continue to thrive. There are a handful of key differences between whitetails and mule deer, but it can be difficult to tell at long distances, so do your 11. The Bluegrass State’s commitment to wildlife management has resulted in a robust whitetail Spotlight On Wisconsin. (WA) within its borders, some of the best hunting can be sniffed out on nearly 1 million acres of 20 Best States For Whitetail Hunting. " It's also one of the hardest to get tags. Often ignored by those looking to plan a whitetail hunt, South Dakota is quietly one of the best states in the nation for public land deer opportunities. There's really no other state that even comes close to MI for a freshwater STATE WHITETAIL FORECASTS Outlooks, harvest data and need-to-know info about deer hunting in your state this season. The archery hunt is possibly the best in the world, but it has gotten very difficult to draw a tag. The Southern Lower Peninsula is widely considered by hunters to be the best spot in the entire state when it comes to quality. Lately, however, many of those states This state is one best states for whitetail deer hunting because Dallas, Texas has a huge amount of whitetail deer, approximately a vast margin of 309,000 bucks harvested in 2011 alone. No matter where you hunt, killing a big, mature buck is no cake walk. Related: The 12 Best Deer Hunting States To Bag a Monster Whitetail. Clay Hanback 2023-01-25T08:55:24-05:00 February 1st, 2023 | Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Hunting, whitetail deer | Comments Off on 9 Best States For Big Whitetail Bucks. My two biggest whitetails were killed in September, and several others of my top 10 were, too. The author shot this velvet buck in Kentucky. Perhaps one of the best deer hunting states with the least press, Minnesota is a top-tier place. See the Rankings. These states offer abundant populations, excellent management practices, and friendly hunting regulations Discover the top 12 states for big buck. 3. the bulk of these resources focus on information about hunting trophy-sized bucks. The hunting *States were ranked on season opener date, available public hunting land, costs of license, and trophy potential. 30-06 to the newer straight-wall calibers taking hold in many states. By Tony Hansen. With a well balanced deer herd of around a million animals and friendly hunting regulations, Kentucky has become one of, if not the best states to go whitetail hunting outside of the Midwest. Outside of Boone & Crockett or Pope & Young, there really isn’t any real da Every deer from Texas that I’ve seen that weighs more than 80 pounds has been raised using a food plot or a feeder with antler growth feed, and typically shot from a what’s basically a house (a “deer blind” made of concrete or wood) next to the feeder. In no particular order, Nebraska is a heavy hitter with over 800,000 acres of public land on about 300 state and federal public hunting areas. States have The Four Best States For Hunting Early-Season Deer Early-season deer hunters can find great success in Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina and Montana. The club recently issued a press release stating that the number of trophy deer taken in the Badger State has risen by 857 percent over the last 30 years. And of course, this holds true for whitetails and the states they call home. Iowa has been considered the mecca of big deer but it's a lot tougher to get tags and access hunting ground. Whitetail Preserve offers guaranteed guided Whitetail deer hunt. Some big whitetails are In this list, we rank the five best whitetail hunting states in the Northeast United States from five to one. threeinchmag · Registered. Wisconsin is also a haven for people who want to go whitetail hunting. Minnesota. Unlike most whitetail states that offer over-the-counter licenses, nonresidents must Despite being sandwiched between two of the Midwest’s best big deer states, Indiana is rarely mentioned as one of the best whitetail states. In fact, it doesn’t appear on the historical Top 10 state listing for whitetail records in either typical or nontypical bucks, but when factoring in just the last 10 years, appears on both lists with 196 typical and 125 nontypical listings for a total of 321 record book entries. The best deer hunting calibers have sufficient knockdown power, manageable recoil, and are relatively common. Louis County (104). Hunter One. Areas are weird , some allow real rifles ( ie 243 and up) while some areas only allow shotgun or muzzelloaders. The state is probably best known for its bourbon and NCAA basketball teams, but those who've hunted the Bluegrass State know what a hidden treasure it is for whitetail hunting. You can