|
Post by greghopper on Jun 5, 2017 6:40:35 GMT -5
Deer hunting is an ever-changing world. It might not seem that way on the surface, but it is. Deer populations rise, fall and run stagnant. Sometimes big bucks are killed. Other years they aren’t. Some seasons produce big deer in areas Booners haven’t been seen for years. Just take the recent Tucker buck from Tennessee as an example. The beauty in Boone & Crockett’s Trophy Records search function? We can see where the big bucks are coming from right now, not just the deer that were killed a half-century ago.
We’ve compiled the data from the last five years based on number of entries per square mile to eliminate the advantage of being a larger state. We’ve done this to show where the biggest bucks are coming from right now and to shed a little light on what the future of Boone & Crockett bucks looks like in America.
Whether you’re looking to buy land, lease ground, or just trying to determine where the best place is for a Booner this fall, we’ve got the information you need right here. No bull. Just the facts.www.realtree.com/deer-hunting/articles/where-the-biggest-booner-bucks-are-coming-from-now
|
|
|
Post by tynimiller on Jun 5, 2017 7:32:36 GMT -5
Iowa is a whole different world than most states...I've known 4 guys that have moved there (one from Indiana) and they all say the same thing.
Amount of trophies entered is awesome and indicator of it somewhat but I'd pick Iowa over anywhere.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2017 8:10:06 GMT -5
Boy, it seems I have seen this article years ago in a Deer & Deer magazine. I've been reading D&D for decades. Not as good as in the past. Too many advertisements now. I think the top five are the same. Maybe Ohio and Indiana switched.
|
|
|
Post by tynimiller on Jun 5, 2017 8:14:38 GMT -5
Illinois is the state that in my lifetime has dropped off the most. I can remember when I was real young in bowhunting only thinking Illinois for out of state dreams....now it doesn't cross my mind.
|
|
|
Post by freedomhunter on Jun 5, 2017 8:25:12 GMT -5
I would put western Kentucky first on my list good luck finding ground though
|
|
|
Post by tynimiller on Jun 5, 2017 8:43:08 GMT -5
I would put western Kentucky first on my list good luck finding ground though In July I'm heading down to scout some of the Public. I've heard amazing things about Western KY though for sure, but very tough to find spots.
|
|
|
Post by jjas on Jun 5, 2017 8:48:01 GMT -5
Illinois is the state that in my lifetime has dropped off the most. I can remember when I was real young in bowhunting only thinking Illinois for out of state dreams....now it doesn't cross my mind. For many, Illinois flat out became too expensive to hunt...
|
|
|
Post by steiny on Jun 6, 2017 7:30:39 GMT -5
Illinois is the state that in my lifetime has dropped off the most. I can remember when I was real young in bowhunting only thinking Illinois for out of state dreams....now it doesn't cross my mind. Been hunting IL every year for about 20 years. For every one mature buck I see in IN, I see five over there. The locals always gripe about "the good old days" but it's still very fine deer hunting.
|
|
|
Post by tynimiller on Jun 6, 2017 7:39:18 GMT -5
Illinois is the state that in my lifetime has dropped off the most. I can remember when I was real young in bowhunting only thinking Illinois for out of state dreams....now it doesn't cross my mind. Been hunting IL every year for about 20 years. For every one mature buck I see in IN, I see five over there. The locals always gripe about "the good old days" but it's still very fine deer hunting. Oh for sure I don't doubt there is still good hunting...but it became extremely ridiculous to find or pay to hunt places. Iowa public trumps paying for IL private anyday IMO.
|
|
|
Post by mossberg500 on Jun 6, 2017 8:12:43 GMT -5
How's pope county in Illinois ? When I started hunting in Illinois that's the county to hunt trophy Deer .
|
|
|
Post by jjas on Jun 6, 2017 8:47:24 GMT -5
Iowa is a whole different world than most states...I've known 4 guys that have moved there (one from Indiana) and they all say the same thing. Amount of trophies entered is awesome and indicator of it somewhat but I'd pick Iowa over anywhere. A buddy of mine has lived/hunted in Iowa his entire life, but over the last 10 years or he has been priced out of hunting on private ground. He told me he just couldn't compete with the leasing prices around the Des Moines area (where he lives).
|
|
|
Post by tynimiller on Jun 6, 2017 9:57:00 GMT -5
Iowa is a whole different world than most states...I've known 4 guys that have moved there (one from Indiana) and they all say the same thing. Amount of trophies entered is awesome and indicator of it somewhat but I'd pick Iowa over anywhere. A buddy of mine has lived/hunted in Iowa his entire life, but over the last 10 years or he has been priced out of hunting on private ground. He told me he just couldn't compete with the leasing prices around the Des Moines area (where he lives). Around such a place like Des Moines I can see that. Just had a bud from Indiana move out and he has had zero problem finding spots to set up on private wise. I think he's got 3 or 4 farms last I asked. But he isn't near such a large city either.
