No one will ever expect this, but CA is better than most will ever know.
I grew up in SW GA and though deer and hogs aren't as plentiful, we got them. Hunting hogs in open mountains like the Tejon Ranch, less than an hour from LAX is a treat that I don't mind paying for.
The deer hunting is mediocre at best unless in the best areas, but there is public land all over and hunting + hard work and beautiful scenery makes me love it.
We got the only Tule Elk herd, sheep, pronghorn, muleys, hybrids, blacktails, hogs, all kinds of feathered rats, incredible bear hunting, and the list goes on.
Now, if I were looking to just be where I want to be for hunting sake, ie lose the wife and kids as the Mrs. wouldn't do it, it is AK. I was set to be stationed at Kodiak before I decided to ask for her hand.
Dang expensive hand if you ask me, cost me lots more than money, but worth every penny... Most of the time anyways!