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Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: REHJWA on December 08, 2017, 01:16:32 PM


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Title: Best Deer State
Post by: REHJWA on December 08, 2017, 01:16:32 PM
Which state produced your best deer.

2016 Idaho buck.
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: Special T on December 08, 2017, 01:17:57 PM
Idaho, but I saw some absolute mashers in SE Kansas...

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Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: cbond3318 on December 08, 2017, 01:19:47 PM
Washington, Whidbey Island Doe. Best tasting deer I’ve had.
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: tonymiller7 on December 08, 2017, 01:21:01 PM
Washington, just because it's the only state I've hunted deer in!
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: vandeman17 on December 08, 2017, 01:29:49 PM
Mule deer and whitetail both from Montana
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: CaNINE on December 08, 2017, 02:18:06 PM
Wyoming
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: jjhunter on December 08, 2017, 02:21:17 PM
Colorado for me, but overall, I have had the worst overall success in Colorado.   Best buck from each state:  CO, ID, NV, MT, WY, WA.

It's always interesting for me to look back and compare time vs. success.   Pretty telling over time.
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on December 08, 2017, 02:23:10 PM
Other, never hunted out of state.
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: jackelope on December 08, 2017, 02:29:42 PM
JJ-
If you ever need any advice on killing big bucks, feel free to ask. You know how to get hold of me.
 :tup:
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: jjhunter on December 08, 2017, 03:14:33 PM
JJ-
If you ever need any advice on killing big bucks, feel free to ask. You know how to get hold of me.
 :tup:

Haha.  If you figure it out, let me know.  I spend way too much time agonizing over where to spend my limited time/resources every year! 
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: huntnphool on December 08, 2017, 03:19:06 PM
 I've tagged 180"+ bucks in all three, each has its positives and negatives.
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: X-Force on December 08, 2017, 03:21:47 PM
I've tagged 180"+ bucks in all three, each has its positives and negatives.

I want to hunt with you... But I really just want the positives.  :tup:
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: huntnphool on December 08, 2017, 03:39:14 PM
I've tagged 180"+ bucks in all three, each has its positives and negatives.

I want to hunt with you... But I really just want the positives.  :tup:

 Positives.......Montana has more deer! If you are looking for a high scoring buck, and understand that to find a "true" 180" buck, on average you will need to look over more than 500, then it makes sense to go where you actually can look over that many. Of course there are exceptions to every rule, and you can't account for luck, but that's a good rule of thumb. Some would say it's closer to 1000.....ymmv. :twocents:

 Idaho is remote enough that you won't run into the pumpkin patches you see here, and has a good population. But the beauty of Idaho for me is they have units that are draw only. For those of us looking for mature bucks, are not concerned with filling the freezer and just enjoy being out there with the real possibility of connecting with a masher, Idaho has options Washington doesn't. Montana has a couple of these units as well, they regularly produce trophy quality bucks.

 The reason I like Washington is "mass". Compared to Washington, Montana bucks are spindly for the most part. Again there are exceptions to the rule, but on average the bucks I'm targeting have quite a bit more mass.

 The obvious positive to Washington is resident fees and close proximity to home. Where I hunt in Montana is 16 hours away, and requires two of your hunting days just to get there and back. :twocents:

 Maybe we can get JJ to chime in on a few of the other states he's hunted recently, Wyoming, Colorado, Nevada...etc.
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: time2hunt on December 08, 2017, 04:12:25 PM
Colorado is probably the top producing state for trophy bucks every unit has potential of producing 180 plus bucks.  Wyoming would be in the running with a little bit of game management . Montana is coming on strong over the last couple years with Idaho dropping off a tad do to winter kill and over harvest is some units. Washington and Oregon still can produce but need some serious help on the management programs. This is my Colorado muzzy buck and I saw over 25 different bucks In a week hunt. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171209/b5bcddb1013e2d2f8d26b24c0e02b4b1.jpg)


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Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: Miles on December 08, 2017, 04:14:45 PM
My best buck was from Washington.   With that said, I think my future best buck will come from Wyoming.   Maybe Colorado, but I’ve got a good feeling about Wyoming..

