Hunting: Most BANG for your BUCK

[TraditionalGuy]

Since Tradgang members span the entire country, I was wondering if the community could assist me with some hunting advice for next year. I want to take a trip to hunt deer outside of California and was wondering which state has the best price for nonresidents as well as good access to public land deer population. Anyone out there have any suggestions? Thanks for the help

[VictoryHunter]

Tennessee! There are deer everywhere and lots of places to hunt them.

[TxAg]

All I know is the answer is not Texas.  Not much public land here.

[pamike]

I would highly recommend Ohio.  Lots of public land and good deer numbers + they have some big ones too.

[TraditionalGuy]

I have hunted Tennessee when I was in the army, but mostly military land. There is a lot of the state that I have not hunted so that could be a candidate. $175.50 for a seven day hunt or $251 all season. I spend more than that on resident licenses and tags here in Cali.

I have never hunted Ohio, but have heard great things. $125 for annual license and $24 for deer tag is a pretty good deal.

[VictoryHunter]

Yeah it's about $175 still for a week. Were you at Ft. Campbell? There are some big bucks there. Within an hour of Nashville there are several WMA's totaling in over 12,000 acres. A lot of which is accessible only by boat or the areas are just to far for the average hunter to walk. Lots of good bow only areas as well.

[awbowman]

Nebraska or Western Kentucky.

Statewide non-resident archery tag is $209, $20 for a habitat stamp, $55 for a doe tag

[old_goat2]

Nebraska is a pretty popular destination for Colorado hunters, you can get two doe tags for fifty five dollars in Western Nebraska.

[DarkTimber]

MO would be another good option

[dcphotog]

Maryland. Under $200 for license. Multiple deer tags. Lots of quality public land, good bucks. Plus they have wild free roaming sika deer in Dorchester Cty and on Assateague Island which is an incredible hunt, a great eating animal, and something everyone should try. Plan it right and hunt both same day.

[TraditionalGuy]

Originally posted by VictoryHunter:
Yeah it's about $175 still for a week. Were you at Ft. Campbell? There are some big bucks there. Within an hour of Nashville there are several WMA's totaling in over 12,000 acres. A lot of which is accessible only by boat or the areas are just to far for the average hunter to walk. Lots of good bow only areas as well.

I spent some time at Campbell helping out their LRS unit. Back then I was hunting with a Martin recurve. Now I have a custom long bow from Raptor Archery. It shoots just as well, but I have no sights. I remember having a lot of fun hunting out there and quite a bit of success. I am more of a meat first and big buck second guy, so I like being able to bag up to 9 deer

[JEFF B]

well if ya hop on a plane and fly down to New Zealand there is heaps of hunting free all ya got to do is look and ask and hey ya have a nice holiday at the same time  

[VictoryHunter]

If you decide to go that route shoot me a message on here and I will get you set up with some friends of mine who hunt trad. Heck if I'm in town I will show you around myself. I have access to a boat so we can go places where no one else bothers hunting.

[Nala]

I too would suggest Ohio.  I lived my whole life in the Southernmost tip of the state and there is some awesome deer hunting land available to the public.

Heck, darn near the entire southern part of the state is public.  Look up Wayne National Forest and you'll see.  Miles upon miles of deer hunting land and it gets added to each year.

There are some whoppers out in them there woods too.  Many near World Record size deer have came out of Ohio in the years.

Long drive for ya though.

Nalajr

[cahaba]

Kentucky has 1.5 million acres of public land and non resident license are very reasonable. Kentucky has been producing some huge deer too if you are wanting to hunt for horns.

[JLeMieux]

Oklahoma is also an option.

[TooManyHobbies]

Non-res in CT is $135 (small game and four deer tags, 2 buck, 2 either sex) In zones 11-12, replacement tags are free, just kill a doe and get another tag, over and over again if you wish. Kill 3 does, earn a buck.
You need proof of taking a certified bowhunting course, old license won't do.

[Panzer]

Southeastern Ohio

[BAPilot2]

Hunting in Texas is way too expensive for us locals!!!

I may take the advice posted herein and head up north and east.

[Slickhead]

Ohio is a good value
Tags are cheap and lots of spots to hunt.
But keep in mind that it takes a while to find the big fellows.
I talk to out of staters every year that come to Ohio expecting to shoot a 200 inch deer
Most leave with a 4 pointer if they shoot one at all.
TV has promoted Ohio as the be all state. Truth is most big deer are on private land or you have to scout a while to find them.
But if Ohio is your choice PM me and I'll help u as much as I can.