A recent survey of hunters and sportsmen /women have produced a list of destinations where you can find the “Best Quality Hunting”, per game species, in the United States. I always wondered who the survey consulted. In a long life of hunting multiple species and places, I have never been consulted. Anyway, the survey focused on trophy sized, public access, expense, habitat, success rates, tag availability, experience, and satisfaction.

Personally, my best hunting is wherever I can physically and comfortably hunt at my age and health. The best hunting is where you have experienced the best hunting. This often means who I was hunting with and the overall experience and fun. A trophy is any legally and ethically harvested critter. 

Here is what the survey said.

Elk    Grand Junction, Colorado. Largest herd of migratory elk left in North America. The western part of the state offers over 80% public access. 

Deer    Butler County, Kansas. Over 60 Boone and Crockett bucks have been recorded. 12 great counties to access. Access and public lands are reasonable. 

Mule Deer    Colorado strikes again. Access, habitat, good management programs, access to public lands. As excellent. The western plains offer great hunting but mulies are found throughout the state. There are also Trophy Units for those after the biggest bucks. 

Pheasants   Pierre South Dakota. A long season is offered and is affordable. Lots of public land. Hughes County has an average of 30 Roosters per mile. 

Turkey    Alabama is the birthplace for modern turkey hunters. Classic hunting, lots of birds. Good access. 

Moose    Vermont is home to a huge population of moose. You need to acquire a tag from a lottery or auction but, the opportunity is huge. 

Ducks/ Geese    Chesapeake Bay, Maryland is considered superb waterfowl hunting for geese and ducks. The environment is impressive, and birds are plentiful. Over 150 rivers and large public hunting areas are available to the public. Great diversity and affordable hunting. 

Bears/Wolves    Alaska is the place to go. Nine-foot-tall bears and a wolf season open year around. Also, moose, sheep, caribou, and waterfowl are available. 

Wild Boar    The central coast of California offers excellent pig hunting. San Luis, Obispo, Monterey, and San Benito Counties are the best. 

The survey did not talk about doves, rabbits, squirrels or other species. For many of us, we were trained on small game. 

Hunt hard, hunt harder!

Montana Grant