Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

I'm new to the forum, and I am looking for some insight on some Midwest hunting.

I live in Texas, and I am looking for a good outfitter to take ahunt with in the Midwest. I'm not sure what state would be the best.......I'm thinking of Illinois, Ohio,Kentucky, Indiana,and Missouri. Iam preferably looking for a rifle hunt for a couple of days. I don't need outragious amenities with the lodging and stuff, just an opportunity at a huge Midwestern buck!

Any and all help will be appreciated! Please email me at [email protected]. Thank you in advance!

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

Well u'd best pratice with your shotgun with Slugs as most of the States you said allow Shotgun.

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

Bearkat,

You really do not need an outfitter to score a huge midwestern buck. There are plenty to be had on public land if you do your homework. I know the lease mentailty of Texas hunters because I lived in Austin and hunted south Texas for 4 years, but it's the first stigmaI'd suggest losing.

First of all you forgot to mention Kansas, which is closer to you than any of the states you mentioned. Drop Indiana. I lived there 40 years and although it's improved with "one buck", it will never be a Kansas or Illinois with a rut gun season. I have hunted all the states you mentioned. Missouri is improving greatly, but I'd still stick with the big three......Kansas, Iowa & Illinois. These states have limited guns during the rut for a long time and your chances are much greater there.

Kansas is close to you and even southeast Kansas is great. Lots of public land. Tags have been on draw but they are always playing with that so it might go OTC soon. In any case, Iowa & Kansas now are on a draw basis requiring 1 or 2 points to get a tag for archery, but for gun they have units you can draw the first year. You need to get preference points in both states if niothing else, just in case. Their deadline to apply in both states is about June 1st. Get your points this year regardless. Illinois is also on a draw basis but you can draw every year anyway.

You might look at special public land draws all these states have, but if I were you I'd try SE Kansas as it is closer and you can probablyget there more often to scout. Lots of big bucks there. Kansas has a walk-in hunting program that offers private land for public hunting. You can check out properties online actually. Some is pretty good stuff.

I've taken mature bucks almost every year off public land in these states, including two last year in Illinois. Both were 130" class, but there are bigger.

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

Thanks Zim for the info......yeah I did forget to put Kansas!!

I'm not against bow hunting or hunting on public land either.......I just know rifle hunting increases the odds and I'd like that!

I'm just looking for an opportunity at a solid buck in a different state!

I just need a direction to be pointed in and some insight.........thanks for the help!

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

if you want rifle look into western kentucky, northern missouri, or eastern kansas.
if you can do a muzzle loader/ shotgun id deffinitely go with illinois or iowa

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

slug guns all are you can use or muzzerrloaders

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

Bearkat,

Personally I hunt with all weapons (archery, muzzleloader, shotgun & rifle), but in the states I mention the gun hunting is extremely limited during peak rut. That is why the bucks are big, and it is advantagious to bowhunt the peak rut. Most of mygun shot opportunities have been in bow range anyway, like this year's muzzleloader kill.

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

Bearkat, Here's that IL muzzleloader kill I mentioned. Not a giant, but not bad for public land. I easily could have taken him with a bow.

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

If you're thinking about Kansas, think about triplecreekoutfitters.com. I've hunted with them for 3 years and have yet to be the least bit dissatisfied. I shot a 162" deer this past year and have seen several bucks around 200" in the past. I know that sounds outrageous, but it is true. Check out Richards website----you'll even get to see my picture.


Heath

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

How can you talk about the Midwest without mentioning Buffalo County, WI? However, you will need to find an outfitter because it is majority private. A few public areas, but you run into alot of water.

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

I would suggest checking out www.grandriveroutfitters.com Don will take care of you. Lodging and meals are included.

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

the triplecreekoutfitters.com doesnt work

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

triplecreekoutfitter.com. Sorry---I added an s.

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

Heres a few outfitters in buffalo county, WI

http://www.bluffbucks.net/
http://www.bluffcountryoutfitters.com/
and heres another farth up in the northwoods
http://www.forestofantlers.com/

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

what about a nebraska mule deer hunt. you should at least look at www.deermeadowsoutfitters.com they have monster mulies. plus they have a few whitetails too. the whitetails are monsters. This one is going to be close to a world record typical this year. These picturesare from2005 he was 3.5 then his nickname is ribcage. They saw him this pastyear, but didn't get a shot at him.Definately check out the website.

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

Boy oh boy, is Scott still passing those pics out .That is a nice deer, I will give him that. That is some very nice ground he leases. You look at it and think ,theres no damn deer here, and then one jumps out from behind a tree...... Oh wait there is no trees in the sand hills. The spot and stalk can be alot of fun, but better be in good shape. Those hills will tear you up if your not. But if your looking for a real tropfey deer look at timbercreekoutfitters in central Il. not the golden triangle, but a place that makes HUGE white tails.

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

Why not michigan. i know it is overhunted but even on the most overhunted land in michigan i have been able to see massive bucks. just finding the right outfitter by calling and doing your homework. another good idea is to find a private individual who would let you use his land for the right price. the thumb of michigan has some of the highest deer ratio of anywhere. i would honestly suggest michigan... but again practice up with your best slug gun. i have well over a thousand in my slug gun and can touch em out to 200 yards.

