State for State which is the best ?

[lpcjon2]

Which state in your opinion has the most all around different game species to which you can hunt (exotics that cost an arm and a leg do not count)with trad gear on your own without paying a guide service.          

[swp]

Colorado (?)

[vtmtnman]

In VT as a non res you can get a bear,three turkeys,three deer,and numerous small game all over the counter.Moose is a lottery.All DIY.

I'm not saying we're the best,but I'm thankful we can hunt all of those over the counter(Obviously except moose,but if I get the area I want we're talking a 15-20 minute drive).

Some states have lottery for turkey.Turkey!...    We're to the point here they should make it three birds in the spring instead of two as it is.

[BrianH]

I am going to throw ND in the ring.  Whitetail, mule deer, eastern gobblers and meriams, elk, big horn sheep, moose, mountain lion and I am sure I am missing a few.  Plus tons of small game, fox, coyote, racoons.  Great place to hunt.

[John3]

I would guess Idaho...

[Steve H.]

Alaska but...

[lpcjon2]

I thought Texas would have been the first.Colorado is where my dad and his buddies  went every year for a DIYS 30 day hunt on the mountain for elk and sheep.

[Spectre]

I think Idaho. Muleys, Whitetails, Elk, Bear, Lion, and now Wolf. Pretty tough country, though.

[trashwood]

I don't know that Texas is the best.  Texas is a lot of fun year round to hunt.  The biggest problem Texas has is a lack of public lands.  if you have the $$$ ya can hunt sumpin in Texas 7x24x365.  Well you would need $$$$$$.  $$$ would get you one hunt.  

rusty

[Prairie Drifter]

Montana,
WT deer,Mule deer,antelope,elk,sheep,mountain goat,bear,moose,cougar.Id.,wyo.,co.,and a few others would match it

[Prairie Drifter]

Oh, and this year we had wolf hunting too.

[agross1]

i haven't hunted it yet, but hope to one day , but i would say idaho

[Longbow Jake]

My dream hunt is in montana I wish to live there someday.

[lpcjon2]

I second that and if you can find a way for me to convince my wife to move their I will owe you one...LOL

[Two Arrows]

I'll 3rd Montana. Great opportunities and beautiful country.

[lpcjon2]

Steve H, you didnt give us the but.

[George D. Stout]

Pennsylvania has nearly three million acres of public land, and lots of private land that folks can hunt.  I'm happy right here in Penn's Woods.

[slivrslingr]

Oregon or Washington.

Roosevelt elk, rocky mountain elk, mule deer, blacktail deer, whitetail deer, Rocky mountain bighorn, California bighorn, mountain goat, black bear, cougar, Rio Grand and Merriam's turkey's, coyote, small game and antelope (Oregon).

Antelope, sheep and goat are a tough draw, but the rest can be bought over the counter for archery and none require a guide.

[myshootinstinks]

Any Rocky Mountain state will have a better variety of game. Problem is,the seasons all occur at about the same time and the seasons tend to be much shorter than deer seasons in the east/ midwest.  It's all a trade off.  The greatest benefit to hunting in the west is the abundance of public land.

[legends1]

California! Ok,that was a joke.I have hunted alot of states.I think Kansas would rank high in my book.