Click here for more information about deer hunting in Kentucky. Public land: 800,000 acres Most research can be done via computer and phone. Actually, it's a lot pricey. Joined Dec 20, 2010 Messages 4. Nebraska is a prime destination. Public land in Nebraska isn’t as abundant as other Great Plains states, but walk-in hunting programs help make up for that. North Dakota has fewer deer hunters than all of its neighboring states; Minnesota kills more deer each year than North Dakota gives out tags. Most of the land in Texas is privately owned but there are some solid public deer hunting lands found throughout the state.The majority of the public draw hunts for white-tailed deer are good quality hunts on state-owned properties, many of which are managed specifically for deer and other native wildlife. But license costs aren't bad and the deer populations are there. One of the few western states where tags are easier to come by, Idaho offers plenty of rugged wilderness public lands to get the job done. Click here for more information about deer hunting in Ohio. Tag fee: $250 It’s becoming increasingly common to travel beyond the border of home states in pursuit of punching tags on North America’s most popular game animal. Tag fee: $240 http://www.deeranddeerhunting.com Public land can be difficult to hunt, no doubt. Many areas in the western part of the state are better suited for elk, pronghorn, and mule deer hunters, all of which you’ll run into during the early part of the season. It's the state everyone wants to go hunt in and kill that buck of a lifetime. Also great for non-residents: You can hunt deer for $160. Hunters just posted the single-season record during 2015-16. It even has more than 1,000,000 acres to chase deer on. Dec 30, 2010 #2 B. Baxter New member. Big bucks, land management, rut reports, and tips for the whitetail obsessed. And on opening day of gun season, as hunters moved all around the thicket, he could see tails bounding through the multiflora rose. It’s hard to imagine The Flickertail State will stay a secret in the whitetail community for much longer. And I'm excited about it. But it has to be on the list for the simple reason that you can kill big bucks for not too much money and do it on public land. Even better, much of this forest land is in some of our top counties for deer harvest. There are a lot of mature bucks in this state. In addition to deer, there are rampant opportunities to hunt turkeys, squirrels, and other game. Do that and you're well on your way to a big buck in the bed of the truck. Although there’s a ton of public land, not all of it is productive for whitetailers. Hunters around the state flock to Dillon Wildlife Area to hunt the over 4,000 acres of public land, as well as fish in Dillon Lake. Whether you want to hunt with a bow or grab the smoke pole, Nebraska is a great option. Luckily, there is some public land to go around. It is known as one of the best places in the nation to hunt deer. Do your best to get inside his head. Oklahoma. Finding such places is the research and scouting part of this program. However, it has one of the most expensive non-resident deer tags in the country at over $600, which will deter a lot of DIYers. Season: late September – early February Honorable Mentions The forest amounts to some 24,000 acres, and it is loaded with whitetails. Each hunter has to search for a place to hunt, develop a sound strategy and compete with other hunters all seeking a whitetail buck. Nebraska has an early opener that appeals to archers, but also has a month-long muzzleloader season in December that favors firearm hunters. Believe it or not, New Jersey is a great state for public hunting with over 750,000 acres of public land to hunt on 117 wildlife management areas (WMA). Archery season runs in September and most rifle seasons occur during October, with some exceptions. December 11, 2020   |  Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes, December 9, 2020   |  Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes. They did recently find CWD there, but all in … Not to mention the massive amounts of public land. When comes to Texas, everything is huge, so does the number of inhabited Deer. Click here for more information about deer hunting in Indiana. With this in mind, think about the way you look at public land. For starters, it has millions of acres of public land that it owns, along with millions more that are enrolled for public hunting by private landowners. These states have exceptional public land opportunities, economical tags, good license availability, and trophy potential that should titillate every DIY hunter. I know you get repeat questions on outfitters and places to hunt.Not sure if this has been asked. Considering it as an option while waiting for WY tag of choice. This state is unleashing its potential and we're seeing it happen now. It's that good. It’s also an incredibly diverse state, with whitetails found among the large ag fields, rough river bottoms, and vast sand hills. If you’re going to Arizona and planning on hunting on public land, your best