Whitetail hunting ranches can be found all over the US. Unlike the past times, the whole field is well regulated with lots of experienced outfitters to choose from. As a result, the hunters are more likely to have a good experience compared to that of 30, 40 years ago.
Still, in order to find the best whitetail hunting ranches, you will need some preparation and information gathering. The good thing is that there is a wide selection to choose from, and you can find good data in just a few hours of web browsing.
So, let’s reviews some of the best states for whitetail hunting, as well as the best whitetail hunting ranches in the US. Check it out!
The best states for hunting whitetails
Avid hunters are prepared to go to extreme lengths just so they can find that amazing trophy deer. So much so that certain hunting story might sound incredibly to non-hunters. However, if you have some experience, you probably know that most of these stories turn out to be true. If you want to learn more about trophy hunting, you should read Trophy Whitetail Hunts: The Definitive Guide where you’ll find all the information you need.
Although we are often influenced by the hunting desire, that doesn’t mean that having such a desire is necessarily bad. In fact, it is a necessity for true hunters. Still, in order to streamline our need for the hunt, the various state governments have enacted laws that would protect whitetails.
Today, most of these laws revolve around having solid population numbers and diversity. It also protects adult deer, the common hunting target. These policies are extremely important, not only for the future hunters but for the protection of the ecosystem.
The best whitetail hunting states have a lot of enormous bucks. This is a result of healthy policies as well as all the hunters who were prepared to play by the rules. According to the official data, there has been more Boone and Crockett Club’s Records of North American Big Game since 2000 than in the whole 20th century combined.
Here are the best states for hunting whitetails based on B&C entries (for typical whitetails):
- Wisconsin (426 B&C entries)
- Kentucky (234)
- Ohio (215)
- Indiana (185)
- Minnesota (151)
- Iowa (142)
- Texas (129)
- Illinois (120)
- Kansas (114)
- Missouri (107)
Here are the best states for hunting whitetails based on B&C entries (for non-typical whitetails):
- Illinois (397)
- Iowa (304)
- Wisconsin (304)
- Ohio (295)
- Kansas (263)
- Missouri (252)
- Indiana (218)
- Kentucky (217)
- Minnesota (159)
- Texas (131)
Top whitetail ranches
If you’ve been keeping track of the states, you probably have noticed that they haven’t changed much over time. These states have always been popular for their whitetail population and amazing outfitters. However, one thing that has changed is the number of amazing B&C deer.
For example, Michigan and Nebraska shared 13th place with 49 whitetail deer since 2000. After them, you had Arkansas as 14th. Mississippi and Pennsylvania were ranked 15ht and 16th, respectively.
Anyway, all of these numbers have exploded in states that have proper herd population policies. Besides that, we now also have some amazing antler point policies that are meant to protect the younger whitetails. You can no longer shoot everything that moves. Instead, hunters have to be very selective when choosing their prey.
Here are some of the best ranches for hunting typical whitetails:
- Pendleton Co., Ky.
- Sturgeon River, Sask.
- Warren Co., Ohio
- N. Saskatchewan River, Sask.
- Macon Co., Mo.
- White Co., Ill.
- Lewis Co., Mo.
- Lake Manitoba, Man.
- N. Saskatchewan River, Sask.
- Muskingum Co., Ohio
Keep in mind that these numbers are constantly fluctuating. For example, these are the numbers from a few years back (we still need more relevant data for the last 2 years). However, you can’t go wrong if you pick any of these ranches on the list.
Hunting a whitetail deer is a unique experience, and you wouldn’t like to ruin it by choosing the wrong ranch or outfitter. Luckily, this article should provide a good starting point. Based on the data, you can find the right state, and perhaps the right outfitter, which will give you a memorable experience.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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