What do deer hunting and real estate have in common? Location matters. When planning a deer hunt, determining a location is the first and most important decision that you’ll make, and the location you decide upon can make a drastic difference to how your hunt goes.
There are plenty of different factors that go into picking the best states for hunters, and it all starts by looking at the deer population statistics. Read on to take a look at the data for yourself and use it to help you decide where to go for your next hunt!
Table of Contents
- The Overall Top 10 States for Deer Hunters
- Deer Population by State
- States with the Lowest Hunting Pressure
- States with the Highest Deer Density
- Top-Ranked States in Terms of Annual Harvest
- Take Full Advantage of Your Tag This Season
The Overall Top 10 States for Deer Hunters
It is estimated that the total US deer population is somewhere around 33.5 million deer. However, that is not an evenly spread figure across all fifty states. There are several variables that can cause a boom or bust in the deer population of a state, including the state’s terrain, environment, and how many active hunters live there.
But what do the numbers tell us? Here’s a rundown of the top ten states for deer hunting based on the best whitetail B&C (Boone & Crockett, the typical deer ranking system) rankings in the past decade:
Wisconsin
Far and away, Wisconsin is the highest producer of B&C-ranked whitetails. The deer reach massive sizes, and with an abundance of federal and state-owned land, any hunter who is willing to research, walk and put in the work has a chance to score a great deer.
Kentucky
Despite the fact that Kentucky is a one-buck-per-year state, that hasn’t stopped hunters there from having success. Since 2010 alone, Kentucky hunters have killed over 345 bucks that have made the minimum for the B&C record book, and the state is also home to five of the top counties in the country for B&C entries.
Ohio
With over 370 bucks logged to reach B&C’s record book minimum since 2010, Ohio has proven itself over the past decade to be a great hunting ground for hunters looking for a big score. Bowhunters have an advantage in this state since their season starts well before the rut and lasts for months.
Indiana
With over 55,000 acres of public land available to Indianans, there are plenty of opportunities for hunters all across the state. It’s home to three counties that consistently rank high on the B&C buck list (Fayette, Delaware, and Jasper Park) and the peak of the rut always proves fruitful for hunters across the state.
Iowa
It’s pretty well known that Iowa produces some monster bucks, and with over 300,000 acres of public land available to hunters, you have plenty of chances to hunt one down. The only reason that Iowa isn’t higher up on this list is because of the demand for buck tags — you have to enter a lottery for one of the state’s buck tags, and it takes three or four years for nonresident hunters to accrue preference points in order to secure a tag.
Minnesota
Although most of the public land in the state is located in the remote northern region, the majority of big B&C-ranked bucks are being killed in the southeast corner of the state. However, regardless of where you go within the state, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to track down a great deer.
Illinois
Much has been made of the Illinois “Golden Triangle” of counties (Pike, Brown, and Adams) and the legendary deer that have been harvested there. Despite the attention the region gets on a national level, these counties continue to provide great deer — even later on in the year during rifle or muzzleloader seasons.
Kansas
In the past decade, over 239 whitetails have been killed in Kansas that made the B&C book. Like Iowa, there is a large demand for tags, and it can take a few years of adding up preference points for you to get the tag that you want. But, once you finally get the tag, you’ll have plenty of places to hunt via public land and acres open to hunters through landowner-access programs.
Missouri
There are plenty of bucks to go around in Missouri. Thanks to the state’s lower hunter population, it’s a two-buck state (one of the two must be taken with archery gear), and although there are some antler restrictions in a few counties, that shouldn’t stop you from getting some solid deer. Nonresident hunters can also hunt here without going through a lottery or draw process for a tag.
Texas
They say everything is bigger in Texas, and the deer are no exception. Most of the trophy whitetail hunting happens on Texas ranches, which can be exclusive and pricey. But with that being said, there are still plenty of opportunities to track down a great deer on public land — you just have to do your research and hunt a little harder.