bet is probably in the southern regions of the state. Click here for more information about deer hunting in Iowa. They have over a million acres of public land and the largest whitetail population in the country (based on deer per square mile). Boone & Crockett trophy ranking: 13th. The state has some of the best trophy potential as well, with Boone & Crockett entries near the top of the book. But license costs aren't bad and the deer populations are there. There is some controversy right now with the change in rifle hunting regulations. Harrison County consistently ranks at o… The cool part about this state? For half the cost you can hunt the Bluegrass State. No discussion of deer hunting on public land in Indiana would be complete without including our fantastic forest properties. Boone & Crockett trophy ranking: 4th. Our three-day public land hunt last year was interrupted by only four other hunters, two of them hiking in while we were dragging out our last buck. Here are eight of the best states to travel to if you’re in the market for a great deer hunt. I remember a time when I dreamt of hunting whitetails in states other than my home state of Kentucky. That said, I wanted to chase deer in lands different from what I was used to. December 7, 2020   |  Brow Tines and Backstrap. Yes, it is a popular campaign phrase for Under Armour but if you’re a public land deer hunter then it pertains directly to you. Despite what you might have heard, mule deer are not dumb. Born and bred in the "Land of Lincoln's" birth (probably lost a few Illinois readers with that one). North Dakota The mature buck bedding areas I find on public land are in spots with very little human intrusion. Even if the law doesn’t require this identification, it’s still smart to label your gear with your name, address and phone number. It wasn’t until I started looking into it that I realized neither of those things were true. Hunting pressure isn’t terrible. Site by Gray Loon. But the big bucks bed behind ever tree, or something like that. More folks are finding this out, though, and public land competition is way up in the last decade. Boone & Crockett trophy ranking: 19th. The Best Places to Hunt Public Land Deer in the U.S. Don’t be afraid to chase public-dirt bucks this fall. It takes work and dedication to shoot a mature buck regardless of where you're at. You can hunt ducks on national wildlife refuges in California, trophy-class elk on BLM land in Colorado, and giant mule deer on public land in Arizona. In fact, the 3rd largest typical mule deer was harvested here back in 1925, and while the state may be more well known for its other big game species, mule deer are still plentiful here, with around two thirds as many muleys as humans in the state. The best mule deer numbers are found southeast of the Panhandle region of Idaho. It can take years to … With the Licking River running through its open fields and woodlands, this location is a haven for large whitetail deer. by Don Gasaway. 12 Reasons Why Your Venison Tastes Like Hell, Monster Buck Poached in Kentucky and More Deer Hunting News. Hunters just posted the single-season record during 2015-16. Permission is also required on all private land during the Youth Hunting Weekends for deer and turkey. Image Courtesy of Shutterstock. Now, you’ve got to move safely from Point A to Point B. Season: early September – late December Try These States. Arkansas is blessed with more than 3 million acres of public hunting lands, but sometimes finding a quiet place to hunt can be a challenge. Because I don't want even more people flocking to the state. Give this state a chance, it just may be the hunt of a lifetime. And honestly, I hate to even put Kentucky on this list. The terrain where you’ll find mule deer ranges from dry, high-desert foothills to the rugged, mountainous, alpine zone. It's a little less appealing to public land hunters. The Bleacher Report ranked Pennsylvania fifth in the nation for best places to hunt big bucks. Find yourself in a treestand here in early November, and you’re likely to see some of the best public land rut action in the country. Illinois' Best Public Land Deer Hunting. Like Oklahoma, it’s sort of another sleeper state that not many people are flocking to. It's a little pricey for non-residents. While Canada offers some of the best... Every whitetail hunter wants a crystal ball for the rut. That means as many as 87,000 hunters will be looking for a deer on publicly accessible areas each year. The state has high quality public lands made up of rolling hills and thick timber that feels bigger than what it actually is. Out-of-state deer hunting is within reach and can be done on a budget. About 16 percent of Arkansas hunters primarily chase deer on public land. Don’t get me wrong, I love hunting deer in Kentucky. Public land: 1,976,000 acres It’s one of the best destinations in the country to chase big bucks. Caught myself doing just that at the store the other day, matter of fact. That fall, this deer hunter hacked his way into the thicket, found a stout, young black locust that offered a spot for his tree stand eight feet north of the earth. 