what state would you pick
#13
ORIGINAL: Rick James
Montana, without a doubt. Good whitetails, and an abundance of other big game as well.
Montana, without a doubt. Good whitetails, and an abundance of other big game as well.
#14
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 661
Likes: 0
From: Antioch, IL
depends, am I going to live on that land or just use it for hunting/fishing/etc.???
if its not where i'd live, out west somewhere, MT, WY, ID, dakota's... but most likely it would end up being in west central IL some where in the Peoria/Quincy/RockIsland triangle cuz it is close enough to home so I can hunt frequently and still be able to manage the land myself...
if its not where i'd live, out west somewhere, MT, WY, ID, dakota's... but most likely it would end up being in west central IL some where in the Peoria/Quincy/RockIsland triangle cuz it is close enough to home so I can hunt frequently and still be able to manage the land myself...
#15
For hunting AND fishing...Minnesota is a great choice.
MN hasover 3 million acres of public hunting land and over 10,000 lakes.
Although rarely mentioned as one of the big buck states for whitetails...there are only2 or 3that have entered more P&Y and B&C animals all time.
We also have bears, turkeys, grouse, geese, ducks, pheasant, etc.
MN hasover 3 million acres of public hunting land and over 10,000 lakes.
Although rarely mentioned as one of the big buck states for whitetails...there are only2 or 3that have entered more P&Y and B&C animals all time.
We also have bears, turkeys, grouse, geese, ducks, pheasant, etc.
#16
I think I have it all......right here in the state I'm in. Ignorance is bliss, they say
I can be in the mountains in less than an hour. I can be at the coast in less than 4. I can hunt whitetails and turkeys out my back door......but the deer here won't get many people's hearts racing. The world record black bear was taken in this state....if one were so inclined.
I love the state I'm in. I'm fine, right here.

I can be in the mountains in less than an hour. I can be at the coast in less than 4. I can hunt whitetails and turkeys out my back door......but the deer here won't get many people's hearts racing. The world record black bear was taken in this state....if one were so inclined.
I love the state I'm in. I'm fine, right here.
#18
ORIGINAL: rybohunter
Well since you included fishing…..That makes it a bit more difficult.
The main things I would look at are:
species diversity
quality of their wildlife management system (which includes seasons & bag limits)
Quality of the trout & smallmouth bass fishing
Some states in the running would be
Idaho-incredible species diversity & absolutely beautiful
Montana-self explanatory
Ohio-great deer and close to home but not sure about the fishing
Missouri- good deer/turkeys & smallmouth
PA- lacking in deer quality, but if I had enough land to manage I could deal with it. Excellent trout & smallmouth fishing
Well since you included fishing…..That makes it a bit more difficult.
The main things I would look at are:
species diversity
quality of their wildlife management system (which includes seasons & bag limits)
Quality of the trout & smallmouth bass fishing
Some states in the running would be
Idaho-incredible species diversity & absolutely beautiful
Montana-self explanatory
Ohio-great deer and close to home but not sure about the fishing
Missouri- good deer/turkeys & smallmouth
PA- lacking in deer quality, but if I had enough land to manage I could deal with it. Excellent trout & smallmouth fishing
Wow Rybo I cant believe you said that, I honestly do not have an idea because i do not hunt in PA... but im looking for PA to be the new Illinois, Ohio, etc.... in about 4-6 years IMO!
I am just saying this based on all the good I have heard from numerous people from the state!!
As far as where I would move to, I have not a clue??? It would take some research, all I know is I need big trout!! Oh and big bucks would be nice as well!!
#19
SASK or MANITOBA!!!!!!! IfI were to look at both hunting and fishing.
SASK Fishing...
i) walleye 18lb (x2) caught ice fishing and great no.s
ii) rainbow trout (48 lbs)
iii) huge pike and great no.s
MAN Fishing...
i) walleye huge with great no.s
ii) huge pike and great no.s
iii) large catfish and lots of them
iv) large sm. mouth bass
vi) close to LOTW for musky
SASK/MAN Hunting...
i) awesome blackbear hunting, size and no.s(little pressure)
ii) massive whitetail with great no.s (world record)
iii) good elk no.s and getting better
iv) mule deer massive with great no.s (not as many though in Manitoba)
v)prairie goat (Sask)
SASK Fishing...
i) walleye 18lb (x2) caught ice fishing and great no.s
ii) rainbow trout (48 lbs)
iii) huge pike and great no.s
MAN Fishing...
i) walleye huge with great no.s
ii) huge pike and great no.s
iii) large catfish and lots of them
iv) large sm. mouth bass
vi) close to LOTW for musky
SASK/MAN Hunting...
i) awesome blackbear hunting, size and no.s(little pressure)
ii) massive whitetail with great no.s (world record)
iii) good elk no.s and getting better
iv) mule deer massive with great no.s (not as many though in Manitoba)
v)prairie goat (Sask)
#20
Montana with out a doubt.
Trophy whitetails, Mule deer, elk, moose, sheep, mountain goats, pronghorn, bears, all kinds of small game, predators, upland birds, ducks and geese, trout fishing.
Trophy whitetails, Mule deer, elk, moose, sheep, mountain goats, pronghorn, bears, all kinds of small game, predators, upland birds, ducks and geese, trout fishing.