Not sure I’ll ever make the trip back to hunt Washington again.  Maybe if I have an odd year and fail to draw a tag elsewhere.
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on December 08, 2017, 04:18:01 PM
Wyoming for whitetail and mule deer.  However, I've never killed a really high scoring buck deer, a few 160s mule deer and best whitetail 132.
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: C-Money on December 08, 2017, 04:23:47 PM
Washington for mule deer, Oregon for my best whitetail
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: Bluemoon on December 08, 2017, 04:39:16 PM
My last year's spindley Montana buck. I have the best Blacktail in Washington right in my backyard.  But I will never hunt this state again...They don't deserve my money for doing nothing to help hunting.
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: boneaddict on December 08, 2017, 04:41:28 PM
Phool nailed it when he said each has a positive and a negative.  Every state fits in that right along with Nevada, Utah and Oregon.
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: elkrack on December 08, 2017, 05:03:02 PM
Big sky for me. But that’s the only out of state hunt I’ve done! Hopefully be doing a outta state hunt in the upcoming year! Tagging this thread  :tup:
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: bigmacc on December 08, 2017, 09:50:39 PM
Well, Washington at one time had some big bucks, I posted some pictures a few years ago on this site of deer my family has killed going back to the early 1900,s. This state at one time held some huge deer(1930,s-1960,s) and some big fellas were killed into the 70,s also. We would every once in awhile throw a tape measure on a good buck but I will say we have never had a deer "scored". We have killed somewhere around 600 bucks in this state and I know at least "a few" of them could have been some sort of a record. I recall a buck my dad killed in 1963 that hung in our garage rafters that was 33inches, one that was killed by my great grandma in "43" that was 36inches and one my uncle killed in 1957 that was a hair over 37inches. The thing was back then was "you can't eat the horns", we gave most of those racks away to people who "made stuff out of them", a "trophy" was a medal you hung on your wall for doing something good in life, not for killing an animal. I seen with my own eyes a buck hanging in a shop, up a dirt road in the area we hunt that was probably THE biggest deer I have ever seen dead or alive, yes it was in this state and no I don't have a picture but I seen it in the back of a Ford pickup as they backed up to hoist it up into the  rafters of the shop and that bucks head was like a cow and the rack was huge. A few on here may have heard of this buck (1966), and I mean only "heard" of it because the old fella that shot it was a bit of a recluse. My dad and I seen a buck in November of 1973(or74 :dunno:) that was ONE of the biggest deer I,ve ever seen, strolling through an apple orchard in about a foot of snow, a rack about 32-35 inches wide and HEAVY horned, he was by himself, walking slow and his neck barely was able to hold the weight of his horns, his head swung side to side and he would stop every 10-15 feet and rest, I remember my dad saying "he won't even make it another week, let alone the winter". This state used to hold some big deer, its really to bad where its at today.... :twocents:
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: M_ray on December 08, 2017, 10:03:15 PM
What Phool said ...

I chose other cause I have shot my largest scoring buck in Montana and some great bucks in WA and love hunting Idaho for the lack of orange dots but have settled for mostly tag soup in doing so.
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: jjhunter on December 09, 2017, 07:58:56 AM
The only states that I have 100% penciled in for 2018 are Colorado and Montana.  Typically, Montana would be a filler state for me, but I need a 180” buck from MT and I believe that now is the time to make that happen.

I will only hunt Idaho on a limited entry permit from now on.  I have purchased a tag in Idaho every year since 1999 (senior in High School), many years, I purchased two in order to hunt different areas/times.   I have also drawn 5 LE deer tags.  The odds of finding a buck that I want to shoot on a general tag are too slim to waste a week of vacation.

I have drawn Nevada in back to back years.  Two of the best tags in the state.  16 days hunting, one dead buck.  Low densities, good quality.  You need a lot of days to kill a really big deer (190” plus).   I wasn’t able to get that done...

I’ve hunted western Wyoming twice, both times Region H.  Beautiful country and lots of bucks.  I have 7 deer points and am kinda waiting to see what happens with deer tag quotas in G and H.  If they continue to limit tags, could make for a very enjoyable hunt in the near future.

Colorado can be an ass kicker on the 3rd season hunts.  They can also be amazing with weather.   I got tired of rolling the dice and will hunt early from now on.  Lots of effort, but the potential for a giant is much more probable.

Of all the states listed, if I wanted to be 100% positive that I would kill a 160” plus 4 point mule deer, MT would be my state every time.  Plus, you always have the small chance of seeing something exceptional.
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: pianoman9701 on December 09, 2017, 08:41:19 AM
NH. Sorry, I have no photos from back East.
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: cem3434 on December 09, 2017, 08:43:53 AM
I think JJ's assessment is pretty spot on.
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: hunter399 on December 09, 2017, 08:50:15 AM
I will add my  :twocents:,even though it's not 2 cents at all.
NOT WASHINGTON
when wdfw manages for wildlife and not for hunters in mind washington has great potential for some great trophys.
There is that saying the grass is greener on the other side , But it really is not ,so I'm not sure. :dunno:
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: boneaddict on December 09, 2017, 08:59:14 AM
One of the benefits of Washington, the ability to hunt Muleys, whitetail, blacktail, and yes Benchlegs. 


Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: zwickeyman on December 09, 2017, 09:18:04 AM
WA Muledeer
WA Whitetail
WA Blacktail

Only hunted Muledeer in Idaho when I was a kid
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: Kazekurt on December 09, 2017, 09:32:02 AM
I've only hunted WA and Montana for deer.  I've shot some nice bucks in both states, but like MT better.  As far as what state has produced my best deer, I'll let you guys decide as I like them both.  WA buck is 33 wide and carries the mass throughout, but MT buck has better symmetry, deep back  forks, and color.  If we're factoring in the hunt, I'd choose the WA buck because I got him in late archery and had a ton of time invested in him.


Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: REHJWA on December 09, 2017, 10:28:54 AM
I've only hunted WA and Montana for deer.  I've shot some nice bucks in both states, but like MT better.  As far as what state has produced my best deer, I'll let you guys decide as I like them both.  WA buck is 33 wide and carries the mass throughout, but MT buck has better symmetry, deep back  forks, and color.  If we're factoring in the hunt, I'd choose the WA buck because I got him in late archery and had a ton of time invested in him.
I like them both too :tup: :tup:
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: CAMPMEAT on December 09, 2017, 12:11:19 PM
What's a bench leg ? Never, ever heard of this term used out of 45 years of hunting.
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: huntnphool on December 09, 2017, 12:46:28 PM
What's a bench leg ? Never, ever heard of this term used out of 45 years of hunting.

 :chuckle:
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: Timberstalker on December 09, 2017, 01:29:16 PM
@ Jim Burnsworth.
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: huntnphool on December 09, 2017, 02:24:55 PM
@ Jim Burnsworth.

Lmao :chuckle:
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: Russ McDonald on December 09, 2017, 03:00:10 PM
MN I got this  buck when I was 12 37 years ago.  A awesome story goes with it. My family has got some beasts over the years.  I know there are some good deer here in WA and looking forward to putting a beast on the ground.
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: CAMPMEAT on December 09, 2017, 03:21:59 PM
What's a bench leg ? Never, ever heard of this term used out of 45 years of hunting.

 :chuckle:


C'mon, give it up phool....
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: haugenna on December 09, 2017, 04:57:51 PM
@ Jim Burnsworth.

Lmao :chuckle:

:peep:
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: WAcoueshunter on December 09, 2017, 06:22:30 PM
I've only hunted WA and Montana for deer.  I've shot some nice bucks in both states, but like MT better.  As far as what state has produced my best deer, I'll let you guys decide as I like them both.  WA buck is 33 wide and carries the mass throughout, but MT buck has better symmetry, deep back  forks, and color.  If we're factoring in the hunt, I'd choose the WA buck because I got him in late archery and had a ton of time invested in him.
I like them both too :tup: :tup:

Both great, but I love the WA buck.  You just don't see many bucks that look like that.  The archery part is a whole lot of icing on the cake.   :tup:
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: robescc on December 09, 2017, 07:15:59 PM
Oregon
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: 257 Wby Mag on December 09, 2017, 09:32:34 PM
I've tagged 180"+ bucks in all three, each has its positives and negatives.

Would you care to share pics of  said bucks? I love looking at 180” bucks. Thanks
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: ac_156 on December 09, 2017, 11:38:48 PM
Nevada. There are some monster bucks there
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: Miles on December 10, 2017, 07:49:24 AM
The only states that I have 100% penciled in for 2018 are Colorado and Montana.

Didn’t you fill a tag in CO this year?   That severely limits the mule deer hunts going in with with zero points.   Are you relying on a chance at a tag from the leftover list?
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: White Pass Outfitters on December 10, 2017, 07:53:01 AM
I kinda like Utah's draw areas.
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: jjhunter on December 10, 2017, 07:58:27 AM
The only states that I have 100% penciled in for 2018 are Colorado and Montana.

Didn’t you fill a tag in CO this year?   That severely limits the mule deer hunts going in with with zero points.   Are you relying on a chance at a tag from the leftover list?

Zero point hunt. 
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: CAMPMEAT on December 10, 2017, 08:03:57 AM
Illinois............
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: meatwhack on December 10, 2017, 12:31:38 PM
The only states that I have 100% penciled in for 2018 are Colorado and Montana.

