Author Topic: Best huntin state (Read 4292 times)

freddogs · « **on:** March 18, 2003, 04:24:20 PM »

:grin: What's the best state to live in for big game hunting. I'm sure everyone's got an opinion and reasons on this topic. I might move soon so I'd like to know. :grin:

Robert · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2003, 09:51:47 PM »

I like Oregon, but I dont know that I could say it is the BEST. I havent hunted anyplace else, but I have heard some pretty amazing stuff about hunts in Colorodo and Nevada. Very beautiful country too.
Alasks also, I've never been, but some day maybe.....I'm sure many people are going to say Alaska...
And then there's Jurassic Park....Africa, ...and once again...I have never been, that really sounds like the dream hunt of all.
It will be interesting to read the repies on here, so I know the best place to go from here.

Selmer · « **Reply #2 on:** March 19, 2003, 03:50:21 AM »

I lived in SD and loved it, but for variety I'd probably say Montana or Idaho or Wyoming, all have a wide variety of game, I'd love living in any of these states! I envy all of you that do, especially now that I live in Iowa we just have whitetails and turkeys for big game, and we can't use rifles, it sucks!
Selmer

Lawdog · « **Reply #3 on:** March 19, 2003, 10:49:43 AM »

Easy choice really. A L A S K A!! Wife was born there and her two brothers still live there. We go visit every year and get in some hunting and fishing while there. I made a promise to the wife that when we retire we are moving to Alaska to the land she inherited. Lawdog

Rick Teal · « **Reply #4 on:** March 19, 2003, 11:41:10 AM »

In my opinion the best jurisdictions to live in for big game hunting are either provinces or territories, so I guess the best state for hunting is sobriety! :twisted:

bigbore442001 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 19, 2003, 01:38:28 PM »

This post is very subjective.

If you like to hunt wild hogs, one of the southeastern states or Texas would be the best.

If you like black bear, Maine is one of the best states to live in for that. For deerhunting, the further north you go the chances lessen due to the winters. If you are lucky to get a permit, moose in Maine, New Hampshire or Vermont cannot be beat. But my friends wife finally got one after applying for fifteen years. So, don't hold your breath waiting for a permit.

Deer hunting. Again. That may include the midwestern states like Ohio, Indiana as well as Illinois. The prairie provinces of Canada have produced some real monsters. The South has the greatest densities so your chances may be much greater.

Elk. I'm kind of clueless here. I've never hunted elk but I remember seeing a TV show on elk hunting in Kentucky. If you're lucky to get a permit, your chances are nearly 100%.

Another thing. If you're a handgun hunter. The US is it. Mexico and Canada are off limits to sixgunners and TC addicts.

Again, this post is very subjective.

John Y Cannuck · « **Reply #6 on:** March 19, 2003, 01:41:23 PM »

State?? :-D

:-D

freddogs · « **Reply #7 on:** March 20, 2003, 04:04:38 PM »

You guys have got me thinking. I would like to hunt hogs. Deer hunting is good all over. I llike hunting moose ,elk ,and bear. Maybe I should look at Alaska? Those western states are sure pretty.
Canada is out. We have enough laws here. I don't need to go anywhere more restictive. I'm not about to give up my handguns either. Anybody live in Nevada or Arizona? How's the hunting there? :?

Moose-Hunter · « **Reply #8 on:** March 20, 2003, 07:44:15 PM »

Alaska. I like the idea that I can go hunting for moose, caribou, black bear and brown bear at the same time. Heck, if you're in the right area, you could add sheep to that menu. :-)

new snake owner · « **Reply #9 on:** April 12, 2003, 04:00:15 AM »

I'd tell ya, but then I'd have to kill ya

cause I live there. Lets see start small antelop, turkey, mt lion, pheasent, sheep, coyote, white tail. Bigger? Ok black bear, elk, moose. BTW fishing, more trout than you can count, steelhead, salmon, bass, pike, etc.. Cost CHEAP. Combo Elk-white tail-black bear and hunting license under $125.00.
DONT YOU WISH YOU LIVED HERE

taxmiser · « **Reply #10 on:** April 12, 2003, 11:31:15 AM »

Surely not Montana, nothing here to hunt. All the stories you hear are just hot air..............don't believe a word of it. Trout fishing is really bad too. Anywhere but this game barren state!

tax :roll:

HogFan · « **Reply #11 on:** April 16, 2003, 10:35:52 PM »

I have to agree, stay away from MT, no animals there

. I always wanted to live in MT, and now that I do it looks like Uncle Sam will be making me move again soon. :cry: . Oh well, that's life in the military. Maybe I'll get to Alaska.

HogFan

Rusty · « **Reply #12 on:** July 01, 2003, 11:21:17 AM »

I have hunted northern AZ a few years ago (1999, outside of Flagstaff, in the Coconino National Forest), and it was great. After coming from CA, I have never seen so much game (scouting, I saw about 100 elk), and five doe walked by or through my hunting camp daily.

