I don't like these "what's best" questions, since it's largely subjective, but for the sake of discussion: Which state has the best whitetail deer hunting in terms of deer numbers, quality, generous seasons/bag limits, publice land availability, etc? Thanks.
"Best" Deer Hunting State
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JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone
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NOT WASHINGTON!!!
Size: The closer you can get to Alberta, the better.
Bag Limit: South Carolina. I think I read that you can take one a day, like a vitamin.
Quantity: Any state that has a 'Shoot a doe, before you shoot a buck,' rule.
Generous season: More like generous rules. If you can shoot Bear from a tree-stand over Bait, then where hunting is allowed at the Deer feeder, that's a pretty generous season to me. (Not sporting, but generous.)
-Steve
Size: The closer you can get to Alberta, the better.
Bag Limit: South Carolina. I think I read that you can take one a day, like a vitamin.
Quantity: Any state that has a 'Shoot a doe, before you shoot a buck,' rule.
Generous season: More like generous rules. If you can shoot Bear from a tree-stand over Bait, then where hunting is allowed at the Deer feeder, that's a pretty generous season to me. (Not sporting, but generous.)
-Steve
sumpnz
Member
Not AZ, that's for sure. There's some monster mule deer there, but drawing a tag is a once in a lifetime sort of odds for the trophy hunts. Overall, AZ typically authorized 35k or so tags for deer. There's usually around 100k or so applicants. And they "target" an average success rate of ~20%. That means that on "average" a deer hunter in AZ can only expect to harvest a deer every 15 years or so.
I know when I looked into the deal in Maryland when I was considering a move there, the bag limits for deer was something 10 does and 2 bucks. I think the limit for shotguns did not count against the limit for smokepoles, and archery hunters could take unlimited does.
Now that I'm moving to WA I'll have to get familiar with the laws here. But, in the meantime I have a cow elk tag for AZ for the fall '07 hunt.
I know when I looked into the deal in Maryland when I was considering a move there, the bag limits for deer was something 10 does and 2 bucks. I think the limit for shotguns did not count against the limit for smokepoles, and archery hunters could take unlimited does.
Now that I'm moving to WA I'll have to get familiar with the laws here. But, in the meantime I have a cow elk tag for AZ for the fall '07 hunt.
redneck2
Member
I suspect that states with generous bag limits have a lower rate of large bucks. What I've seen is that, if a state lets you take anterless, there are also some button bucks harvested.
A few years ago Indiana cut back to one buck per year, regardless of method. I can already see the number and size of bucks increasing. They can't grow big if you never let them grow.
A few years ago Indiana cut back to one buck per year, regardless of method. I can already see the number and size of bucks increasing. They can't grow big if you never let them grow.
'Card
Member
Go to any barbershop where they have a bunch of backissues of Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, etc. on the magazine rack and you should find literally dozens of cover stories listing the TOP 20 REGIONAL GRAND ALMIGHTY MONSTER BIG BUCK MAMMOTH RACK SUPER-SECRET HOTSPOTS IN THE UNITED STATES! Try to ignore the fact that every article will list 20 different places, based on which guide service bought some advertising space that month. 
Personal opinion? I've hunted deer in 8 or 9 states (mostly in the southeast) and I've found my favorite places for deer hunting aren't usually the best places for deer killing. Down here in eastern NC for example, the deer are pretty small in terms of size, but you can legally kill a truckload of 'em and they're mostly corn-fed so they're good eating - but you pretty much have to hunt from a treestand and I find that tedious as hell. See what I mean? Great for deer killing, but the hunting doesn't do much for me.
Personal opinion? I've hunted deer in 8 or 9 states (mostly in the southeast) and I've found my favorite places for deer hunting aren't usually the best places for deer killing. Down here in eastern NC for example, the deer are pretty small in terms of size, but you can legally kill a truckload of 'em and they're mostly corn-fed so they're good eating - but you pretty much have to hunt from a treestand and I find that tedious as hell. See what I mean? Great for deer killing, but the hunting doesn't do much for me.
redneck2
Member
I'd agree with the above post. I'm at the point where numbers don't mean much. Every year I pass up numerous deer. If I'm not gonna hang it on the wall, I'm probably not going to shoot it.
That's just me. If it's legal and you want to take it, have at it.
That's just me. If it's legal and you want to take it, have at it.
Kingcreek
Member
Same for Illinois. They kill those big ones up north and truck them in at night, then take the pictures the next day in Iowa and western Illinois.
I don't mind shooting little ones anyway, taste better and easier to drag out.
sturmruger
Member
I would have to vote for my home state of WI. I think we shoot more deer every year that most other states.
I did live in IA a few years and they have some massive deer. In WI a 300lb deer would be unusual but I they bag deer that size regularly in SE IA.
I did live in IA a few years and they have some massive deer. In WI a 300lb deer would be unusual but I they bag deer that size regularly in SE IA.
