ORIGINAL: Vabowman
Is it really that much better hunting in Iowa, ILL, and KS than the rest of the country..?? You read about it, you watch it, and you see the pics of guys on here...is it just that easy to go out there, given it's private land, all things being equal..is it just a better place to hunt??? I mean every state has some big bucks, the numbers might not be there, but the bucks are there...or is it that those states have more big deer, but as equally hard to kill as anywhere esle?? do those big bucks move more during day light?? do they move all day?? Im not trying to start a location thread....Im trying figure out if I can actually take something from a guy who hunts these states vs here in Va...is what he does going to be helpfu to me?? We have so many variables here in Va...deer hounds a year long in the woods, popuation of peope is crazy, land is soooo hard to come by, and it it's warmer longer....anyone ever hunted the midwest and the east that can tell me??
It's not.
But here's why.. before you jump on my case.
Location is about the land YOU have access too. Nothing more.
I've hunted all over the state of Illinois and southern Wisconsin.. and there is plenty of land thats not good for hunting deer.
I've hunted 20 minutes from one piece to the next where it was like hunting night and day.
Location is ABOUT THE LAND YOU HAVE ACCESS TOO.. not the state.
Now.. the out of staters think Illinois is amazing.. because they come out and hunt privately owned and managed acres on the Mississippi river. Well DUH you are gonna see LOTS of big deer there. That's a no brainer.
And although I've never hunted Iowa.. I am sure its pretty accurate to that state too. And the other "big buck states" as well.
Location is not about state.. it's about what YOU have to hunt.
Ask the Georgia natives. In most of that state the deer are pretty small (body and rack size).. but towards the northern half (i think it was) the deer hunting is much better and the bucks are pushing 200 on the hoof!
Maryland is another perfect example. Mostly a smaller buck state.. except some REAL great counties that produce GIANTS every year.
Location is not about state.. it's about what YOU have to hunt.