Whitetail Deer Hunts

Whitetail Deer Hunts

The whitetail deer is the most common and commonly hunted big-game animal in North America. They inhabit nearly every state and province on the continent, providing great hunting opportunities and excitement.

There’s something about whitetail hunting, particularly hunting for a wily four to five-year-old mature buck, that really gets into the blood of most whitetail hunters.

The top states for whitetail deer hunting in the United States are:

1 – Wisconsin

2 – Illinois 

3 – Iowa

4 – Minnesota 

5 – Ohio 

6 – Kentucky

7 – Missouri 

8 – Kansas

Wisconsin Whitetail Deer Hunting

Wisconsin is recognized nationwide as one of the country’s best white-tailed deer hunting states; It has both a large herd and a reputation for producing some of the biggest bucks in the world. There are over seven million acres of land open for public hunting across a diverse range of habitats; you can pursue the experience that suits you, from walking all day on a fresh track in the great Northwoods to sitting in the fertile river bottoms and agricultural lands in the south.

Whether you are new to hunting or working on your 30th season, Wisconsin has what you need for great hunting and a lifetime of memories in the woods.

Illinois Whitetail Deer Hunting

When folks talk about rural Illinois, two things are often at the center of the conversation: incredibly fertile crops and giant whitetails. 

Colorful hardwood ridges drop down to sprawling fields accented by rocky riverbeds. This helps define some of the best wildlife habitats on earth. Lush foliage and working farmland are a proven recipe for growing some of the nation’s biggest bucks. And these mature herds attract hunters from across the country. 

More than 20 native oak species, like the swamp white oak, are prominent throughout the state's forests. Sugar maples, cottonwoods, and other varieties are synonymous with Illinois and Midwest timber. In addition, strategically placed treestands and hunting blinds allow hunters to experience memorable whitetail encounters.

Iowa Whitetail Deer Hunting

Like other states in the Midwest, Iowa produces some outstanding white-tailed deer. Abundant food and mild winter weather make it possible for Iowa's whitetails to become large in body and, if allowed to grow to maturity, often grow impressive antlers. As a result, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) maintains a record book of the largest antlered deer harvested in the state with firearms and archery equipment. Those who successfully harvest a deer in Iowa with trophy-sized antlers are encouraged to enter the rack in Iowa's big game registry. The DNR will issue award certificates to eligible entries that meet minimum standards. To qualify for an award, the rack must be measured by an official measurer. You can search for an official measure in Iowa by searching for those certified through the Boone and Crockett Club or the Pope and Young Club.

Minnesota Whitetail Deer Hunting

Minnesota has a whitetail population in excess of one million. Generally, the best deer hunting is in eastern and central counties. Anoka, Dakota, Dodge, Fillmore, Hennepin, Houston, Morrison, Olmsted, Otter Tail, St. Louis, Washington, and Winona are great destinations for huge deer and good deer densities. Deer populations are robust in central Minnesota and are above goal levels throughout nearly all central Minnesota deer permit areas. Many permit areas allow a hunter to harvest up to three deer, and hunters can harvest up to five deer in certain areas that are part of the deer management zone.

Ohio Whitetail Deer Hunting

Ohio deer hunting continues to top the list of trophy whitetail destinations, primarily due to an excellent deer management program. Ohio's deer management program controls its herd by harvesting does while maintaining a conservative buck harvest. Hunters are allowed to harvest one buck per year. This allows for a balanced population while maintaining the conditions for Ohio to produce world-class deer.
Ohio is home to the biggest whitetail bucks in the world, including the second non-typical of all time, the legendary "Hole in the Horn" buck. This gargantuan whitetail buck was found dead in Portage County, Ohio in 1940, scoring an unheard-of 328 inches!

Kentucky Whitetail Deer Hunting 

When it comes to top-end bucks, it's hard to beat counties that border the Ohio River and those in the western half of the state. Some of the best include Breckinridge, Butler, Christian, Daviess, Edmonson, Grayson, Hancock, Hardin, Hart, Henderson, Hopkins, Logan, Muhlenberg, Ohio, and Todd.

Missouri Whitetail Deer Hunting

While in many other states, for hunting, the whitetail is initially more appealing, Missouri whitetail hunting is challenging. When early outfitters first arrived to set up shop, the Missouri land still had a virtually untouched environment – unspoiled by massive hunts. As a result, many outfitters’ clients harvested whitetail bucks that were much bigger than in other regions of the U.S. More famous counties for outfitting, like Webb County, Texas, and Pike County, Illinois, present wonderful opportunities to harvest big deer. Still, many professional hunters and outfitters know that Missouri most generally offered bigger bucks for harvest due to a lack of hunting pressure and no planning. The Missouri Deer Herd is an undisturbed herd that holds true dream bucks that have not been hunted correctly, allowing for a sportsman’s paradise.

Kansas Whitetail Deer Hunting

A monster buck harvested last year in Chase County is considered one of the biggest ever harvested in North America. Certified measurers from the Boone and Crockett Club unofficially scored the World-Class whitetail buck at 321 3/8 inches last year.

Canada Whitetail Deer Hunting

Canada also has a large number of whitetail deer.

Alberta Whitetail Deer Hunting

The region's name alone conjures images of clear blue skies, crystal streams, waterfalls, forests without end, and a lot of trophy whitetail bucks to hunt. Alberta, Canada, an extremely popular tourist destination for a number of reasons, could never sell its reputation as the perfect hunting destination too much, as it is one of the most desirable destinations for whitetail hunters in Canada. 
While many Alberta outfitters provide superior whitetail-hunting equipment and guidance, there are some crucial pointers that any level of sportsman pursuing whitetail should follow. 
Probably the most important is that for a successful Alberta trophy whitetail hunt, you must have a rifle accurate to 300 yards and the ability to shoot it well.

British Columbia Whitetail Deer Hunting

The whitetail deer’s range extends from British Columbia to Nova Scotia and southward through the entire United States. The deer like areas where the snow is not too deep, so they choose these places to live in B.C. They also like valleys with less snow cover, making it easier for them to find food.

Saskatchewan Whitetail Deer Hunting

Suppose the word Saskatchewan doesn’t summon visions of rugged mountain men, vast expanses of frozen wilderness, and snow-tinged whitetails in a massive clearing. In that case, we simply don’t know what could. Saskatchewan is virtually synonymous with adventure, nature, and freedom, especially for the sportsman yearning for the first taste of the Saskatchewan whitetail-hunting season.
Many Saskatchewan outfitters hunt in or near the provincial forest, approximately 30 miles southeast of Meadow Lake. Consisting of thousands and thousands of acres of wilderness, the area offers the best deer habitat and whitetail deer hunting in the Saskatchewan region. Saskatchewan bucks are known for their big bodies and many sport equally impressive racks!