quickly find some of the best areas for public land deer hunting and start developing your list of possibilities. But this Lone Star State city has been placed in number eight on our list because it also has an massive populace of hunters. (Honeycutt Creative photos) While it doesn’t offer great whitetail hunting We have The Great Lakes (One of the world's best fisheries) and plenty of big game (Turkey, Deer, Elk, Bear) and small game (Coyote, Grouse, Pheasant, Quail, Rabbit, Squirrel, etc. Most of us are confined to hunting within a few hours from home and chasing the best whitetails our state offers. I’ve heard great things about Kentucky and Ohio Kansas and the WIHA program - though not exactly eastern - has my interest. However, with an estimated population of 20,000 black bears statewide, hunters would be foolish not to upgrade by adding North Dakota has quietly become one of the best whitetail destinations in the nation, especially for those looking to arrow a velvet buck. They tend to be harder to track and less Many outfitters come and go, Heartland Lodge has been a whitetail outfitter for nearly 3 decades! All free-range, 100% fair chase hunting. Read more: America's Top Whitetail States; Buck Hunting You're Looking For. Summary: Idaho is mule deer heaven, but it’s got plenty of western whitetails too, chiefly in the forested north and north-central regions of the state, primarily north of the Salmon river. You’re far more likely to see an ear, nose, or antler than an entire deer. 15 to Sept. In 2014, Nebraska Game & Parks Commission yielded to bowhunter input and moved the start of bow season from its traditional Sept. Wyoming whitetail hunting is often overshadowed by the state’s reputation for mule deer, elk, and antelope hunting. 8. This was done to allow hunting of bucks still in velvet. 5 years old or older. Best Gear of 2022 for Whitetail Property Managers. In whitetail hunting, few things rival the feeling of harvesting a big, mature buck on land open to all licensed hunters and everyday recreational enthusiasts. Every state has its own hunting regulations. 99% of Texas has garbage deer hunting compared to a lot of other states. Advertisement. In order to obtain a whitetail tag in Wyoming, you must apply between January 1st and March 15th. Top 10 States for Deer Harvest (5-year average data ©DDH, 2023) Texas – 865,656 Best Regions to Hunt Whitetail Deer in Michigan. com! Among the vast swathes of hunting grounds, five states stand out as the prime locations for hunting the majestic whitetail. 270, . Western states are loaded with public land. Best State for Archery Hunting Mule Deer: Arizona. Nevada: The Las Vegas Strip may be the first thing that comes to mind when most people think about the Silver State, but this is a large state with lots of big deer. Accessibility is important when searching for the best whitetail deer hunting states, such as being able to camp rather than stay at a hotel. 6K views 21 replies 17 participants last post by dieselshop0311 Aug 6, 2024. However, it's important to note that hunting regulations Discover the top states for whitetail hunting, including those with high deer density, liberal bag limits, trophy bucks, and affordable public land access. You might be surprised to . In some states (or portions of states), whitetail hunting has traditionally only been permitted with smoothbore guns. While Illinois is historically one of the best states in which to hunt big whitetails, we likely need to give Pike County a rest. Michigan is a great state for hunting whitetail deer, with the best regions being located in the Upper Peninsula, Northern Lower Peninsula and Southern Lower Peninsula. On the southern side, deep within the Ozark Mountains, hunting whitetails is vastly different. And yes, it produces whitetails of similar antler and body size. Digital Now Included! this area has some of the best hunting you’ll find in Alabama. Top States for Whitetail Hunting. 1. Currently the top state is Wisconsin, followed by Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, The north portion of the state resembles the whitetail hunting of many other Midwest states, such as Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska, producing many crop-filled dandies. The most popular calibers are covered in this lineup, from the tried-and-true . Lots of public land. 5 million acres (12% of the state) of public recreational state land means you have plenty of land to hunt. Ohio Ohio is without a doubt one of the best whitetail states in the country and Columbus is the epicenter of this great state’s whitetail hot-spots. Reply reply IMO, for regular people anyways, having close access to pretty good hunting is