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

I have a 400 acre farm in Morgan County Illinois available for lease. It is only $10/acre Will consider 7 day bowhunts or 3/4 day gun hunts. All DIY.

PM your email address and I can get you more info.

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

Crazycoonhunter, I hope you're not calling this deer a Mule Deer? It's a white tail deer.:D

Spudrow from Mo

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

I live in KS and hunt in southeast KS.
I'm thinking about getting a muzzleloader or going to a bow for the best chance at a big buck. Also not as crowded as far as getting a place to hunt.
Our regular rifle season is a little late tobag a smarttrophy buck, that might lower his guard for the rut.

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

There are zero outfitters and no big deer in MN so dont bother coming here.

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

I wasn't calling it a mule deer (i said plus they have a few whitetails too. the whitetails are monsters. This one is going to be close to a world record typical this year.) I have shot both and have been around both my whole life, i definately know the difference. I see both species almost everyday.

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

Ah, Ok. Didn't mean to get on you bad side!!! The post was just confusing to me. Thanks for setting the record straight.

Nice whitetail. I'll be coming to Nebraska this September hoping to get a shot at a good one.


Spudrow from Mo

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

That's a beast - that's for sure! Hard to say what he'll do in future years... He may start growing some trash which would probably push up his gross score, but then he would probably lose some overall points as a typical...

Not that I would be complaining :D

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

You know, I've been hearing the same thing about IL. No sense for no-res to bother coming here either.

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

This, I mean.

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

PM, me your # Im in se kansas, and have some land that im gonna allow, 2-4 bowhunters yearly to come and hunt, I will have the stands and feeders etc, you stay in Motel, and I will show you where to go $750/week and you draw your tag, dont pay unless you draw. This year kansas made all nonresident tags draw only, no transferable, but was told that if you send in by May 31 you will likely geet drawn first year...The land that you are gonna be hunting in river bottoms/oak ridges all natural funnels plenty of timber, its gonna be around 600acres that is spread out so 2 guys will never see each other! Im an avid bowhunter and know what im doing in the deer woods as far as archery setup. Im not going to hunt this piece (i have more that i will hunt) this is a managed area, last year had one guy come and he shot a 167 on day 1 of his hunt, like to keep it a 130'' minimum and you will take one doe as well. If you dont want the meat I will take care of it, just like to keep #s close right now its roughly 8-1on this tract. bucks seen pushing 200 inches and 1 nontypical that was 3 1/2 that was in the mid 170s should be a stud this year. let me know if interested (that goes for anyone reading this)

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

You did say RIFLE....that rules out several states on your list. I've hunted KS every year since 2001,and have killed 150 - 160 class bucks each year except one. That year I slipped up and popped an eight point that scored 148! I lease my own land now,but have hunted with Kent and Kirby Buer near Concordia.... They kill 160's and better each year. Reasonably priced. www.riverbluffhunting.com Great people. Best of luck to you! Here's a shot of my buck from this last season. He netted a shade under 165! Kansas is a magical place!

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

book a hunt in what's the county in wisconsin? buffalo county/wis? whichever the #1 state is. ......or Iowa....

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

If you are wanting to fill your tags, come to Wisconsin. Deer are everywhere, and I mean everywhere. There are also some very nice deer up here too. If you do plan on comming up here, stay away from Oneida County up to the Michigan border. Too many wolves up there eating all the deer.

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

When does archery season start and end? How much for a non resident tag? Is iteasy to find places to hunt?

Spudrow from Mo

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

:

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

Add Wisconsin to your list. Too many hunters overlook Wisconsin as a prime state to hunt. Wed love to have you.....and your money :D

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

Don't waste your time hunting anywhere in Wisconsin, To Many hunters not doing QDM, Not many trophies out there, and most your deer have CWD. Try OHIO, heard that the venison tastes better there.

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

The Venison tastes wonderful in Ohio!! Remember we have two records to our name:D Only problem is, no rifle. If you DO come to Ohio look for places in the Athens, Ohio area, absolute monsters down there. Ever heard of the Hanson and Beatty Bucks? Thats the area they were shot, both with bow.

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

We have more than a few records to our name....however, athens county wasn't where they were taken. Athens county does have big bucks, as do Jackson, Scioto, Ross, Pike, Adams, etc....however, the Beatty buck was taken in Xenia ohio, just outside of Dayton. The Hanson Buck, if your talking about Milo, was taken in Saskatchewan Canada....we also have the Jonathon Schmucker buckwhich was taken in Adams County on the Ohio River....as well as the Willis buck which was residing on one of my farms, in was the largest buck taken by an archer in 1999, and scored 253 inches....these are only a few....

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

first of all coon hunter that deer is dead, he died opening day of rifle in 05 the day after scott took that pic from the highway not even on his leased ground, he tried to use that same pic for a couple of years until he caught to much **** for false advertising, haha whats new.
as of right now that deer is hanging in alabama...\

so u also can stop advertising for him, falsely...

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

Definitely don't come to Indiana, there are no big bucks running around here: ;)

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

IL- no rifle...., Muzzy during 2nd shotgun, or late season doe only, so its slug or bow for a big boy....

WI- I think only the northern half is rifle,

IA- is slug only I think too, no rifle

other states not so sure about....

RE: Wanting to Hunt Midwest....need Help!!
 

missouri is anything, rifle, pistol, bow, muzzleloader, shotgun