Best Hunting in the Lower 48

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

Nevada is a very cool state outside of Reno and Las Vegas that is. I hate Vegas with a passion and I rank the city of Reno just below the 7th ring of hell.

H&H you rank it with much more compassion than I. I can't stand either city. And you have about the same chance of drawing an Elk tag, even as a resident, in Nevada as you would in hitting the 7 million dollar slot!

 

[d2wing]

Not Minnesota either, same as Idaho, we have no Bear, Moose, Deer, Pheasants, Grouse, Prairie Chickens, Partridge, Coyotes, Rabbits, squirrels, Turkeys or Sharptail. Fish aren't biting It's cold and no jobs. No ducks or Geese either.
Outdoor life had an article a few months ago about just that topic. The spot near where I live was an error.

 

[IdahoHombre]

I agree with the other posts about Idaho. It stinks here. If you get bored hunting wolves here in the winter, the only other thing to do is to continually get skunked ice fishing for huge trout.

 

[Davek1977]

Having grown up in South Dakota, I can't imagine anywhere else being much better. I wish we had more big game opportunities, but our deer and upland game hunting borders on unreal at times, the Missouri offers much in the way of fishing for nearly species, and the population is low enough that its easy top spend a day afield without ever seeing another hunter. That being said, I hope everyone ignores me and continues to overlook SD for at least another 30-40 years....I'd hate to have happen to SD what has happened to Colorado and other western states in regards to the mass migrations from California and the politics that seem to migrate with the people. I'll hopefully be dead and gone before that happens....

 

[BikerRN]

Colorado, for a central location, and Montana would be my choices.

I'd probably opt for Colorado and look to hunt as a Non-Resident in the surrounding western states.

Biker

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

I think you need to consider a location that is centrally located so you can hunt in more than one state without travelling long distances. For example, if you lived in Montrose, Colorado you wouldn't be more than a days drive from anywhere in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. You could apply for tags in multiple states and find the best hunting in each. Makes good sense to me. BW

shooter, somehow I missed that most EXCELLENT suggestion. I probably got the email notice late at night and my brain just went by it. From what all he is saying, he really wants to buy a few hundred acres in an area where he could build a decent house, still be close enough to "civilization" to make the wife happy, yet still be able to hop on his horse and go hunting. But your suggestion does have some serious validity to it. Thank you all for the responses so far.

 

[clattin]

I'm surprised I haven't seen anyone really talk about Wyoming....that would be a dream place for me to live someday! Whitetail, mule deer, antelope, elk, moose, bear, upland, coyotes, fishing, turkeys.....seems like a paradise to me.

Chris

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

Clatten, from what I have heard, lately getting drawn for a resident for a decent area for Elk has been difficult the past few years in Wyoming. My information could be faulty and it's been a few years since I even applied the for a non-resident hunt there. Elk, Moose and White-tail would be his main objective hunting animals. To use his words about turkey hunting wouldn't be high road but I'll paraphrase, "Them stupid *** birds are too ******* easy to hunt even for a rookie like me". I sorta kinda haveta agree with him. They are pretty simple minded though when they get "call shy" they can be a little tricky but, for the most part, I don't think I ever had much problem taking the bird.

 

[H&Hhunter]

I'm surprised I haven't seen anyone really talk about Wyoming.

I love the wide open spaces and the hunting available in Wyoming. But you can have the friggin wind up there in the winter time. Frigid winter winds drives me nuts and that is what a huge chunk of Wyoming is all about.

That's why it didn't make my list and living where I do I can be anywhere in the state of Wyoming in under 8 hours drive time.

 

[wyohome]

The wind in Deaver, WY averages under 4 MPH, there are a lot of animals to hunt and good trapping as well.

 

[H&Hhunter]

The wind in Deaver, WY averages under 4 MPH, there are a lot of animals to hunt and good trapping as well.

Clear out your basement. I'm moving in!