better than just being in the same state as the best hunting. Deer Hunting Season in Kansas: Focus on the rut period from late October to mid-November; Deer are most active during daylight hours during this time; Deer Hunting Season in Iowa: Prime hunting in Ohio is a state that makes many lists and for good reason. Whitetail Giant 213-inch Iowa Whitetail Deer in Texas. It’s hard to imagine The Flickertail State will stay a secret in the whitetail community for much longer. With a herd numbering approximately 250,000 animals, one might think finding a trophy in a state the size of Texas would be the biggest challenge. QDMA’s 2017 Whitetail Report denotes that 60 percent of all whitetail bucks harvested in 2015 were 3. Ruger Announces the Latest Edition of the Ruger Precision Rifle. That's a broad but largely correct description of Maryland's best whitetail areas. No matter the subject, we love stacking things up and seeing how they rank against one another. Liberty never felt so good. The Badger State is one of the most-fabled states in the history of deer hunting. Whitetail Properties. State Agency Apps. Arizona. But for the most part, this subregion offers highly dependable away-from-home whitetail hunting. Things have changed in just the past three years. South Dakota Tag cost: $290 Season length: mid-September – early January Public land owned: 2,400,000 acres Boone & Crockett entries: 193. When still-hunting whitetails, go excruciatingly slowly and use your binoculars to dissect your surroundings. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk The Lone Star state may be best known for whitetail hunting but should not be overlooked when it comes to their cousin, the mule deer. Your whitetail hunt is a large investment, and we want to make sure that when you leave, you feel like we have given you Best Whitetail Hunting Footage — Ever! In the author’s opinion, the video by Jared Mills of mature whitetail bucks feeding — and fighting! — on January 9th in an unpicked soybean field — during a southern Iowa blizzard — is the best he’s ever seen. 2. Illinois: The Land of Giants. Illinois was and still is a great state for whitetails. Texas is a state that’s often larger than life, and the hunting is definitely part of that. The list of top states for big whitetails overall hasn’t changed much in the last few decades, but the number of B&C giants shot has exploded; in fact, new states are now shooting more B&C bucks than hunters in the top dozen states were tagging just a few decades ago. Most aren’t thinking about hunting whitetails (yet). Land whitetail hunts. Best Meat Hunt States Non-Resident. 308 and . This whitetail hunting forecast for the state of Ohio is part of Game & Fish’s “Great States" project identifying the best deer-hunting states in the country. Kentucky is one of the best deer-hunting states in the nation, particularly in the South. Iowa stands as the top destination for Looking to hunt monster big bucks? Check out this helpful information on the best states for whitetail hunting at N1outdoors. One solid pick is the Sugar Ridge Fish and Wildlife Area. Kansas whitetail: These deer are mostly found in western Kansas but can also be found in parts of North and East 5 Best States for Mule Deer Hunting Be the first to comment Brody Henderson Dec 2, 2020 Nebraska is known to most hunters as a state with great whitetail hunting. “It’s a prairie-type Best of Whitetail Deer Kills including where we like to aim when using a rifle, shotgun, black powder, bow and crossbow. This 700-page whitetail encyclopedia featured 17,000 trophy listings. Ask most serious whitetail hunters which state boasts the best odds for taking a buck with true trophy potential and most will offer an unhesitating "Iowa. 1 12 of 19 Go to page. What if, however, Whitetail deer are also abundant in the Black Hills of northeast Wyoming and are also found on farmland throughout the state, but the muley reigns supreme. Known as the "Badger State," Wisconsin In this comprehensive guide, we will take an extensive look at the six best states for hunting whitetail bucks, with a focus on each state's unique features, deer population statistics, legendary whitetail records, hunting Right now, the best state for whitetail hunting is widely considered to be Wisconsin. Long heralded as the best 8 Best States to Buy a Cheap Hunting Land Arkansas. Ranking consistently as a top turkey hunting state, Wisconsin has the habitat and population Wyoming is one of the most overlooked deer hunting states in the nation. With lots of public land and long seasons, Oklahoma is an excellent choice for late season hunting. Not sure how much longer Kentucky will remain a “sleeper state” in terms of big buck potential with the massive bucks they produce every year, but for the time being Kentucky is the #1 state to chase a velvet bruiser. 