The best places to go deer hunting.
Whitetail deer are found from southern Canada to South America. But when it comes to serious hunters targeting the biggest trophy bucks it really boils down to the Midwestern States and the Canadian Provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta.
There are several Midwestern states to consider and they are namely in no specific order: Kansas, Iowa and Illinois are top choices, while Missouri, Nebraska, Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio come in secondary choices. The reason being is that the former manages their herds better by “limiting the tags sold” while the latter are “unlimited-over-the counter” states.
Alberta has extremely high trophy quality for whitetails and mule deer.
Alberta has been known as a whitetail hunting mecca for a years. Your chance for a Boone and Crockett buck is as good, or better than almost anywhere on the planet. Alberta whitetail deer hunts are in high demand, and usually book years in advance. There is a very real chance of taking a 170+ class buck with our outfitter, with bigger deer than that taken every year….even a few monster bucks over 200 inches!
OUTDOORS INTERNATIONAL clients get access to prime deer hunting habitat – a mix of prime farm land, fringe and heavily wooded areas…and because of that, our outfitters consistently take B&C bucks. Another great thing about Alberta is you can combo your whitetail hunt with a mule deer or a moose.
Illinois is well known through out the whitetail hunting community as the land of the giants, and is always on the short list for top deer hunting destinations. For the trophy of a lifetime, look know further. Hunting Illinois deer in the Golden Triangle in Adams, Hancock and Pike county.
- Illinois has above average trophy quality.
- Illinois is a draw state, but the archery tags never sell out, which basically makes it an over-the-counter tag.
Zone 5 is known as the best deer hunting in Iowa.
Iowa deer hunting is considered by many hunters as the heavyweight of Midwestern whitetail states. It ranks #2 according to both the Pope and Young and Boone and Crockett records, even though it gives out the least amount of tags of any other state excluding Kansas.
- Iowa hunters are chosen by a draw system, and they do have preference points. Hunter safety certificate may be required if born on or after January 1, 1967.
- Archery Season: 4th week October, through November
- Shotgun and Muzzleloader Seasons:
- 1st Season begins the first Saturday in December
- 2nd Season begins the second Saturday in December
- Late December through early January (muzzleloader)
- No rifle hunting is allowed in Iowa.
This state only allows shotgun, muzzleloader, handgun and archery seasons. The archery hunt is possibly the best in the world, but it has gotten very difficult to draw a tag (but it’s worth the wait). Because it’s become so difficult to draw an archery tag, the gun hunts have been exceptional because some farms go nearly un-hunted until the firearms seasons.
It is no secret that Kansas deer hunting produces some of the Midwest’s best Boone & Crockett qualifying whitetails. Kansas deer hunting is by draw only, but if you book two years in advance and get a preference point, you’re typically guaranteed to draw.
No draw! Missouri tags are available over the counter. Hunter safety certificate may be required if born on or after January 1, 1967. Missouri deer hunting ranks #5 according to Pope and Young and Boone and Crockett entries. There are “undiscovered” farms in this state that are just about unhunted. Don’t overlook it Missouri!
- Archery Season: Last week Oct through the first few weeks of November.
- Rifle Season: Mid November.
Montana license application is literally a draw. License application deadline is March 15 for the same calendar year. While literally a draw, Montana non-resident deer hunting licenses have not been selling out. For a long time there have been licenses available over the counter even after drawing. Depending on age, Hunters Safety card may be required. In some areas of Montana, you can combo with mule deer or antelope.
Nebraska deer hunting permits are over-the-counter with no draw required, and permits are cheap when compared to other states. Another good thing about hunting in Nebraska is that you can hunt whitetails and/or mule deer, and you can take two deer per season.
Ohio deer hunting is some of the best in the country, and tags are available over the counter, since it’s a no-draw state. License and permits can be purchased online. All hunters and trappers must complete an education course.
- Ohio has Over-the-Counter Deer Tags. Your Ohio deer hunting permit is good for an antlered or antlerless deer and is valid statewide.
- Great trophy quality. Ohio ranks #4 for the number of record book whitetails in the record books.
- Ohio has a statewide bag limit of six deer (only one of which can be antlered).
- Hunt with archery, guns or muzzleloaders.
Our Saskatchewan deer hunts are a slam dunk, and for that reason, they’re one of our favorite hunts to send our clients on.
There’s a good reason that Saskatchewan deer hunting is so renowned…it currently holds the world record typical, the Hanson Buck which scores a whopping 213 5/8 inches, Boone and Crockett.
South Dakota deer hunting archery tags are available over-the-counter for both residents and non-residents. Rifle tags are guaranteed for residents. Non-residents must apply for leftover rifle tags.
Texas deer hunting is great! It’s is one of the top 10 states for Boone and Crockett whitetail entries, so depending on where/how you’re hunting, trophy quality can be good to amazing. Texas has over the counter tags and license, but you must have taken a hunter education class if you were born after September, 1 1971.
You’ll see a lot of deer. For some reason Texas is crawling with whitetails, and actually has one of the largest deer herds in the country with three to four million animals. It doesn’t look like it could hold as many animals as it does.
The Northeastern Corner of Washington state has long been known as a deer hunting hot spot. Washington state whitetail hunting and is fast becoming known nationwide. If you haven’t heard about it yet, you will.
Wisconsin deer hunting is recognized as one of the premier states for trophy whitetail hunting. Harvest permits and licenses are not available online, but can be purchased at a variety of businesses and locations throughout the state. Resident and nonresident licenses are available; prices vary by residency, season, bag method and special designations. Hunters need to have proof of hunter education if born after January 1, 1973.
If you haven’t been considering Wyoming whitetail deer hunts when you’re planning your hunting season you should. You’ll see a lot of deer every day, and trophy bucks are a real possibility. Plus, you can use your tag for either a whitetail or a mule deer, AND you can combo with an antelope! In recent years, whitetail hunts have 100% draw odds, so preference points are not needed. *Wyoming allows compound bows or crossbows during archery season.
*check Regulations in the state you are hunting
*an extra release is recommended