If you enjoy hunting then you will probably be aware that location is very significant in how good a place is. When you are looking to go hunting, finding out where to go is probably the most crucial decision you need to make.
Location can be the difference between a successful hunt, and a shoddy one.
There are many things that will determine how you pick where you hunt, and a big part of it is population, however it is also population density.
So, we have put this list together of some of the top states to go deer hunting!
Don’t forget that if you have someone who loves hunting in your life, always be on the lookout for an ideal gift to get them, check out https://www.deerhuntingguide.net/gifts-for-hunters.html for some amazing ideas!
The Best Places To Hunt Deer In The U.S.
It is believed that the total population of deer in the U.S. is around 33.5 million or so, however, this massive number is hardly spread out all over the country!
Many factors can cause a rise or fall in the population of deer in any one area. Part of it can be due to the amount of active hunters in the area, the terrain and environment of a state and more.
Well, let’s look at some of our top states and then look at some overall numbers.
Do note that numbers aren’t everything, though, because many other factors contribute
#1. Texas
Texas is one of the best places to score yourself a set of antlers, there is a saying that everything is bigger in Texas, and the deer are included. A huge amount of the whitetail trophy hunting often happens on ranches in Texas, which can be costly.
However, you can still have plenty of opportunity to get a deer on public land, it just takes a little research! And if you’re looking for high-quality deer mounts for sale, check out All-Taxidermy’s products.
#2. Missouri
Missouri has many bucks to go around, and as the state has a fairly low population of hunters, it is a great shot, or a two-buck state. There are a few antler restrictions in some of the counties, but this should not get in your way.
Hunters who are not residents can also hunt without going through the draw processes needed for a tag too!
#3. Kansas
There have been 239 whitetails killed in Kansas in the last decade. Note, Kansas and Iowa are similar in their deer hunting demand for tags, and it can be awhile before you get the tag that you want.
However, once you’ve got it, there will be so many places for you to hunt on public land and acres open through landowner access!
If you are traveling through Kansas City to hunt, check out Joe’s KC BBQ! We love that place, it’s the best KC BBQ around.
#4. Illinois
Illinois has the green-triangle of counties, and there have been many deer harvested in these areas (Adams, Brown, and Pike).
Although the attention these places get are on a huge national level, you can still get amazing deer here. And it’s even better later in the year during muzzleloader seasons!
#5. Minnesota
While a majority of the public land in Minnesota is in the northern parts of the state, a vast amount of the bucks that are hunted are in the south-eastern part of the state.
Nonetheless, wherever you find yourself in Minnesota there will be endless opportunities to find great deer and epic hunting!
Which States Have The Highest Deer Population?
Now, let’s look at some numbers, because for some hunters, what really matters is the amount of deer they will be able to find in any one place.
These are just rough estimates for 2022, we cannot confirm the exact number, it’s not exactly easy to go out and count every single deer. But, here are some estimates to give you an idea.
- 4 million Deer: Texas
- 1.8 million Deer: Alabama, Mississippi.
- 1.3 million Deer: Missouri.
- 1.2 million Deer: Georgia, Wisconsin.
- 1.1 million Deer: Arkansas.
- 1 million Deer: Indiana, Minnesota.
- 900,000 Deer: Kentucky.
- 850,000 Deer: Illinois.
- 800,000 Deer: Ohio.
- 650,000 Deer: Kansas.
- 500,000 Deer: Oklahoma.
- 400,000 Deer: Iowa.
- 375,000 Deer: Nebraska.
- 300,000 Deer: South Dakota.
- 90,000 Deer: North Dakota.
- 60,000 Deer: Wyoming.
- 25,000 Deer: Colorado.
The states that have the least amount of hunting pressure for deer include; Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas, and Mississippi among others.
It might be worth a trip to Alabama for some deer hunting!
If you want a state with a dense deer population then Mississippi, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Kentucky are good choices
Leave a Reply