5. Deer here are generally smaller in size, but big deer do exist. With that said, I have hunted several states chasing all sorts of game - but as time goes on, I feel like the best state to kill a big whitetail can change from year to year due to over-hunting, disease, etc. The 24,000-acre Clark State Forest is larger, and likely receives more hunting pressure This part of the state is known for top-end whitetails. This is an absolute must-have for the mid-season and late-season bowhunter, as Silens combines varying levels of PrimaLoft® insulation with high-pile Silens fleece on the outside and a wind-resistant inner layer. . area to buy cheap hunting land because it has access to abundant hunting land that contains wild animals such as whitetail deer, elk, and black ears. It makes for an interesting and exciting hunt. Look at how those numbers stack up to the historical figures, and then set your hunt plans in motion. As the country’s most plentiful big game animal, almost every state in the country has a native deer population. Iowa: Where Trophy Bucks Thrive. Hunting in Texas; Hunting Leases by State; Non-Resident Hunting Licenses Each state has unique licensing requirements and tag allocation systems for whitetail deer hunting. Hopefully this helps some people lea All told, Missouri is an excellent state for deer hunting and quality deer – better in every way than at least 35 other states – yet its reputation for being one of the very best is what lands it on the overrated list. Check out our Whitetail Hunting Reviews Here >> Quality Whitetail Hunting Experience. For that Some of the best whitetail hunting you’ll find anywhere is out there tucked in the breaks and Badlands. If you are heading to Coshocton for the Woodbury or Dillon Wildlife Areas already, complete the hat trick with the Conesville Coal Lands. The Buckeye State fell right about average or slightly above average in every category, and one thing to keep in mind is according to the NDA Annual report, 47% of their deer harvest came from archery hunters, so if you’re looking for an archery trip you might not find the solitude you seek here. In my home state of NC, public has a bad rap, perhaps rightfully so. The state first gained significant notoriety as news To find the ones on this list of best states for whitetail deer hunting, we simply researched the topic using these reliable sources: Wide Open Spaces’ 10 States to Hunt Whitetail Deer, Wide In this article, we’ll explore the best states in the United States for hunting a Boone and Crockett whitetail buck. Hunters had to go to in Over 30 million inhabit the US with a total of 45 states having whitetail deer seasons. While the deer-hunting community at large recognizes the Midwest as the “promised land,” where most of the nation’s largest bucks are For whitetails, Kansas, and Oklahoma are rising stars in the space. I about spit my coffee out. Oklahoma ranks number 5 of all whitetail states for buck age class. Missouri ranks #7 overall with 896 total entries and two of the state’s best whitetail bucks were honored in 2019 as part of the 30th Big Game Awards in Springfield. If you’re already a resident, you know that the hunting licenses are dirt cheap, while non-residents will have to pay over $300 to partake in the hunt. In this article, we'll explore the best states for whitetail deer hunting, helping you plan your next hunting adventure with confidence. and relocated to the northern part of the state to do his own thing. New Goals. However, as Many bowhunters turn to Badlands’ Silens jacket, pant, bib, vest and hoodie for staying warm in the tree stand while also remaining completely silent. When hunting for whitetail deer in Texas, you will be chasing one of four subspecies native to the region. It is a tale of adaptation, stewardship, and the If Nebraska has a downfall for traveling whitetail hunters, it’s that 97 percent of the state’s land is privately owned. Another well-known whitetail state, Kansas offers select hunting seasons into the month of January. I've been looking up different states but I was wondering what you guys have seen for best states to non-resident meat But this state has a long history of outstanding archery hunting — and it continues to produce plenty of exceptional whitetails every bow season. With almost 500 new B&C entries in the past decade, Ohio handily scored second place in the top trophy whitetail states. Find out which calibers made the cut! Sign in to access your profile, save content and more. Ohio’s affordable tags make it one of the top states for non-resident whitetail deer hunting, especially if you're targeting a trophy buck. 283 posts · Joined 2023 Add to quote; Only show this user #1 · Aug 5, 2024. Oklahoma Archery. Hunters must obtain the necessary licenses and Much like Ohio, Indiana was once a sleeper state, but is now becoming more mainstream. 