Didn’t you fill a tag in CO this year?   That severely limits the mule deer hunts going in with with zero points.   Are you relying on a chance at a tag from the leftover list?

Zero point hunt.

I thought you had to build up 20+ points to kill big bucks.
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: Buckhunter28 on December 10, 2017, 08:35:32 PM
Depends, my biggest buck came out of Washington, a 185" typical, my second biggest out of Wyoming, a 165" typical. As far as deer quantity and quality, Wyoming has Washington beat for both. I saw many more bucks of great quality in a day than I do in an entire season in Washington. With that said, I love hunting Washington and Wyoming, each are fun, but Wyoming holds more deer and better bucks. My  :twocents: :tup:
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: Mr Mykiss on December 10, 2017, 09:13:01 PM
I reckon oregon produced my best buck but that ain't sayin much. I feel like for great public land OTC bucks idaho would be tough to beat. I do reckon that CO is the best state overall. But I know nothing of big deer :(
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: Magnum_Willys on December 10, 2017, 09:23:01 PM
What's a bench leg ? Never, ever heard of this term used out of 45 years of hunting.

 :chuckle:


C'mon, give it up phool....

West of Cascades summit some of the blacktails crossbreed with the Muleys and you get Giant Blacktails.  These are referred to as "Benchlegs" an old equine term loosely suggesting "long or unusual legs". 
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: REHJWA on December 11, 2017, 08:17:37 AM
MN I got this  buck when I was 12 37 years ago.  A awesome story goes with it. My family has got some beasts over the years.  I know there are some good deer here in WA and looking forward to putting a beast on the ground.
:tup: :tup:
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: idahohuntr on December 11, 2017, 08:51:44 AM
Idaho for me...both muley and whitetail.  Got my best whitetail this year in fact...just short of 150".  I'm building points in other states (WY, CO, UT) - but have not hunted deer in any of them yet.  Montana will probably be my next out of state hunt though...not too far and seems like a lot of opportunity.
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: Lapua07 on June 20, 2018, 08:44:42 PM
Tough toss up between Montana and Washington. Both are about the same Caliber of buck 155-160.  I also killed a 140" 2 point in N. Idaho that's still one of my all time favorites. As for White-tail.. only hunted Washington so there's that.
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: jackelope on June 20, 2018, 09:01:26 PM
140” 2 Point? Got any pics?
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: Lapua07 on June 20, 2018, 09:04:37 PM
140” 2 Point? Got any pics?
Don't have any on my my new phone I'll have to get some when I get home. Old buck on the decel. He was pretty busted up in the one hind leg. Teeth worn past the gum line. Figured he'd be in that 9-10+ age group.
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: jackelope on June 20, 2018, 09:13:32 PM
Do you recall the main beam length?
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: Brushbuster on June 20, 2018, 09:28:54 PM
I have to vote for Idaho. Never scored but think he's good one.  :chuckle: Killed in 1988 public land gen season. Elk was taken by my buddy's dad. Who is still chasing elk in his mid 80s.
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: Roperfive88 on June 20, 2018, 09:50:54 PM
Biggest mule deer is from Washington. It was my first deer.
Whitetail is also from Washington.
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: JWEBB on June 20, 2018, 10:28:43 PM
I have to vote for Idaho. Never scored but think he's good one.  :chuckle: Killed in 1988 public land gen season. Elk was taken by my buddy's dad. Who is still chasing elk in his mid 80s.

Wow! Nice buck! I’d be surprised if he didn’t go over the 200 mark.
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: Goshawk on June 20, 2018, 10:32:13 PM
Hands down Wyoming.

We saw more good bucks in a shorter amount of time than we could have ever dreamed of compared to Washington.
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: JWEBB on June 20, 2018, 10:32:51 PM
140” 2 Point? Got any pics?

 :yeah: I’ve killed some huge 2 points but a 140 is a massive one. Would love to see pics. There was a 2 point at the Pacific Northwest sportsman’s show this year that netted 132. Some young kid killed it. Absolute beast
Title: Re: Best Deer State
Post by: huntnphool on June 20, 2018, 11:06:07 PM
140” 2 Point? Got any pics?

 :yeah: I’ve killed some huge 2 points but a 140 is a massive one. Would love to see pics. There was a 2 point at the Pacific Northwest sportsman’s show this year that netted 132. Some young kid killed it. Absolute beast

 +1
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