I would prefer AK or Montana, but Aridzona was fine with me. I will go back soon.

Cabin4 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 03, 2003, 02:50:31 PM »

I guess the obvious answer is Alaska or Montana. But since this post is under the Eastern Big Game section, I will say Pennsylvania.

I has a huge deer population with good size animals. Normal annual deer harvest is about 500,000 deer. Excellant black bear population and all you need to do is buy a bear stamp for the short 3 day season. Last season a new state record was set with a 735lb blackie !!!!

Good duck and goose hunting. Excellant grouse hunting in the mountains. Outstanding turky hunting galore!! Very good small game and now we even have Elk, yes Elk hunting with a real wild heard. Hunting for Elk is limited by a lottery system though.

Brushhunter · « **Reply #14 on:** August 04, 2003, 09:58:24 PM »

Ya I've always thought Pennsylvania is the most under-rated hunting state. It's not as glamorous or remote as Montana or Alaska, but there's some great stuff there!

pa ridge-runner · « **Reply #15 on:** August 22, 2003, 03:08:00 PM »

Since I'm also from Pennsylvania I would of course agree with my fellow neighbors,but I'd also like to add that Pa has enacted(since the 2002-2003 season) an antler restriction statewide.For years any buck with an antler more than 3 inches long was legal.Thus most bucks taken were spikes or Y bucks.90% of all antlered deer taken were 1 and 1/2 years old.
With this new antler restriction we expect to trim the does , and even the buck-doe ratio.The experts claim that we will be seeing many MORE and BIGGER bucks within the next few seasons.I can say that I have already see a huge increase in much larger bucks this year,and I'm very excited about how it looks.Add to that Pa has over 1 million acres of public land open to the public.It makes me feel lucky to live here when I try to go hunt in another state, and find somewhere to hunt.Its not like Alaska or Montana but I believe it ranks as the best in the East! :grin:

Brushhunter · « **Reply #16 on:** August 22, 2003, 05:19:27 PM »

I also have to say I like Maine alot, not because of the success rate (mine is only so-so) but because of the traditions associated with the North Woods. Something about timber cruising, old-style tent camps with sheepherder's stoves in the tents, grouse hunting, deer, bear, and moose--just Maine-ness. Dunno.

Brushhunter

Dave in WV · « **Reply #17 on:** August 24, 2003, 03:16:11 PM »

In West Virginia we have hogs, black bear,deer, and turkey. The only problem with the hogs is since the coyotes moved in the hog population has gone down. It's a great place to hunt as long as you don't need flat ground to do it. :-D Dave

jagster · « **Reply #18 on:** October 17, 2003, 09:32:31 AM »

WOOOHOOO VIRGNIA BABY...YEEEEAAAAHH !!!!!!
Because I'm a nice guy I will consider trading a hunt with those unfortunate Alaskan hunters

Maine_Hound_Hunter · « **Reply #19 on:** November 26, 2003, 02:52:24 AM »

Definetly Maine, and not because I live here but it's true....It's almost impossible for me to go hunting and not see at least 1 moose or deer while I'm out with the hounds, and I see a lot of bunnies (and have shot a lot of bunnies) too while I was at it....The wildlife and traditions are great here, (Ask Kathy---Any Maine hunter would tell you the same)

Plus, if you want to try something fun, try SEADUCK HUNTING! I've hunted Seaduck before and it's really fun, and something different other then the usual bear deer and moose (though I did see a lot going downstate)

RollTide · « **Reply #20 on:** February 21, 2004, 04:16:22 PM »

Well,
I have lived and hunted in western states. I presently live in Alabama. I like Alabama because we have a LONG seasons and liberal limits. We can rifle hunt deer for nearly 2.5 MONTHS and can take one buck per day. In the southern half of the state, you can usually take one buck and one doe per day FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON. Doe season is one week to one month in other places depending on deer census in those areas. You can hunt hogs on public land year round with no limit. I would not say it is better than states with other species like elk, moose, and bear, but Alabama does offer liberal seasons and game limits for lots of hunting time every year. There is also a lot of turkey, upland bird hunting and waterfowl shooting. I can always travel to another state for a short one or two week season for other species, but I like living in a state where I can hunt big game year round if I want to.

Roll Tide

bigbore442001 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 22, 2004, 04:09:01 AM »

RollTide:

I am somewhat curious. You can hunt feral hogs year round on public land in the Heart of Dixie? That would be a great benefit to the sportsman. It seems that a lot of land in the South is leased to individuals or hunting clubs, thus locking out someone who is looking for a place to hunt without having to spend a lot of $$$$.

Any special regulations on feral hogs in Alabama? How difficult is it to hunt these public land dwelling hogs?