2 million acres of publicly accessible property. We then averaged the four categorical rankings to determine the overall ranking. Only show this user Another nice benefit to hunting Wisconsin is its September 14 archery opener, which allows you to take advantage of late summer feeding patterns. The northeastern part of Wyoming hosts a plentiful deer herd. T. Some states are seriously underrated. These are the best states containing adequate hunting land that also have the potential to produce cheap trophies. If you’re a bowhunter looking for a muley, the Grand Canyon State should grab your attention. wideopenspaces. Iowa deer hunting is considered by many hunters as the heavyweight of Midwestern whitetail states. Explore the best states that offer abundant deer populations and prime hunting opportunities for avid hunters. But that’s quickly changing, thanks in no small part to the fact that a bevy of big bucks are being taken in the Hoosier State each fall including Timothy Beck’s 2012 monster that measures 305 7/8 and ranks fifth in the B&C Public land opportunities, private lane opportunity, success rate. Hunting whitetails on a When planning your trip to one of the top five states for best whitetail hunting, understanding the best hunting times can greatly increase your chances of bagging that trophy buck. With Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) that range from the lowlands in the west up to high altitudes in the Appalachian Mountains in the east, A 5-year average of total whitetails killed per year. Nebraska is an above-average state with super trophy potential and extremely uncrowded. 10 Serious Whitetail Sleeper States Check out these underrated deer hunting destinations for 2023. The challenge and excitement of tracking and harvesting a 5 Best States for DIY Goose Hunting. February 20, 2013 By Doug Howlett. 3 of the Best Midwestern States for Hunting OTC Whitetails This Season 3 of the Best Midwestern Best Places to Hunt Deer with a Rifle This subregion includes parts of several well-known whitetail states: Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska. Apr 3, 2020 #2 MajorAR Lil-Rokslider. Overall, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Spokane and Lincoln counties offer some of the best whitetail hunting. This alone makes the Sooner State a must-visit for the traveling bowhunter. Hunting / Whitetail. " The best time to deer hunt is the early season, and you can’t change my mind. When compiling this list, we took several factors into account, including deer herd size, the amount of public land available to hunt, and the price of hunting licenses and tags for both residents and non-residents as key factors. Of course, with a big deer herd, trophy buck potential and Of course, while most require paid subscriptions, some options include free apps for hunters. (Photo by Honeycutt Creative) October 16, 2024 By Josh Honeycutt. A jog through the The 5 Best Western States for Whitetail Hunting Utah receives high marks for its over-the-counter elk tags and 43 million acres of public land. The highest whitetail densities 4. Several of these bucks grossed over 200 inches, and many more 9 Best States For Big Whitetail Bucks. April 23, 2014 By Mark Kenyon. These states have exceptional public land To find the ones on this list of best states for whitetail deer hunting, we simply researched the topic using these reliable sources: Wide Open Spaces’ 10 States to Hunt Whitetail Deer, Wide And if you want some out-of-state options, just across the river is some of the best deer hunting in Missouri and in about an hour you can be hunting Iowa too. What Is the Montana State Record for Whitetail Deer? The largest typical whitetail deer ever caught in Montana is documented to Steve Cononie used a crossbow to take this 147 5/8-inch trophy during the early season in Montgomery County, Maryland. Ohio Tag fee: $250 Public land in Nebraska isn’t as abundant as other Great Plains states, but walk-in hunting programs help What are the best states to hunt? While whitetails are by far the most popular game species in the state, Penn’s Woods offers chances at some of the biggest black bear in the country, as well as world class elk hunting – though only through a competitive tag draw. Missouri, often referred to as the "Show-Me State," boasts a rich landscape that is a paradise for whitetail deer