Deer Population by State
Are you just looking to go to the place where the most deer are available to hunt? According to a 2015 deer population estimate by North American Whitetail magazine, here are the states with the largest deer populations:
- Texas: Estimated population of 4 million
- Alabama: Estimated population of 1.8 million
- Mississippi: Estimated population of 1.8 million
- Missouri: Estimated population of 1.3 million
- Georgia: Estimated population of 1.2 million
- Wisconsin: Estimated population of 1.2 million
- Arkansas: Estimated population of 1.1 million
- Indiana: Estimated population of 1 million
- Minnesota: Estimated population of 1 million
- Kentucky: Estimated population of 900,000
- Illinois: Estimated population of 850,000
- Ohio: Estimated population of 800,000
- Kansas: Estimated population of 650,000
- Oklahoma: Estimated population of 500,000
- Iowa: Estimated population of 400,000
- Nebraska: Estimated population of 375,000
- South Dakota: Estimated population of 300,000
- North Dakota: Estimated population of 90,000
- Wyoming: Estimated population of 60,000
- Colorado: Estimated population of 25,000
States with the Lowest Hunting Pressure
Unfortunately, when you are hunting deer, the deer isn’t the only thing you have to worry about. You’re also indirectly competing with other hunters across the state. The number of deer hunters by state is oftentimes referred to as the state’s hunting pressure, and hunting in a state with too much pressure can leave you with an unfilled tag at the end of the year.
Here’s a list of the ten states with the least amount of hunting pressure:
- Georgia: Deer-to-license ratio of 3.8:1
- Texas: Deer-to-license ratio of 3.8:1
- North Carolina: Deer-to-license ratio of 4:1
- Kentucky: Deer-to-license ratio of 4.2:1
- Kansas: Deer-to-license ratio of 5:1
- South Carolina: Deer-to-license ratio of 5:1
- Florida: Deer-to-license ratio of 6.3:1
- Idaho: Deer-to-license ratio of 8.7:1
- Mississippi: Deer-to-license ratio of 11.3:1
- Virginia: Deer-to-license ratio of 13.1:1
States with the Highest Deer Density
The deer density of a state refers to the average amount of deer found per square mile. Obviously, there are a few factors to this metric, such as the size of the state, the amount of urban vs. rural land, etc.
Courtesy of onX Hunt, here are the eight states in the USA with the highest deer density:
- Mississippi: 38 deer per square mile
- Pennsylvania: 34 deer per square mile
- Wisconsin: 33 deer per square mile
- Michigan: 31 deer per square mile
- Indiana: 28 deer per square mile
- Alabama: 25 deer per square mile
- South Carolina: 24 deer per square mile
- Kentucky: 23 deer per square mile
Top-Ranked States in Terms of Annual Harvest
Let’s get down to brass tacks here — which states are harvesting the most deer on a consistent basis? These numbers obviously draw on all of the metrics previously mentioned, but they still paint a good picture of which hunters are having the most success around the country throughout the past decade.
Take Full Advantage of Your Tag This Season
Do all of these numbers and statistics have you pumped up and ready for deer hunting season to begin? Understanding the numbers is only half of the battle — the other half is preparation. That’s where Silencer Central can help you out. We offer a wide variety of silencers, accessories, and services that can have you and your gun ready for the fall. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you harvest the deer of your dreams this autumn!
GET STARTED!
FAQs
What states are ranked by best deer hunting? ›
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin record some of the highest antlered buck harvest rates in the country, with Pennsylvania topping the charts in 2021 with estimates of 145,320 harvested bucks.
What state has the most Boone and Crockett bucks? ›#1 – Wisconsin
Wisconsin is the #1 ranked state with 1,822 total entries and six counties in the top 20 U.S. counties with the most records produced.
Even though Ohio, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, and Kentucky get tons of press for their huge whitetails, the record books don't lie. Wisconsin leads the pack for Boone & Crockett entries. Pritzl recognized the areas that routinely produce the biggest Badger State bucks.
