Whitetail deer are the most popular and widely distributed game animal in North America. They can be found in every state except Alaska and Hawaii, and they offer a variety of hunting opportunities for hunters of all skill levels and preferences. Whether you prefer bowhunting, rifle hunting, or muzzleloader hunting, there is a whitetail destination for you. In this article, we will highlight five of the best whitetail hunting spots in the USA, based on factors such as deer population, trophy potential, hunter success, and public land access. These are not the only places where you can find great whitetail hunting, but they are some of the most consistent and renowned ones.
Mississippi
Mississippi may not be the first state that comes to mind when you think of big bucks, but it should be. Mississippi has a long and rich deer hunting tradition, and it has been producing some impressive trophies in recent years. According to the Boone & Crockett (B&C) and Pope & Young (P&Y) record books, Mississippi ranks 13th and 23rd respectively for the number of entries of typical and nontypical whitetails. Most of the top bucks have been taken in the last decade, indicating a rising trend in quality. The state record nontypical, killed by Tony Fulton in 1995, scored a whopping 295-6/8 inches and ranks as the ninth largest whitetail ever recorded by B&C.
Mississippi also has a healthy deer population, estimated at 1.75 million animals. The state offers generous bag limits and long seasons, with archery starting in October and ending in January, and gun season running from November to January. The National Deer Association (NDA) reports that 79 percent of bucks harvested in Mississippi in 2020 were 3.5 years old or older, and that 81 does were killed per 100 hunters, indicating a balanced herd and high hunter success.
Mississippi has about 2 million acres of public land available for hunting, including state wildlife management areas (WMAs) and federal areas such as national forests and wildlife refuges. Some of the best public land hunting can be found in the Delta region, where fertile soils and abundant crops provide ideal habitat for whitetails. The Bienville National Forest, Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, Mahannah WMA, and Sunflower WMA are some of the top public land destinations in this area.
Ohio
Ohio is another state that has been making waves in the whitetail world for decades. Ohio ranks fourth and fifth for the number of P&Y and B&C entries of typical and nontypical whitetails respectively, making it one of the top trophy producers in the country. The state record bow-killed typical, taken by Tim Reed in 2004, scored 198-3/8 inches and ranks as the third largest whitetail ever recorded by P&Y. The state record bow-killed nontypical, taken by Mike Beatty in 2000, scored 294 inches and also ranks as the third largest whitetail ever recorded by P&Y.
Ohio has a deer population of about 680,000 animals, which is managed by a county-based antlerless permit system that aims to balance herd size with habitat quality and social factors. The state offers long archery seasons from late September to early February, and shorter gun seasons in November and December. The NDA reports that 59 does were killed per 100 hunters in Ohio in 2020, which is the highest rate in the Midwest region.
Ohio has about 651,000 acres of public land open to hunting, including state forests, parks, wildlife areas, and national forest lands. Some of the best public land hunting can be found in southeastern Ohio, where rugged hills and hardwood forests provide prime whitetail habitat. The Wayne National Forest, Salt Fork State Park, Woodbury Wildlife Area, and AEP ReCreation Land are some of the top public land destinations in this area.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is widely regarded as one of the best whitetail states in the country, and for good reason. Wisconsin ranks first and second for the number of P&Y and B&C entries of typical and nontypical whitetails respectively, making it the undisputed leader in trophy production. The world record typical whitetail, killed by James Jordan in 1914, scored 206-1/8 inches and came from Wisconsin. The world record nontypical whitetail, killed
by Milo Hanson in 1993, scored 333-7/8 inches and came from neighboring Saskatchewan, Canada.
Wisconsin has a deer population of about 1.8 million animals, which is managed by a zone-based antlerless harvest quota system that aims to achieve population goals and reduce crop damage and deer-vehicle collisions. The state offers long archery seasons from mid-September to early January, and shorter gun seasons in November and December. The NDA reports that 45 percent of bucks harvested in Wisconsin in 2020 were 3.5 years old or older, which is the highest rate in the Northeast region.
Wisconsin has about 7 million acres of public land open to hunting, including state forests, parks, wildlife areas, and national forest lands. Some of the best public land hunting can be found in western Wisconsin, where rolling hills and agricultural fields create ideal conditions for big bucks. Buffalo County, located along the Mississippi River, is widely considered as one of the best counties in the country for trophy whitetails. The Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, Tiffany Wildlife Area, Dunnville Wildlife Area, and Coon Fork County Park are some of the top public land destinations in this area.
Texas
Texas is a state that offers a diverse and abundant whitetail hunting experience. Texas has the largest deer population in the country, estimated at 5.5 million animals. The state also has the most deer hunters, with about 740,000 annually. Texas offers liberal bag limits and long seasons, with archery starting in late September and ending in early November, and gun season running from early November to mid-January. The NDA reports that 36 percent of bucks harvested in Texas in 2020 were 3.5 years old or older, which is the highest rate in the Southeast region.
Texas ranks ninth and tenth for the number of P&Y and B&C entries of typical and nontypical whitetails respectively, making it a solid trophy producer as well. The state record typical whitetail, killed by Mark Lee in 1965, scored 196-4/8 inches and ranks as the 12th largest whitetail ever recorded by B&C. The state record nontypical whitetail, killed by Tony Wratney in 2001, scored 278-5/8 inches and ranks as the 25th largest whitetail ever recorded by B&C.
Texas has about 1.6 million acres of public land available for hunting, including state parks, wildlife management areas (WMAs), national forests, and wildlife refuges. However, most of the public land hunting requires a special permit or a draw, which can be competitive and limited. Some of the best public land hunting can be found in south Texas, where the brush country provides thick cover and abundant food sources for whitetails. The Chaparral WMA, James Daughtrey WMA, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, and Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge are some of the top public land destinations in this area.
Iowa
Iowa is another state that has a reputation for producing giant whitetails. Iowa ranks second and third for the number of P&Y and B&C entries of typical and nontypical whitetails respectively, making it one of the top trophy producers in the country. The state record typical whitetail, killed by Justin Yaeger in 2003, scored 201-4/8 inches and ranks as the seventh largest whitetail ever recorded by P&Y. The state record nontypical whitetail, killed by Tony Lovstuen in 2003, scored 307-5/8 inches and ranks as the second largest whitetail ever recorded by B&C.
Iowa has a deer population of about 400,000 animals, which is managed by a county-based antlerless quota system that aims to reduce deer numbers to socially acceptable levels and prevent crop damage and disease outbreaks. The state offers long archery seasons from October to December and January to February, and shorter gun seasons in December and January. The NDA reports that 52 percent of bucks harvested in Iowa in 2020 were 3.5 years old or older, which is the highest rate in the country.
Iowa has about 700,000 acres of public land open to hunting, including state forests, parkswildlife areas, and national wildlife refuges. Some of the best public land hunting can be found in southeastern Iowa, where fertile farmland and wooded river bottoms create ideal whitetail habitat. The Shimek State Forest, Stephens State Forest, Lake Darling State Park, and Odessa Wildlife Management Area are some of the top public land destinations in this area.
These are just five of the best whitetail hunting spots in the USA, but there are many more to explore and enjoy. Whitetail deer are a versatile and adaptable species that can thrive in a variety of habitats and climates. No matter where you live or hunt, there is a whitetail destination for you. All you need is a license, a weapon, and a passion for hunting these magnificent animals.