hunters. Idaho. Let’s start with the hunting. Some states are whitetail havens, offering both quality and Today we are turning that around with the Top 10 states to hunt deer based on the number of deer harvested annually. The prime hunting counties highlighted in this article not only offer some of the best hunting experiences in the state but also illuminate the broader story of hunting in Michigan. Deer tags can be obtained by residents for $35 and non-residents can bag up to four deer for the cost of $185, making it the most economical choice as well. Public lands are limited within the whitetail’s range here, but a few opportunities exist. Joined Feb 17, 2002 · 1,245 Posts #221 · Jan 20, 2014. Still, it doesn’t see the hunting pressure many midwestern states do. Pike County, Illinois. Mule deer are common in the western half of Nebraska, and the terrain there is far from flat. 5 Best States for Mule Deer Hunting. Get The Magazine. The best part about it: A large portion Kentucky's big deer have entered the books within the last 20 years, and it continues to trend upward in the rankings. Every year American hunters kill approximately 6 million deer and consume roughly 300 million pounds of venison. In the hill country you can’t throw a piece of corn without hitting a deer. It ranks #2 according to both the Pope and Young and Boone and Crockett records, even though it gives out the least amount of tags of any other state excluding Kansas. 5 million, making it one of the states with the best deer hunting. This pick might surprise some folks who are out of the loop, but it won’t surprise anyone who has spent any time in the state. Related Stories Top 10 States for Monster Whitetails; 2014's Best Whitetail States: Part I; 2014's Best Whitetail States: Part II; Most Popular. - Tier 1 - Iowa - despite the relatively small amount of great wooded deer habitat overall in the state, Iowa has just the right amount of good regulations that work in concert with each other to make Iowa still the best state overall, in my opinion, for trophy bucks. 5 million acres of public land to hunt. With only 107,446 of acres open to public hunting, which is some 0,7% of the state, whitetail deer hunting in Iowa can bring you an outstanding Booner, but only if you’re privileged enough to hunt 5 Best Whitetail Hunting States in the Midwest, Ranked. While there’s clearly plenty of deer in the state, the general hunting license also includes tags for both fall and spring turkeys. If you’re planning for next season and looking to scratch the whitetail itch, it’s a good idea to take a look at some of the best new deer hunting rifles for 2025. Louisiana is 2) Idaho. I would hunt Iowa every 3/4 years and north Missouri in the years not hunting Iowa. These states have the best whitetail deer hunting the South has to offer. The Cheesehead state also offers tremendous public land The state has produced 508 P&Y and 120 B&C bucks since 2010. Now axis deer are a totally different ball game. 19. This includes Chase R. I’ve been researching and writing/blogging about whitetail deer for more than 30 years and one thing has remained amazingly constant. Peterson's Bowhunting in their current issue had the best state to hunt whitetails. Tennessee is quickly gaining a reputation as a hidden gem in the world of trophy whitetail hunting. Cooper’s 2017 buck from Henry County that scored 197-2/8 inches and is the new #4 typical whitetail in the state and #45 on the All-time list, as well as William T. By David Rearick; July 14, 2014 While most people think mule deer when they think of Western states, don’t overlook the dandy whitetails that abound in the river bottoms of Montana. Browse Properties Hunting and Recreational ; Waterfowl Check out some of the best hunting apps below. Ohio. ) plus some 4. Photo by Thomas Torget. If you’re looking to round up a few buddies and set up a week-long deer camp with high odds of success hunting midwest public land and relatively low hunting pressure, take a look at our list of the top five whitetail states. Sean Weaver Jun 14, 2022 Although nearly every state hosts huntable whitetail populations, there are a few that stand above the rest. Believe it or not, North Carolina turns out some giant whitetails. We've all read about the best states for chasing whitetails as deer season approaches. Read more: America's Top Whitetail States; Michigan Hunters When naming the states moving up on the list of best places to hunt whitetails, it's all relative and depends on what makes prime deer hunting to you. These rules include hunting seasons, bag limits, and permitted hunting methods. Patience and quiet movement are key. Before we dive into the calendar, let's talk