RollTide · « **Reply #22 on:** February 23, 2004, 09:01:09 AM »

Quote

How difficult is it to hunt these public land dwelling hogs?

VERY DIFFICULT

There is abundant habitat and forage so they may be here today and gone tomorrow and never come back to that same place with any frequency. In warm weather the underbrush is all but impenetrable in many places on public hunitng land. There are only a few months out of the year when it is cold enough to drive the REALLY LARGE venomous snakes into hybernation. Big Eastern Diamondbacks (some over 10 feet, head as big as a grown man's fist, and which can hit a 6 foot tall man at mid thigh and possibly higher) have been seen in mild stretches even in December. Of course hogs like swampy areas, so you also have to contend with smaller (3 or 4 feet) but more fierce Water Moccasins and the somewhat larger (5 feet +) Copperheads. Hog hunting in warm weather around here can get hazardous to your health in more ways than one. A hunting buddy of mine killed 4 hogs one evening while deer hunting on a Wildlife Management Area. We have shot several others while deer hunitng on public land. I mostly deer hunt, but I do hunt hog occasionally in cold weather. Many enjoy hog hunting year round though. You usually have to run dogs or really know the area and the hogs in that area from what I have been told by people who do it a lot. Some hunt hogs without a firearm. From what I am told, they either take them alive and pen them at home for feeding/fattening, or they kill the hogs with a knife while the dogs hold them down. I think I prefer a firearm. It takes a lot of time and effort, but fortunately not a lot of $$$$$$.

Of course on private land it is much easier because you can bait them part of the year to get then to frequent certain areas and cut shooting lanes in the dense underbrush where needed.

Roll Tide

New Hampshire · « **Reply #23 on:** February 23, 2004, 12:15:20 PM »

For those interested New Hampshire just instituted a new points system for the Moose Lottery. Every year you are not picked you are given another point to help increase your odds in following years. BUT to keep points accrued you must enter in consecutive years, no carry overs if you skip applying one year.
Brian M

Dezertyote · « **Reply #24 on:** February 23, 2004, 12:33:05 PM »

I've seen some mighty big buzz tails, but I'd like to see one that was approching even 8 feet long :eek:
RollTide throw up some pictures I'd love to see them.
I used to live catch them and at one time I had 7 different speices of rattlers in a large cage made out of hardware cloth.

RollTide · « **Reply #25 on:** February 23, 2004, 03:47:25 PM »

Dezertyote,
Come to think of it, 8 feet may be closer. I just know I have seen pictures on local bulletin boards where guys over six feet tall were holding snake's heads at arms length over their own head and the tails were still on the ground. The really big ones usually rate a local newspaper story when someone kills one. I will see if I can round up an old clipping. The Crocodile Hunter did a special on rattlers and found some BIG Eastern Diamoindbacks down in FL. Pretty cool show. You might be able to catch it on reruns sometimes. That is when I learned that the Eastern Diamondbacks are the largest of the species. We have a lot of the "regular" variety as well like Timber rattlers, etc., but it is those really big boys that give me the willies.

Roll Tide

Lawdog · « **Reply #26 on:** February 24, 2004, 09:58:06 AM »

Roll Tide,

Dodging "buzz tails" are a lot of "fun" when hunting. :roll: They are the reason I carry a .357 or .44 handgun loaded with CCI shot loads while hunting. I know the Eastern Diamondback is the largest of the "buzz tails" but in checking the records the longest recorded is 2.44 meters(96 inches) long. It was taken in the very area where you talk about hunting hogs. I bet they keep you guys on your toes don't they? Lawdog

bigbore442001 · « **Reply #27 on:** February 24, 2004, 11:24:32 AM »

RollTide:

Thank you for the information. It sounded pretty intriguing for someone to try. It still sounds pretty interesting nonethe less. Guess I am a sucker for punishment.

RollTide · « **Reply #28 on:** February 24, 2004, 01:35:14 PM »

bigbore442001,
No problem. If you decide to try it, give me a holler and I will put you on some places in the national forest.

Lawdog,
You are right about the "fun". It is more fun than it ought to be legal to have sometime. I have never come on one of the really BIG Diamondbacks in the woods, but I think if I saw one 96" it would probably look 12 feet long to me. A friend crawled over a downed tree to get to his hunting spot. Once he was up in his stand, he saw one of those really BIG boys crawl out of the same downed tree. Needless to say he made a big circle around that whole area on his way out that evening. I have seen actual photos pinned to the bulletin boards in some of the country stores where we hunt. They had to be very close to that record, if not a little longer.

Roll Tide

Dezertyote · « **Reply #29 on:** February 24, 2004, 03:12:25 PM »

Hey RollTide,
I just caught this one slithering around heading for your sleeping bag. :-D :eek:

I got this one off web. They say it came from texas, but who knows

My buddy caught one that was 6' 3" and that was a monster!

This one in the picture looks to be around a 6 footer [/img]