Looking for a good whitetail area

[Huntin-In-Heels]

Hi there. I have been hunting for many years, but live in the west and have never hunted whitetail. When is the best time to hunt them, and where is a good bow area.

Thanks

[Ghost]

Copy of reply to another post you made:


Banner is the part at the bottom of each members post. Mine has the Rack Attack team banner and the Bald Eagle. It is a part of the post that never changes. 4Pointer, just find a post made by him and click on his name, this will take you to his page. From there, just click on, send personal message. Let him know who you are and what you are looking for.

As for whitetails, MT and the Milk River is a great area. I know there are a few outfitters up there and they may have options to allow you to hunt on your own. If not I am sure there are public accesses in or around that area. The Milk River would probably be closer to you. As far as public access, I can only speak for my own state. We do have a considerable amount of public area for hunters to pursue their desired game. KS does have public areas but you will have to check the state regulations concerning out of state hunters. KS used to be very strict on out of state hunters, as for now, I am not sure. Nebraska is another great state for good whitetails. I know nothing about this state. South Texas is one of the best states for trophy bucks. But, I do believe to get the good opportunities at the trophys you will have to get with an outfitter. Again, they may or may not let you hunt on your own. I will tell you this, the last time I checked on a guided hunt in Texas, it ran around 5 to 8 thousand dollars. Just try to cover all your bases when dealing with an outfitter. Make sure you are going to be able to harvest the buck you are going on the trip for. Some of the outfitters, speaking for Texas, will put you on a management hunt, which are usually a little less when money is concerned. That means you get to hunt for deer that the heard manager wants to cull. Now, these deer are still impresive by the average hunter standards, but are not the bucks that you would get if you paid for the higher end hunts. Look at the trophy fees, if there are any, and there usually are. They can be very high.

[THE GOB-FATHER]

For your money and time, I think you might want to look into Ohio. Ohio is quickly becoming more than just a sleeper state for quality big rack whitetail bucks and out of state tags are very resonable for the price (see the weekend hunt deal). That's my suggestion. Not sure what they have to offer in terms of public land for self guided hunts, but I'm sure you can find some real good quality opportunities out there!

[Huntin-In-Heels]

Thanks for the great information! I am going to check it all out. This weekend we are going to head to Sheridan WY to try it. In WY if you don't get a mule deer with your deer permit, then you can hunt whitetail later in the season. I got my mule deer, but my husband didn't. So we are heading out on Thurs. to check it out, and maybe I will get to see one. I have never even seen one. Crazy eh? My husband has gotten quite a few when he lived in Nebraska for Dental school, but this was before I knew him. I have never been there. Maybe I can't really call myself a "real hunter" since I haven't gotten a whitetail. But it is going to happen! SOON!! Its time!

[grizz1]

The state of Missouri where I live and hunt in has many great benefits to offer to the bowhunter. Our season is very long, from Sept15th to Jan15th, archery tags can not be used during the fall firearms season. First week in November is normally best time to hunt.
There are public areas all over the state, . These areas have been funded by 1/8 percent sales tax the state has, so the public areas are well scattered throughout the state and well managed.
The tags went up in price this year but allow a person to take 2 deer, 2 turkey and small game if it is in season.
The best trophy hunting is considered to be from I70 North, you might look at counties that have had the 4 point rule in affect for the last 5 years as these counties are producing the mature bucks and very nice trophies.

[Olddog]

Grizz where is that in relation to Texas county

[Huntin-In-Heels]

So can an out of state resident hunt all that on the same tag too? And for the deer....can you take 2 bucks or does one have to be a doe?
Thanks, I told my husband all about this. I am really interested in learning more!

[grizz1]

Answering the questions on Mo, first Olddog, Texas county is in South Central Mo far from where I'm located which is in Adair county in the NorthEast part of the state. As far as I know Texas county has long been passed up in whitetail harvest and trophies but I've heard of big ones taken all over the state, just not real familiar with Texas county. Macon county is the one everyone is looking hard at when trying for a brusier buck. I don't think Texas has been in the 4 point rule, would have to research that to be sure. The four point rule has been in effect the longest North of I70 and West of 63 highway, those not being exact borderlines, just aproximately.
Texas county had the largest harvest for many years back in the '60's and 70's but has fell way behind as the deer population has exploded all over the state. Texas county is also huge in size compared to most others.

To answer Rebecca's question as of 2009, an archery tag, resident or non-resident will get you 2 deer and 2 turkey and small game. You may take only one buck prior to firearms season then another buck after the Nov portion of firearms season. Any one may purchase additional doe tags at anytime and there is no limit on antlerless deer in most of the state, just a few counties in the far Southern regions which is open, flat, farm land. When you purchase an archery tag , the deer tags will say any deer on them, so they may used in several combinations, one buck/one doe and can be the same day. Two doe could be taken or 2 bucks, but only one buck prior to firearms season.
The turkey are 2 of either sex, can be taken on same day or anytime through out the season except when firearms deer season is open.