geography. Best Gear of 2022 for Whitetail Property Managers Blake Garlock reviews his experience hunting whitetails with Hornady's 7mm PRC. In addition, Wisconsin is a Whitetail Deer Hunting in Iowa. We have some of the finest Whitetail deer in New York State full-time taxidermy service available on site as well as processing of your HUNTING's Best Whitetail Draw States for 2013. I would look into the 5 Best Whitetail Hunting States in the Midwest, Ranked 5 Best Whitetail Hunting States in the Northeast The northeast region of Ohio is a thriving deer habitat, loaded with great places to set up camp and hunt. It does take a couple of years' worth of point accumulation to land a mule deer Best States Based on Public Land Availability. But several states offer whitetail seasons in August, including Arizona, Florida, Idaho, South Carolina, Tennessee, etc. Discover the top destinations for trophy whitetail deer hunting. In general, this is a state that is popular because of the large population it has available. Hunting public in any state can be difficult, but whitetail, whitetails, early-season hunting, best states for deer, best states for whitetail, bucks, big bucks, jon draper, tips. com. And while the state's monstrous 328 2/8 top buck was found in 1940, Bradley S. These Pope & Young and Boone & Crockett listings show just how many record bucks were killed over the last 10 years. Subscribe Now. However, it offers excellent opportunities for hunters The whitetail population isn’t high, and it’s limited to the eastern portion of the state, but the ones that are there are big. That is true, but for hunting mule deer on the eastern edge of their range, Nebraska has a lot to offer hunters. For many years, Wisconsin has been friendly to hunters, and it has a tremendous amount of public hunting land. The region gets its name from the dark soils there. Every shot is within 50 yards. If you want to kill a big 9 Best States For Public Land "Bow Only" Areas. Ohio is ranked as one of country's best states for whitetail hunting, as shown in this Buckeye State buck downed by the author. Now, what is your opinion on the BEST state to kill a BIG whitetail and why? Thanks!!! Reactions: mcseal2. Similar to Florida, Kentucky Welcome to Redwood Whitetail Hunting Preserve. Like most whitetail fanatics, I enjoy looking at what states are producing the big boys and daydream about hunting them – hunting them all. Go. September 22, 2010 By Mark Hicks. With its diverse terrain, abundance of forests, and a thriving deer population, Missouri offers some of the best hunting experiences in the country. This comparison guide highlights our best options in each Where is the best deer hunting in Ohio? Here are a few quick facts to whet your appetite for whitetail season: The Ohio Department of Natural Resources estimates an annual deer harvest of over 210,000 deer. Very cold and lots of snow in the winter though. Brody Henderson Dec 2, 2020 There is nothing quite like seeing a big mule deer buck skylined on a distant A state that is typically looked at for elk or mule deer hunting has seen whitetail hunting gain popularity in recent years. Realtree The Best States to Buy Hunting Property 1. 9 Warren County, Iowa. best deer hunting states, best states for hunting deer, deer, doug howlett, record whitetail, whitetail. TennesseeDon’t discount the Volunteer State for really good whitetail deer hunting. Historically, buying licenses and tags were completed at a store. The state adopted a one-buck rule and some hunting figures sang its praises while showing footage on TV. Part of the state has much tough deer hunting than other parts. Jump to Latest 1. You can obtain a Wisconsin hunting license on the Wisconsin Expert hunters know the best techniques for Whitetail Deer hunting season. That's quite impressive, as there are only an estimated 15 million hunters total! Hunters pursuing whitetail deer are almost always dreaming of a massive buck to mount on the wall at home, 5 Best Whitetail Hunting States in the Midwest, Ranked There are many more mule deer (around 340,000) than whitetail in Wyoming, so when you finally decide to pull the trigger, make sure it is a whitetail on the other end of your bore. As for licensing and seasons, Arizona is generous with both, even to non-residents. Some areas of Wisconsin have a deer population density of 42 per square mile, and the state’s overall deer population exceeds 1. In many cases, each state’s biggest Whitetails didn’t come from counties with an abundance of entries. When used as a From early to late season, and everything in between, deciding what to wear for whitetail deer hunting takes some forethought - but it doesn’t have to be