7.) Landowner permission is not required for hunting on private land in Vermont, except on land legally posted with signs prohibiting hunting. Mississippi is quickly becoming more well-known for its whitetail deer hunting. The cat is out of the bag and everybody and their brother is talking about how great Ohio is. Hunting on Private Land. You’re more likely to run into competition here than in other areas on this list. Photo credit: ©Raulbaenacasado/Shutterstock. Although nearly every state hosts huntable whitetail populations, there are a few that stand above the rest. With one of the cheaper non-resident licenses in the Midwest, Ohio has been captivating DIY hunters on a budget for years. The one advantage hunters have in Pennsylvania when looking for the best public land hunting is … But in all seriousness, Kentucky is one of the best states for non-residents in the country. North Dakota has quietly become one of the best whitetail destinations in the nation, especially for those looking to arrow a velvet buck. The St. Joe National Forest and the Clear-Water National Forest near the state’s southern Panhandle, are the best bets for high-success. The Buckeye State also has a late archery opener, dropping hunters right into what some consider the lull of the season. These tips and locations can help you tag a deer this season. But for a true Southern whitetail hunt, I’d look to Mississippi. However, it has one of the most expensive non-resident deer tags in the country at over $600, which will deter a lot of DIYers. Decades of... Our picks for the week’s best hunting, fishing, wild foods, and conservation content. Click here for more information about deer hunting in Oklahoma. Public land: 700,000 acres When will bucks be chasing? Nestled between Iowa and Kansas, Nebraska holds the genetics and nutrition to pump out mega whitetails like its neighbors. Wildlife District One is in Central Ohio. Click here for more information about deer hunting in Wisconsin. best public land rut action in the country. You can’t beat that. 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 public to hunt. Ever dream of heading to the Midwest? Click here for more information about deer hunting in Nebraska. That says KDFWR officials and Kentucky hunters are doing things right. North Dakota has one of the earliest deer openers in the country, which fluctuates between late August and early September each year. Several states provide high-quality hunts on public land that are available only through a lottery. Kentucky is one of the most well-managed states for whitetails, with solid herd numbers and great trophy potential. Waterfowl hunters are no strangers to working the road. Ohio State Game Land 223 For a NResident who cant afford 3-4K on a hunt and waits 3 years for that covented tag, what area would You hunt public land. That's not the case anymore. Public land hunt- That was a great segment recently with your prostaff. Ne Muleys There are a few areas in the NW part of the state that would most likely be your best option. TX Public Lands. Although it’s also still recovering from recent bouts of EHD and hard winters, the age structure is still there to kill a mature whitetail. The Challenge of Hunting Deer on Public Land In Texas The great state of Texas boasts some of the best deer hunting opportunities around. Hunting deer on public land is the great equalizer. It publishes very detailed harvest data so you can plan ahead and know what area of the state to target. I said Kansas is the state everyone wants to hunt in. But other than that, it's all green lights. For half the cost you can hunt the Bluegrass State. Several states require hunters to tag stands or blinds left on public lands. 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. With slightly more than 2.9 million acres of public access, there is plenty of opportunity to find deer on public lands. Short on public opportunity but loaded with big deer and cheap tags, Ohio is a low-risk and high-reward state that is exactly what out-of-staters should be drawn to. Just don't overpressure them or they’ll be like all the rest. For that reason, much of the whitetail public ground is overlooked and under hunted. Another 10 percent mix their time between public and private land hunts. There are some big bucks coming out of Oklahoma and few people are hearing about it. Best States Based on Public Land Availability. Wisconsin is a state that stays in the news because of CWD and other issues. Kentucky is one of the most well-managed states for whitetails, … There’s a lot of space to roam, and fairly little competition. Well, Iowa is the state everyone dreams of hunting in, and then they wake up from a daze with glazed eyes and slobber running down their chin. Montana has loads of public land and a deer hunting culture that skews towards muleys. Study your map carefully; as if you were the buck you’re trying to kill. Whether you want to take down a massive buck in Brush Country or bag one of the plentiful whitetail deer in … There ain't much left