Best Public Land Whitetail Hunt?

[Foxtrot1]

Earlier this summer I was working with some deer biologist from Auburn University on a deer survey and this topic came up. The lead biologist recommended the deer hunt on McCalister Army Depot in OK. They had a research project there a few years ago. They said it was absolutely amazing. McCalister's web site is pretty cool. I liked the "10 most wanted". I am not wild about the primitive archery equipment, but it would be neat to hunt bucks that have never been hunted with a gun. Only does are harvested on the shotgun hunts. The biologist said it takes about 7 years to draw. I may add this to my list of yearly applications. thought some of you guys might be interested. Here's the link.

http://www.mcaapcontrolledhunts.com/

 

[WBouldin]

I-O-W-A Pay the $500 nonres tag, find a timber set on like an acre of public in the middle of private farms and shoot a Booner...

 

[jlmatthew]

I have a buddy stationed at Ft Riley, Kansas and he keeps telling me I need to come hunt there because of all the deer

 

[choc dogs]

Foxtrot, I've never drawn a tag for that hunt, hell, I've never drawn a tag for anything except an extra doe in my life, but I tagged along, There are some known deer there that are incredible, and it's a well run hunt, just kinda strange in my book that a specialty hunting group gets to run such a specific hunt on public land. Then again, it's military land, so I guess any hunt is better than the option of none.

 

[dreamhunter]

best public land i wood have to vote minasota for big deer. misssouri for a lot of buck and some varey good ones. i hunted only public land last year hunted 4 states and canada. got 4 good bucks. you have to learn how the deer move around the other hunters then hunt. hint mid day!

 

[StrutNut]

A few years ago I too would have said MN. Lots of huge tracks of public ground to the north with some very nice animals. MN is no stranger to the record books plus some fantastic fishing in the off times. The wolves have had their way and have really had an impact on the herd as has the winter a couple of years ago. There is a good chance the population will go back up but for now I would be looking at other states. As a MN resident I will likely hunt WI more then MN for filling the freezer.