What state hunts the most deer? ›Texas had over 1 million paid hunting-license holders during 2018, according to the F&WS, a total that's No. 1 in the nation. The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department estimates hunters harvest 430,000 to 500,000 whitetails annually, which is also No. 1 in the country.
What state has the best overall hunting? ›1. Alaska. If you're already a hunter, this choice needs no explanation. It's the Jurassic Park of big game hunting.
What state kills the biggest bucks? ›Indiana has been turning out more giant whitetails each season, and based on the most recent Boone & Crockett records, it's now the number one trophy deer state in the country.
What time of day are most big bucks killed? ›Early Morning and Late Afternoon
No matter what the conditions, deer move best early of a morning and late of an afternoon. That's when they're wired to move most. It's when their eyesight is most effective. And there are few things that impact this movement, other than hunting pressure.
Today, Colorado has the largest herd in the United States, about 300,000 animals. Elk in Montana, Oregon, Idaho and Wyoming number between 100,000 and 150,000. New Mexico, Utah and Washington have 50,000 to 80,000 elk, and Arizona, Nevada, California and Kentucky have 10,000 to 25,000 elk.
How many deer should be on 100 acres? ›What is the best deer density for my property? There are a lot of variables that determine the optimal deer density for a property, but 20-30 acres per deer is a relatively safe goal to start out with.
Which state has the largest herd of whitetail deer? ›Texas is home to the most white-tailed deer of any U.S. state or Canadian province, with an estimated population of 5.3 million.
What is the whitetail capital of the world? ›
In recent years local deer hunters also have become very selective about what they harvest. This all came together enough in the fall of 2006 to perhaps borrow the title "the whitetail capital of the world" from places like Pike County, Illinois, and award it to Adams County!
What state has the smallest deer? ›The Key deer is America's smallest deer and is found only in the lower Florida Keys, including at the National Key Deer Refuge. When Key deer were listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1967, there were fewer than 50 remaining in the wild. This was largely due to hunting and loss of habitat.
What time of year are bucks most active? ›What Season Are Deer Most Active? It should come as no surprise that deer take advantage of feeding times when vegetation is most abundant, which is between April and September in most regions. During these months, deer can feast on fields of soybean, alfalfa and other greens.
What state has the best bucks? ›Wisconsin is the top state in the nation of trophy whitetail records, with a whopping 1,822 record bucks registered since the Boone and Crockett Club records began.
What state has the longest deer season? ›Virginia has unique hunting-season opportunities for hunters compared to other states. The longest deer season in the United States is in northern Virginia near Washington, D.C. There is no daily deer limit, and hunters can take any deer they want.
Where do deer shoot the most meat? ›Aim right behind the shoulder and one-third of the way up from the deer's belly line to penetrate the lungs, heart or one of the major arteries. For sharper quartering away positions, aim for the offside shoulder farthest away. Often, this means just behind the rib cage, sending the bullet through the stomach first.
Which state has the least hunting pressure? ›The least pressured state in the country is none other than Virginia. That's one of the reasons it has made the A grade in our Antler Nation grading system for three years running now. People don't often think about this state for good deer hunting.
What is the best place to deer hunt? ›In flat ground, I seek out areas that are thick and wet. Bucks need hiding spots to reach older age classes. In open or dry terrain, gun hunters can easily kill most or all of the bucks before they reach maturity (4½ or older). Marshes and swamps are great places to start.
What state has the most wild game? ›Alaska puts the BIG in big game opportunities. Home to some of the world's largest Grizzly and brown bear, as well as moose, mountain goat, and elk.
How big is a 150 class buck? ›For this buck, a very symmetrical buck, we can total the antler measurements to be roughly 51-52 inches. By multiplying 51-52 inches by two, taking the shortcut in estimating the score of the other antler, we can arrive that this buck's antlers are around 102-104 inches.
