What State Is the Best Big Buck Destination?

by
posted on August 11, 2011
** 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. **
bs_2015_fs.jpg (7)

The Question: "What’s the best spot to kill a monster whitetail on a week-long trip?"

I ask myself this question every time I’m in the stand and the answer is always “somewhere else.”

The Expert Differal: Since my success with truly big bucks ranks up there with my ability to pick stocks & lottery numbers, I reached out to an expert. John Burrell is a Certified Wildlife Biologist and owner of both the High Adventure Company and Whitetail Destinations. His clients demand the best hunts availableso he’s constantly on the prowl for the best areas.

“It's hard to beat Texas as a whitetail state for a number of reasons, but first and foremost is the success rate that good ranches offer. While the Midwest is capable of growing huge deer it just can't compete with Texas in terms of success rates.”

In fact, Texas alone accounts forabout 10 percentthe Boone & Crockett Club whitetailentries.

“I think Missouri, Nebraska, and Kentucky may be the best bargains in whitetail hunting and, until recently, one of the best kept secrets," said Burrell.They are becoming better known as top whitetail destinations.”

It sounds to me like John is onto something: The biggest non-typical rack ever recorded was a pick-up (what a shame) from St. Louis County, Missouri, that measured 333 7/8.

The Conclusion: Texas

Tell us youropinion of the best spot for huge bucks. We’d love to know where they live.

Latest

LEDE25 Percent Of Last Year
LEDE25 Percent Of Last Year

One Out of Every Four Hunters Won’t Hunt in 2026

One out of every four hunters who hunted the 2025 season will not hunt in 2026. That startling statistic was arrived at by Southwick Associates after conducting a survey of 28,447 hunters in 20 states.

Says You: Sightseeing on a Hunt?

Editor-in-Chief Scott Olmsted's monthly response column to questions posed by our members. This time, we're discussing hunting practices and traditions, and making some long-distance connections.

First Look: CVA Cascade SR

CVA has announced the Cascade SR. This suppressor-ready version of the company's standard Cascade, is built for hunters who need a compact, maneuverable rifle.

Fueled by AI: Boone and Crockett Club Launches Big Game Records Live 2.0

The Boone and Crockett Club recently launched Big Game Records Live 2.0, a major evolution of its digital platform that transforms the world’s oldest big game records database into an interactive analytics tool for hunters.

Lightweight AR-10: Building a Hunt-Focused Backcountry Rifle (Part 1)

Curious how to create a .308-chambered AR-10 that *doesn't* suck to carry into the backcountry? Dennis Bradley does just that, off a DPMS-pattern lower, and comes it at a shocking weight (read on for the exact number, but it is sub 2). Read on, to see how he does it.

ScentLok Launches Realtree XT-3 Apparel

ScentLok is going all-in on Realtree's new XT-3 pattern, dropping it onto more than half of its latest product introductions. This new look is headlined by the Savanna Fuse, Ridge and BE:1 collections.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.