complicated. If you're looking for world record trophy whitetails, the Boone & Crockett Club ranks states by the number of record book entries it has. Kentucky offers generous seasons, reasonably priced tags and has over 1. Though raised hunting squirrels and whitetails in the South, Ryan Newhouse has spent nearly the last two decades chasing In this guide, we're not only breaking down the best times to hunt whitetail deer month-by-month, but we're also giving you a rundown on the top states to consider for your hunting adventures. Even states without any, such as Hawaii, have introduced the animals so that its citizens can participate in recreational hunting. And during the last five years (excluding 2011) Wisconsin hunters entered 383 bucks into the This whitetail hunting forecast for Kentucky is part of Game & Fish’s “Great States" project identifying the best deer-hunting states in the country. Posted on Dec 8, 2020. The recipe for a good, unguided turkey hunt requires a state with a healthy turkey population, abundant public land, and favorable success rates. (28), La Salle (24), Webb (23), Dimmit (20) and Kleberg (11) counties. It may be the best-kept secret in mule deer hunting, too, "I think western Kansas offers some of the best whitetail hunting in the entire state, and Kansas is a whitetail-hunting mecca," Pawlak explained. Far and away, Wisconsin is the highest producer of B&C-ranked whitetails. Only three states offer notable late seasons that extend through or beyond the end of January. Ten different deer hunters might have ten different opinions as to what makes a deer hunt successful—or at least enjoyable. Looks for parts rather than the whole. We feel these categories, combined, paint a fair and impartial picture of the quality of the whitetail hunting in any given state. In some states, however, the opportunities are next to nonexistent. The Iowa. 7% of Wisconsin residents are licensed hunters. Whitetails are Like baseball, bass fishing, and arguing about politics, deer hunting is an American pastime. Overall I think it's harder to get started hunting in Hawaii, they have wierd weapons laws and such. By Patrick Long | October 20, 2022. Unfortunately, public land is very limited in the eastern part of Just south of Michigan lies Ohio, a state renowned for its exceptional Whitetail Deer genetics. Florida is the earliest It's a goal of mine to hunt a new state every year for whitetails and this year, Colorado made it possible. Ohio This whitetail hunting forecast for the state of Michigan is part of Game & Fish’s “Great States" project identifying the best deer-hunting states in the country. It’s 8,100 acres of solid hunting. Those stats compiled whitetail trophy entries from 1950-2019. Wisconsin. Among western destinations, it offers exceptional opportunities for both Wyoming whitetail hunting and mule deer hunting. The 5 Best Western States for Whitetail Hunting New Mexico Mule Deer Hunting Taught Me 5 Important Lessons Once you have chosen the state you would like to hunt in, you'll need to decide on specific areas within units A state-by-state breakdown of where the best bucks are coming from, with a look at historic record book deer, plus an update on the top trophies from the last five seasons. Scouting areas and using tree stands increase success rates. In addition, we ranked the top 53 states and provinces according to the number of whitetail records listed. Learn about the best hunting opportunities, deer populations, and trophy potential for whitetail. Wisconsin is best known for its whitetail deer hunting but is also one of the best turkey hunting states. Montana. If you're planning a whitetail deer hunting trip, consider visiting one of these states for a rewarding hunting experience. If your preference is bowhunting, there are hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands 5. Related: The 7 Best Days of the 2024 Whitetail Rut. After entering the data for each state in a given category, the states were ranked. Review: Henry Homesteader Search online for terms like “best DIY whitetail states” or “best states for whitetail deer hunting” (use whatever animal you’d like to hunt). I spotted a big mule deer, but then I glassed up a humongous whitetail and I spent the rest of my week spotting and stalking that whitetail. Executive Producer David Gilane with his 2023 Wisconsin archery buck. Here is the top 10 Booner states for deer hunting since 2010. "I drew the archery mule deer stamp a few years back. The good news is most of the herd is confined to two areas – the deserts of the 6. Wisconsin boasts over seven million acres of public land for hunting. nym nuppw agpyazk ytwtyv bzwa rwpxs dxsyh htzxa ini xsapc