Top 5 Early-Season States for Whitetail

by
posted on September 20, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
top_early_whitetail_f.jpg

Buck hunting is hot in the early season—in more ways than one. Here are five destinations that are primed for early-season action.

5. Maryland
Trust me, Maryland grows big-antlered deer. Hunt them with a bow starting Sept. 9. And public land isn’t that hard to find.

4. Kansas
Sept. 12 marks the opener for buck hunting with both archery equipment and muzzleloaders. Does the term “corn-fed” mean anything to you?

3. Washington
Need a place to bowhunt on Sept. 1? You can only take one buck, but you’ve got three species to choose from: whitetail, blacktail and mule deer.

2. Wyoming
You’ll need to draw a tag, but if you get lucky head to the state’s northeast corner for a big archery buck starting Sept. 10.

1. Kentucky
Lots of food and killer genetics has produced Booner bucks from every corner of the state, and starting Sept. 3 you can tag one.

Looking to book a September buck hunt? Check out the services offered by Worldwide Trophy Adventures. Providing professional consultation, the firm can handle the details from booking to tagging out, making sure the action on your early-season hunt is hot.

Latest

Ledemule Deer Foundation Delivers
Ledemule Deer Foundation Delivers

MDF Invested $48.3 Million for Conservation in 2025

The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) mobilized a total of $48.3 million for mule deer and black-tailed deer in 2025, its second-best year on record. Across 153 projects in 17 states, MDF helped restore more than 537,000 acres of critical wildlife habitat, benefitted 129 deer herds and eliminated or converted 149 miles of hazardous fence to restore safe movement corridors for wildlife.

Behind the Bullet: .17 Mach 2

Ever heard of the .17 Mach 2? Go behind the scenes on this hot little rimfire round with resident ammo guru Phil Massaro.

Tuo Curates Specialized Turkey Hunting Collection

For the 2026 spring season, Tuo has architected a technical system specifically curated to meet the demands of turkey hunters. While engineered for maximum versatility, the Tuo ecosystem has developed a particular following in regions where the early season isn't defined by green leaves and lilac blooms, but by the high-contrast skeletal timber and grey-scale of the early spring woods.

New for 2026: Savage Model 110 Rimfire

Savage Arms has expanded its Model 110 family of rifles into the rimfire world. Long loved by generations of hunters, the classic Model 110 will now include a number of full size, .22 Long Rifle offerings, making up the new Model 110 RF line.

Snow Goose Science: Hunting Tips from the Pros

Want to drop more snow geese during conservation season? Check out these tips, straight from the pro guides at Central Missouri Wildlife.

New for 2026: Apex Ammunition 28-Gauge SmallTown Hunting TSS Turkey Blend

Apex Ammunition is now offering a 28-gauge load in its SmallTown Hunting Blend line of turkey ammunition.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.