Whitetail Resource Question

[J. Holden]

Hey TradGang, I'm in the pursuit of my own hunting property to buy.  I'm wondering if there is a resource that can tell me the ranking of our states in regards to whitetail numbers, herd health and such.  I think QDMA may have that.  Any where else I should check?

Thanks for the input.

-Jeremy

[Nomadstalker]

Originally posted by J. Holden:
Hey TradGang, I'm in the pursuit of my own hunting property to buy.  I'm wondering if there is a resource that can tell me the ranking of our states in regards to whitetail numbers, herd health and such.  I think QDMA may have that.  Any where else I should check?

Thanks for the input.

-Jeremy

Save yourself some research drudgery.  Buy your land in northeast NC (Northampton, Bertie, Halifax, Hertford, Edgecomb counties ) affordable land, massive deer herds, decent bucks, great weather, and the most friendly people imaginable

[yeager]

As a measurer for Pope & Young, I can tell you a lot of nice deer come from Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois,Indiana, and Kansas. A great resource would be one of their editions of Bowhunting Records of North American Whitetail Deer or even a copy of their quarterly "Ethics" magazines.

[Michael Arnette]

What Yeager said

[Michael Arnette]

...then there are sleeper states, I would put Kentucky and Oklahoma in this category, Missouri will be very soon with their management changes. Reasonably priced land, good numbers, and fair genetics.
Look at it this way, pay out the nose for a chance at that one accasional 190"  deer or pay more reasonably for greater opportunity at 140-150 inchers where deer seldom hit 180 before death.

[J. Holden]

Thanks for the input/opinions.  I'm not necessarily looking for trophies.  I'm wanting opportunities.  I keep looking at Wisconsin though.  I don't know.  Thanks again for input.

-Jeremy

[J. Holden]

Thank you Yeager for the suggestion.  I will look and see if I can find them on line.

-Jeremy

[Jakeemt]

Originally posted by Nomadstalker:
 

-Jeremy [/b]

Save yourself some research drudgery.  Buy your land in northeast NC (Northampton, Bertie, Halifax, Hertford, Edgecomb counties ) affordable land, massive deer herds, decent bucks, great weather, and the most friendly people imaginable [/QB]

Except they won't let you hunt on Sunday's!

[FlintNSteel]

I think it would help to understand your goals.  I would use one set of criteria if my goal was to hunt truly mature whitetails bucks (4.5 yrs old +)than if my goal was to have a super long season and liberal bag limits to shoot a bunch of deer.

In SE MN we have some excellent mature buck hunting, and in extreme SE MN (Houston County) the bag limits continue to be pretty liberal for a Northern state (up to 5 deer with 1 being a buck).  But land costs are high...$2500 and up an acre for wooded hillsides, and $4000 - $5000 and mostly up for any agricultural land.

[J. Holden]

My goal is to own a piece of hunting land that is in a state with good management of their whitetail.  I'm not saying Illinois doesn't do a good job.  However I think there are states that take their role in management with a little more dedication and appreciation.  That's what I'm looking for.

-Jeremy

[JARHEAD1371]

Having lived and hunted in several different states, including IL and NC, I would personally not choose either state to own hunting property. My family operates a big farm in southern IL and we have some excellent deer on the property. Unfortunately, the far northern part of IL ruins the rest of the state. NC has been a very frustrating state for me to hunt in. The dog hunters are known for doing whatever they want and greatly ruin good management.  
As stated by others, KS, SD, ND, NE, WY, MT, and OK would be the states that I would look closely at. Good luck in your search.

[J. Holden]

First thank you for your service.  Secondly thank you for your opinion.  I live in the far north east corner of the state.  I understand your frustration.  I can't wait to move.

-Jeremy

[Bowwild]

I would want the land as close to where I live as possible. If I had to travel to the hunt the land I'd spend the money on outfitted or drop camp trips instead.

I can see mine from the deck.