DIY out of state Whitetail hunt for 2012-13

[Glenn29]

Starting to look into some options for a DIY public land hunt out of the State of Florida and somewhere like Ohio, Kentucky, Kansas, Missouri. This hunt will be just me and my father.

Looks like Ohio has plenty of public land and license fees aren't to bad. Kansas looks good also but I guess you have to be drawn for tags?

Would love to do an Elk Hunt but I think I need more time to prepare.

Thanks Gang!

[lpcjon2]

Maybestart of with a hunt closer to home like the Carolinas,just so you can work out the bugs and such. Then plan a hunt a little farther away. And Ohio has some nice deer and agresive terrain to think about as well.

[gringol]

Glenn,
I'd be interested in a hunt within Florida next year if you're interested.

[Tom Leemans]

Missouri has some good public hunting and one of the best over the counter programs out there.
  missouri  
I'm told Montana is good too.

[MAGICMAN]

Kansas gives so many tags that with archery that is almost a for sure thing you will draw a tag! Plus they always have leftovers!

[Altiman94]

I would go for Kansas, much more public land and tag availability.  IA has pretty poor public land (I've hunted it for 15 years).  You'll most likely see deer during archery season but quality is poor.

[Glenn29]

Thanks for the input fellas! I hunt Florida and have no problem putting meat in the freezer and I also use to have leases in Georgia and have put a few deer on the wall and plenty in the freezer but just looking for something different.

Have always dreamed of the big deer in Kansas, Missori, Ohio, etc...

Also going to start planning an Elk hunt for me and my father to do in a couple years or sooner if possible.

Life is just to short to hunt one place...

Gringol...where you at in Florida?

[Earl Jeff]

Glenn I have hunted spring turkey in Kansas a few times now and there is a good amount of public land and by the size of some of the sheds I have picked up some Big buck.

[BoonRoto]

Kansas has the LEAST amount of public land in the country. It can be found but you are likely going to be sharing it, especially if you want to hunt the early part of November.

[Glenn29]

I'm thinking Kansas is out then just to many if's...

I'm actually kinda of focusing in on Kentucky and Ohio. Both are within a 13 hour drive from Central Florida and both have alot of public land it seems.

But keep the suggestions coming.....

[anchorman]

Living here in Kansas I will agree with BoonRoto...the last few years more and more people are coming here and the public is starting to get a little crowed at times in many areas...

[buckeye_hunter]

I would honestly look somewhere other than Ohio. SE Ohio is getting hit really hard by Penn, NJ, NY and WV hunters as well as hunters from our own state. The cheap tags are bringing in the hunters by the dozens.

Our deer harvest is down in all of the counties with major public hunting land according to ODNR. The private land is still holding large numbers of deer, but poaching and liberal antlerless tags have had a BIG impact on the public lands I hunted this year. I did see some decent deer, but nothing like I am used to seeing on average.

If you can find some private land to hunt, you will be in good shape. I personally wouldn't travel from out of state to hunt our public land at this time. I am finding it harder and harder to get deep enough into the woods to be away from pressured areas.

Good luck! Keep an open mind though as this is just my opinion and observation. It is backed to a large degree by the numbers ODNR has posted though.

Good luck!

[ishoot4thrills]

Plenty of public land here in KY. You can purchase a non-resident, over-the-counter tag and license for $190.00. Otter Creek Park and Yellowbank WMAs are just two that are in the northern part of central KY and are good bets. Fort Knox is very well known for nice bucks but is somewhat of a hassle to hunt because it's a military base. Otter Creek butts up next to it and is not a hassle to get in and out of.

[Bud B.]

Maybe you could try the Croatan Nat'l Forest on coastal NC or Uwharrie in central NC which is semi-mountainous.

I live less than a mile from the trail head of the Birkhead Wilderness in Uwharrie and primitive camping is free. Motels and campgrounds with showers are nearby.  I live close enough to scout it ahead of time for you. I didn't hunt it this past archery season but now wished I had. I found a good spot but during gun season doe are off limits most of the season.

I also have access to 21 acres of private land I have permission to hunt but I have to be with you.

[Jim Wright]

Glen, consider contacting D.N.R. or the equivalent agency at the state/states you are considering and ask to be put in touch with the proper wildlife biologist. Let them know what you are interested in, trophies, lots of deer etc.. You will not find more or better information and it's free.