What are the five best deer states?

[whitetailassasin]

I still believe Iowa, is a top 5 hunting state for trophy whitetails. I almost put Missouri in that category as a number 5. California, Texas and Michigan carry the most deer, but they are also the biggest states.

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[BigHunt]

never hunted out of Wisconsin ..so I cant say

[Bowhunter4life]

For public land in Missouri it would have to be northern missouri. All the public land here in the southern part of the stand is absolutely over ran and there are so many poacher it's hard for many deer to reach a decent age. I won't hunt 90 percent of the public land here in southern MO because it is almost to the point of being dangerous cause everywhere you look you see orange!

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[Spysar]

It just seems to me, that most of the heavy hitters are on some sort of decline. I think people shoot too many does just cause the DNR says we can, or in some cases forces it to get a buck tag. Or diseases hit the herds, like CWD and EHD. Or they become a popular destination, and everything is overhunted.

Here are some states that might be on the decline.....What do you think?

Ohio- Way to much pressure
Iowa- Over doe hunted, and just plain overhunted, and EHD
Nebraska- EHD big time
Illinois- Shoulda been there 10 or more years ago
Wisconsin -Pressure, CWD, EHD ( I'm not sure, I never hunted there)
Misouri- EHD
Kansas- Shoulda been there 10 or more years ago as well

States that might be as good or improving, maybe

Pennsylvania- They got antler restrictions
North Dakota- I think that might be a good place to try
Maryland- might be good but probably getting tougher as the word is out

[BassBoysLLP]

It just seems to me, that most of the heavy hitters are on some sort of decline. I think people shoot too many does just cause the DNR says we can, or in some cases forces it to get a buck tag. Or diseases hit the herds, like CWD and EHD. Or they become a popular destination, and everything is overhunted.

Here are some states that might be on the decline.....What do you think?

Ohio- Way to much pressure
Iowa- Over doe hunted, and just plain overhunted, and EHD
Nebraska- EHD big time
Illinois- Shoulda been there 10 or more years ago
Wisconsin -Pressure, CWD, EHD ( I'm not sure, I never hunted there)
Misouri- EHD
Kansas- Shoulda been there 10 or more years ago as well

States that might be as good or improving, maybe

Pennsylvania- They got antler restrictions
North Dakota- I think that might be a good place to try
Maryland- might be good but probably getting tougher as the word is out

Is there anything better than your initial 7 states? Doubtful even when considering Canada...maybe in Canada in select areas,

Right now my ranking is IA, MO, WI, IL, MN in that order for good bucks with WI and MN producing more 180+

[Southern Man]

Hmm...

To ask about right here and now for 2010 is hard to say???
But using my research from my "dreams and wishes" from the past 5 years I would go with KY.
And NO, not the jelley the state of Kentucky...
If you want a booner then you got to play the lottery of the rcord books for that answer.

I selected KY for value and opportunity of a 130" or MORE, without taking money from my kids college fund, plus length of seasons...

Value, imo equals = public land, DIY, length of season to fit a busy lifestyle, cost of non resident license, odds, etc. Etc. Etc...

Shhhhhhhhh...............

[keb]

Iowa is king for the average guy to kill a good buck. But any Midwest state could produce a giant, Nebraska and Indiana if I recall correctly have produce the biggest typical and non typical in the the last 5 years. Both OTC states with rigor seasons during the rut.

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[BassBoysLLP]

Iowa is king for the average guy to kill a good buck. But any Midwest state could produce a giant, Nebraska and Indiana if I recall correctly have produce the biggest typical and non typical in the the last 5 years. Both OTC states with rigor seasons during the rut.

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Agreed. IA is still loaded with 130 - 165" bucks. Everyone I know can't wait to go back (including last year).

[keb]

While doing some research, colorado ain't no joke for big whitetails either.

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[TallTines]

Minnesota you have to be in the right spot to kill a big one

[BigHills BuckHunter]

I've only hunted wisconsin.

I would love to try north dakota early bow public land. My friends and I got the area pinned down but need finances and time to work out for us.

My top as of now

Illinois
Wisconsin
Kansas
North Dakota
Iowa

Sleepers:

Kentucky, Georgia, Minnesota, South Dakota

[BassBoysLLP]

Minnesota you have to be in the right spot to kill a big one

This statement applies just about everywhere....

[TallTines]

My buddy killed this one last year in Minnesota 190 3/8

[phade]

Indiana and Kentucky are two that I have on my radar.

Ohio is very overhunted, but still produces some monsters. I think Ohio is going to decline further though.

[BassBoysLLP]

That is a slob Tall Tines!

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