Best whitetail state

[Darkside]

I think tradition with Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Midwest is best for quality though.

West Virginia has lots of opportunity in its northern half if you want a quantity experience on public land.

BOW hunting in Logan county Wv.

Don’t tell anyone.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

I have 3-4 bucks hanging around that are 3.5 or older. We do have private land, but I've seen the same on some public right by my house. We have land in the central part of the state and some about an hour north. The northern stuff certainly has bigger bucks. I've killed a few over 130" in the past 5 years. We have a lot of swamp around which helps smart bucks hide until maturity.

I think the big swamps help a lot!

We have an absurd amount of deer at the central MN property. I sat for 3 hours last weekend and watched 35 does/fawns and only 3 bucks. I should shoot the 3 does they allow there to try and start balancing the scales out a bit. For some reason, these bucks down there are quite a bit smaller, even when old. They have a lot better forage down there too with plenty of corn fields, beat fields, alfalfa, etc.

This sounds a lot like where I have land - southern Kanabec county. Not much for big swamps, elevation changes to create beneficial thermals, or other features on the landscape to give deer an upper hand. In turn i think it results in most higher genetic potential bucks getting whacked when they are young and dumb. The northern part of the unit is more forested and probably lower pop density so it's kept as a hunters choice unit and if people can only shoot one deer they typically want it to be a buck so I think that hurts. It's also typically top 3 hunter/sq mile density units in the state. Also i've heard some stuff lately about having a low buck/doe ratio and having a bunch of does to breed can put some more stress on bucks and result in lower body condition at end of rut which means worse body condition entering antler growing season.

I wish MN would adjust gun season so it doesn't fall right in the middle of the peak rut.

Yeah. That's less likely to happen than MT actually doing something to protect it's deer during the rut though.. Only regs that make it less likely for a deer to survive hunting season are acceptable for portions of the state where there isn't a shortage of deer.

 

[Bowmannate2000]

I think the big swamps help a lot!

This sounds a lot like where I have land - southern Kanabec county. Not much for big swamps, elevation changes to create beneficial thermals, or other features on the landscape to give deer an upper hand. In turn i think it results in most higher genetic potential bucks getting whacked when they are young and dumb. The northern part of the unit is more forested and probably lower pop density so it's kept as a hunters choice unit and if people can only shoot one deer they typically want it to be a buck so I think that hurts. It's also typically top 3 hunter/sq mile density units in the state. Also i've heard some stuff lately about having a low buck/doe ratio and having a bunch of does to breed can put some more stress on bucks and result in lower body condition at end of rut which means worse body condition entering antler growing season.

Yeah. That's less likely to happen than MT actually doing something to protect it's deer during the rut though.. Only regs that make it less likely for a deer to survive hunting season are acceptable for portions of the state where there isn't a shortage of deer.

I hunt in the northern part of the same unit as you. Been seeing a lot of does and spikes. Mature buck sightings on my trail cameras have been less and less the last few years. I think the one deer limit definitely hurts the buck population.

 

[Pucky Freak]

Best is relative. For a fun outdoor experience, top of my list is big woods WI and MN.

IA and MO for a chance at a giant (esp. archery).

Maybe twice ever I’ve seen an NR hunt the regular IA gun season on public - terrible idea. Crowded and dangerous. Waves after waves of deer drives, so difficult to stand hunt or still hunt.

Anyone who draws an IA tag I’m happy to help. I’ve lived and hunted all over the state.

 

[Nick87]

Per B&C: WI, IL, IA, MN and OH are the top five states based on antler scores. Obviously a bunch of other considerations should be considered.

They also have/had a very large number of whitetails. Not that we dont have then here but I think those numbers can ve a little misleading at times.

 

[seeth07]

They also have/had a very large number of whitetails. Not that we dont have then here but I think those numbers can ve a little misleading at times.

especially when you narrow down those entries to the counties those come from and the fact that they don't represent the whole state

 

[Nick87]

especially when you narrow down those entries to the counties those come from and the fact that they don't represent the whole state

Yah especially true for your state, different areas produce way different results.Illinois is mostly the same.I would say, in terms of genetics trophy potential, except for the far southern part of the state.It's almost a different subspecies, a deer as a matter of fact, I'm pretty positive it is, but that's another topic.

 

[seeth07]

I think the genetics are there for a lot of WI, its the hunting culture and land/habitat management that just prevents all of the counties from producing mega bucks every year. This is evident by certain areas in a county having some great deer management and great bucks taken there every year. I can show you a 10 sq mile area in my county what quality management can do and I would bet that 90% or more of the bucks from my county in the record book come from this one spot

 

[Nick87]

I think the genetics are there for a lot of WI, its the hunting culture and land/habitat management that just prevents all of the counties from producing mega bucks every year. This is evident by certain areas in a county having some great deer management and great bucks taken there every year. I can show you a 10 sq mile area in my county what quality management can do and I would bet that 90% or more of the bucks from my county in the record book come from this one spot

Minerals are a big part of the equation or lack there of as well imo.

 

[rjthehunter]

I think the genetics are there for a lot of WI, its the hunting culture and land/habitat management that just prevents all of the counties from producing mega bucks every year. This is evident by certain areas in a county having some great deer management and great bucks taken there every year. I can show you a 10 sq mile area in my county what quality management can do and I would bet that 90% or more of the bucks from my county in the record book come from this one spot

I think thats most states. Managing any deer herd can develop giants. Planting some decent food for them to eat along with letting immature bucks walks is a really good way to land some good bucks in the area.

 

[Bulldog0156]

Jackson county MI.


There is something special about hard to find mountain whitetail though.