NRA4LIFE
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For big bucks, I believe Wisconsin tops all for B&C entries. For bag limits, no state can possibly top Missouri. In most of the nothern half of the state, there is no bag limit. You can shoot as many as you want. Only one buck, but doe permits are $7 (residents and non-residents) and are sold OTC and you can buy a million if you so choose.
I agree, Wisconsin is a good deer state, but their season is too short. Missouri looks pretty good, as far as putting meat on the table. Minnesota used to be one of the top big buck states, but it's declined lately for some reason.
Southern Michigan deer have huge bodies and huge racks! You may find other deer populations around the country that are as-large, but you will not find consistently larger or consistently better racks. The deer in the central Michigan and Northern Michigan areas are okay, but they are not the southern Michigan quality. Some of the most impressive deer I have ever seen in Michigan have come from Jackson county. This area of the state is shotgun only.
MrDig
Member
Since I have only Hunted Deer in MN I can't say. I can say that Mn has some great Deer hunting, Big Bucks, and most of the state has bonus tags for does to reduce the population. Plenty of Freezer meat if thats all you want.
cdrt
Member
Montana has a pretty long deer season and depending on the area, lots of chances for extra tags. We lived in the Bitterroot Valley which has a serious whitetail over-population. One year they offered a drawing where you could get up to 3 extra doe tags; the limit was 500 hunters. The next year, the limit went up to 1500. I had a neighbor whose garden kept getting raided by the whitetails, so I put in for the extra tags. Ended up harvesting 3 does and one really nice buck and only had to drive down the road to do it.
And the resident license at that time (2001) ran about $50 for one elk and one deer (mule deer or whitetail). The extra tags ran $8 each once you qualified to buy them.
Navy Vet & SWIFT Boat OIC
And the resident license at that time (2001) ran about $50 for one elk and one deer (mule deer or whitetail). The extra tags ran $8 each once you qualified to buy them.
Navy Vet & SWIFT Boat OIC
uk roe hunter
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deer hunting whats the best state
ENGLAND
we have deer in season for 12 months. we have roe, fallow,red, muntjac, cwd. No bag limits, no tags.
but getting your rifle is dificult, expensive ammo
uk-roe
ENGLAND
we have deer in season for 12 months. we have roe, fallow,red, muntjac, cwd. No bag limits, no tags.
but getting your rifle is dificult, expensive ammo
uk-roe
EricTheBarbarian
Member
ive hunted ohio and kentucky and theyre both pretty good for deer. southern ohio has by far more deer than the northern part of the state. however, in ohio you are stuck with using shotguns. i couldnt really say about the racks though ive seen a nice 12 pointer in kentucky that my friend shot, but i mainly hunt for meat and a doe is just as good for me anyways.
El Tejon
Member
Right here. Big well-fed deer all flavored up on corn, soybeans, apples and peppermint and spearmint.
redneck2
Member
FWIW..I think once you get north of maybe Kansas/Kentucky, it has more to do with longevity. I have a friend that hunts 2,600 acres of prime land with only 5 other guys. He has 6 deer in the record book, and swears that there's a deer thats close to a world record on the property. Says it makes his 180's mount look like a runt.
bigbore442001
Member
Which state has the best whitetail deer hunting in terms of deer numbers, quality, generous seasons/bag limits, publice land availability, etc? Thanks.
There is that old saying, " You can't eat your cake and have it,too."
Texas has the largest deer population and long seasons with good bag limits. The unfortunate thing is that there is little free hunting or public land. Unless you know someone very well or own land there, you will pay. Also, the deer in the Lone Star State aren't all that large. Yes they have some antlers but my friend shot a buck in Massachusetts dressed out at 272 pounds. You will not get that in Texas. Also, he didn't have to pay any sort of lease fee. In Massachusetts, if land is unposted you can hunt on it.
Maine has a lot of open land to hunt and there are always some deer that appoach the 300 lb dressed mark each season. But the deer density where the trophies are, is not very high. Hunter success rates are 10% or less.
The same could be said of New Hampshire or Vermont. Again, you can have fun but it isn't perfect.
I hear some good stories about Michigan. I wouldn't mind going there one day to experience it.
There is that old saying, " You can't eat your cake and have it,too."
Texas has the largest deer population and long seasons with good bag limits. The unfortunate thing is that there is little free hunting or public land. Unless you know someone very well or own land there, you will pay. Also, the deer in the Lone Star State aren't all that large. Yes they have some antlers but my friend shot a buck in Massachusetts dressed out at 272 pounds. You will not get that in Texas. Also, he didn't have to pay any sort of lease fee. In Massachusetts, if land is unposted you can hunt on it.
Maine has a lot of open land to hunt and there are always some deer that appoach the 300 lb dressed mark each season. But the deer density where the trophies are, is not very high. Hunter success rates are 10% or less.
The same could be said of New Hampshire or Vermont. Again, you can have fun but it isn't perfect.
I hear some good stories about Michigan. I wouldn't mind going there one day to experience it.
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