when you take a map and cross off everywhere people go to hunt. Public land deer hunting has been, and continues to be, a hot subject in the Prairie State. Tag fee: $250 The opportunity is great and the time to capitalize on this great state's big buck production is now. The following are five of the top spots for hunting in Pennsylvania: 1. Public hunting land owned by a Michigan county is a good place to start because it is not exactly easy to locate. But if you can swing the cost, it's worth it. ©2020 Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, Ltd. All rights reserved. Essentially, the state doubles the amount of public ground with short-term contracts on properties that … Although rifle tags are tough to draw, archery whitetail tags are available over the counter. With nearly 6 million acres, it’s hard to argue it out of the top eight spots. North Dakota isn’t considered a trophy state, but that’s usually not the focus of an OTC, DIY hunter. Narrowing this list down to three was damn tough. Try this state if you’re looking for a classic whitetail hunt. The Magnolia State also boasted a 63% hunter success rate harvesting at least … One of the state's most scenic public lands, Woods is also among the best archery-only deer hunting areas. Has anyone done a Nebraska Mule Deer on your own hunt on public land. In the Market for a Good Deer Hunt? But Kansas is a dang good place to up the odds. Season: late August – early January But don't think you'll find just any piece of dirt, waltz right in, and kill a big fatty. 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. The state’s deer population is approaching 250,000 animals and with a yearly harvest now at around 40,000 animals, the state has good potential for older deer to be found, but watch out for wise guys with open trunks. There isn’t much to dislike about Nebraska, with big bucks that can be pursued early or late with the weapon of your choice. Click here for more information about deer hunting in Kansas. Wyoming - Next up is Wyoming, where vast, unpopulated wilderness areas are ideal for hunting. Tag fees are reasonable at $300, and the trophy potential is there thanks to a great age structure. Study state fish-and-game department websites. I'm a Bluegrass boy. Trouble is, drawing a tag in these coveted areas ranges fro… But you better do your homework ahead of time and find a piece that isn't over-pressured. And there’s 2 million acres of public land. This isn’t textbook whitetail country, though, which will cause a lot of hunters to struggle to kill a bottomlands buck. But if someone sees this, hunts Kentucky, and kills their dream buck, then I've done my job. Like the rest of the region, Ohio does not have an ample amount of public ground. The tags are over the counter, and there is a lot of public land. For that reason, much of the whitetail public ground is overlooked and under hunted. I don't care what anyone says, this is the current sleeper state. The problem: I thought it was out of reach and way too expensive. The new world-record elk was taken last season on public land in Utah. It's a little less appealing to public land hunters. General Season:yes Point System:bonus point system Application Fee/Terms:non-float state; $15/species application fee + $160 hunt/fish combo license (nonrefundable); $315 for deer permit if drawn Application Deadline:early June Results Posted:early August Arizona continually makes headlines with giant muley bucks harvested in the Arizona Strip and the Kaibab Plateau. Most whitetail enthusiasts’ bucket list hunts orbit around three Midwestern states. This Country Has Many Places to Chase Whitetails, But Which Are The Best? This is the state that used to be a secret. Granted, they don’t share the same level of schizophrenia their whitetail cousins possess, but I’m firmly convinced that one of the hardest—perhaps the hardest—animals to kill on the North American continent is a big ol’ public-land mule deer. Nebraska Indiana has thousands of acres of national and state forests that offer almost unlimited deer hunting opportunities. I’ll be spending part of my fall there, along with a few of the other states from the list. One place in particular fitting this description is the Harrison-Crawford State Forest. But that'll soon change. Scout early and often on public land to find the best spot for your tree stand. It's pricey like Kansas. When it comes to hunting, that’s good news, because little-known hunting grounds will tend to have less hunting pressure. Here are some that didn’t make the cut but should still be on your radar. Montana has loads of public land and a deer hunting culture that skews towards muleys. I have plans to hunt the Hoosier state this fall for the first time. Over two-thirds of Idaho is public land, so finding a place to hunt shouldn’t be a problem for first-timers. Photo credit: ©LAHeishmanPhotography/Shutterstock. Whitetail deer all green lights than 2.9 million acres, it 's little... Rifle tags are tough to draw, archery whitetail tags are tough to,! 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