|
|
|
Post by mossberg500 on Jun 6, 2017 10:18:00 GMT -5
I ment to say Pike county Illinois not pope county
|
|
|
Post by steiny on Jun 6, 2017 10:32:44 GMT -5
I will likely hunt Iowa one of these years, but one problem for a non-resident is you have to draw for an archery tag and probably won't be able to hunt there every year. I understand the firearms tags are easier to get?
Outfitting and leasing is going strong there just like anyplace else where the hunting is good, making access to the best places tougher. Public hunting has it's own set of challenges and they are pretty much the same in whatever state you hunt.
Regarding the comment about Pope county, IL ..... That area got a whole lot of press +/- 20 years ago. Some good outfitters set up shop there and they were knocking off P&Y and B&C bucks pretty regularly. With all of that press, Pope got invaded by outfitters, leasing outfits, and rich dudes buying up the ground. Still some good hunting there, but it's kind of run it's course. I've hunted Mcdonough, Fulton, Jefferson, Effingham, Pope and Saline counties and they've all been pretty good. Best thing IL has going for it is restricting the firearms hunting to only (7) days, plus a couple days of muzzle loader. Gives the bucks a much better chance of making it to maturity.
|
|
|
Post by jjas on Jun 6, 2017 10:32:57 GMT -5
I was reading a post from another site and this was pointed out....
Indiana was ranked fourth on the list (here is the text)....
So according to the article, Indiana doesn't make the all-time top 10 list, but if you look @ the table on the page about half way down you'll see this...
And there is Indiana ranked @ number 10...all time...
|
|
|
Post by trapperdave on Jun 6, 2017 11:29:52 GMT -5
Wait until CDACS are done, we'll be number one. Lol just ask em
|
|
|
Post by tynimiller on Jun 6, 2017 11:54:18 GMT -5
I will likely hunt Iowa one of these years, but one problem for a non-resident is you have to draw for an archery tag and probably won't be able to hunt there every year. I understand the firearms tags are easier to get? Outfitting and leasing is going strong there just like anyplace else where the hunting is good, making access to the best places tougher. Public hunting has it's own set of challenges and they are pretty much the same in whatever state you hunt. Regarding the comment about Pope county, IL ..... That area got a whole lot of press +/- 20 years ago. Some good outfitters set up shop there and they were knocking off P&Y and B&C bucks pretty regularly. With all of that press, Pope got invaded by outfitters, leasing outfits, and rich dudes buying up the ground. Still some good hunting there, but it's kind of run it's course. I've hunted Mcdonough, Fulton, Jefferson, Effingham, Pope and Saline counties and they've all been pretty good. Best thing IL has going for it is restricting the firearms hunting to only (7) days, plus a couple days of muzzle loader. Gives the bucks a much better chance of making it to maturity. I bought a point this year, as you will rarely get drawn even in year two....picked up a 300 acre private spot to go to and/or will hit public hard as it is extremely better than most public due to the limited tag numbers available. I expect 2019 season to be when I really put in for an actual license and not a point. The odds depend on the area and the weapon of choice....
|
|
|
Post by Woody Williams on Jun 6, 2017 12:03:22 GMT -5
I only know of only one "Booner" taken within a mile of where I hunt.. we've killed plenty of 140s, 150s, and a couple 160s and you know what? That is PLENTY good enough for us.
In all my years of deer hunting I think I have seen three bucks on the hoof that I'm pretty sure would qualify.. two were in a refuge ..
I pay little to no attention to these Booner reports..
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2017 12:04:43 GMT -5
Live in #6, have #5 2.5 miles away and #10 8 miles away. I do need to move 8 miles or more west.
|
|
|
Post by GS1 on Jun 6, 2017 12:04:43 GMT -5
I was reading a post from another site and this was pointed out.... Indiana was ranked fourth on the list (here is the text).... So according to the article, Indiana doesn't make the all-time top 10 list, but if you look @ the table on the page about half way down you'll see this... And there is Indiana ranked @ number 10...all time... I noticed that also. I'm not sure why anyone would use an article like this to pick a place to shoot a booner. The chances in any of the states are still slim. If someone is going somewhere solely to shoot a booner they are most likely going to pay someone for it and the chances are probably about the same in any of these states.
|
|