What is the most point deer? ›
In 1971, the Jordan Buck was sent to Pennsylvania to be officially scored by a Boone & Crockett judges' panel. The deer was declared a new world record with a final net typical score of 206 1/8 points.
What age are bucks the biggest? ›A white-tailed buck generally does not reach its maximum body and antler size until it is 4.5 to 9.5 years old. The Oklahoma buck harvest data implied that only 4% of the buck population got old enough to express its growth potential. Only a fraction of this 4% had the genetics and nutrition to produce trophies.
Where do big bucks bed down? ›A southwest-facing slope provides two key elements a buck will look for in a bedding area: headwind and sunshine. This allows them to smell danger long before they see it and seek out a little warmth in the colder months. Mature bucks will typically lay down with a thick stand of trees at their backs.
How long should you sit in a deer stand in the morning? ›During all times but the rut, I like to plan for a solid, 3 hour sit. Because of blocked and hidden access there are certain stand or blind locations that I can easily slip into an hour to two hours before dark, even with deer in front of the stand location.
Do big bucks move in the middle of the day? ›There will be a mid-day activity period just like always, but deer, especially bucks, can move at all times.
What state is the easiest to draw an elk tag? ›Utah: Best State for Drawing a Tag
But the better news is that Utah squares its drawing process so even first-time applicants have a chance of drawing an excellent elk tag.
Area 1 - $13,000.00 (approximate size 420-450) $10,900.00 (approximate size 390-420) Area 2- $7,900.00 (approximate size 350-390)
What is the easiest state to hunt elk? ›Colorado is often at the top of the list for beginner elk hunters. The state has more elk than any other, with more than 280,000 animals. Colorado sells either sex and cow-only archery tags over the counter. For rifle hunters, bull tags can be purchased over the counter for the state's second and third rifle seasons.
What state has the smallest bucks? ›The Key deer is America's smallest deer and is found only in the lower Florida Keys, including at the National Key Deer Refuge. When Key deer were listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1967, there were fewer than 50 remaining in the wild. This was largely due to hunting and loss of habitat.
Where is the best place to hunt deer? ›In flat ground, I seek out areas that are thick and wet. Bucks need hiding spots to reach older age classes. In open or dry terrain, gun hunters can easily kill most or all of the bucks before they reach maturity (4½ or older). Marshes and swamps are great places to start.
What is the largest white tail ever found? ›
The largest whitetail deer ever recorded was a massive 540 pounds! The largest whitetail deer ever recorded was a massive buck that weighed an estimated 540 pounds. This huge male was shot and killed by hunter John Annett in Ontario, Canada in 1977 and is rumored to be the largest white-tail ever seen.
What county has the biggest bucks? ›The current P&Y World's Record was taken by Michael Beatty from Green County, Ohio, in 2000 and scores 294 points. The second largest on record is a deer taken in 1962 in Nebraska by Del Austin with a score of 279-7/8 points.
What time do most bucks get killed? ›Early Morning and Late Afternoon
No matter what the conditions, deer move best early of a morning and late of an afternoon. That's when they're wired to move most. It's when their eyesight is most effective. And there are few things that impact this movement, other than hunting pressure.
Age Estimate: 2 ½-Year-Old Buck
Often, it grows between six and 10 points, with a typical average number of eight points. The head is still long and slender. Body weight distribution shows a heavier rump than front end.
White-tailed deer are found in every state in the U. S. except Alaska and in only small parts of Utah, Nevada and California. The mule deer range is primarily in western states.
What is the cheapest state to hunt deer? ›Missouri. Of all the Midwestern states, Missouri is hard to beat for affordability. An archery license costs only $265, and the 2.5 million acres of public land hunting can be darn good. I've hunted Missouri twice for whitetails and once for turkeys and have encountered huge bucks everywhere I've been.
What are the best over-the-counter states to hunt? ›Fortunately, there's no shortage of whitetail states that sell over-the-counter tags. Some states with good public land opportunities to check out include Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan. Many states also allow hunters to buy multiple inexpensive doe tags.