So if you could buy anywhere as a non-resident after trophy deer

G

gjs4

5 year old buck +
Just one of those what if's .....but you cant move there and lets look at it from a blue collar w2 purchase power perspective (not 10M Powerball spend). So lets say 75-100ac. Where and what does it look like?

I am tied between OH, IL and KS. Oh s closest and feel a timbered 100 near ag could be cut for bedding, a couple plots and some water holes added. IL seems to offer that great ag with cover as a commodity. KS is just the last hold out where mature deer are prevalent and id go on the eastern edge of central mixed ag and riparian mix. Topography that condenses deer travel and offers a few no-brainer entry-exits would be key on all three. Ideally near varied grains and plots would be clover/chicory with maybe some brassica portions.
 
MO / Buffalo County WI / IA. / My place in MN....depend how much money you got. grin.
 
75-100 I’m in some bottom ground in the Dakotas or Kansas
 
A dollar limit would be helpful.
75-100 acres without Powerball money I think I'd be looking at KY.
 
I’d pick Iowa or South Dakota!
 
You can’t move there so Iowa is out for me I’d go Illinois or Missouri the drive my sw mi might make the parts of Missouri I like out realistically tho. I’d look for a farm with some topography and crp stuff that’s 2 rough for farmers


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I wouldn't be looking at specific states as much as I would neighborhoods in states. I'd want to be in a neighborhood that consistently produced top end bucks. Even different areas of counties can have a stark difference dependent on the neighbors. Finding the area in a county where bucks can reach maturity on great food is more important than the state. Yes, some states have better regulations that can lend themselves to producing mature bucks with regularity, but regulations can change. If a neighborhood is already producing trophies, they're more apt to regulate themselves into keeping that trend going.
 
Since my definition of a trophy deer is a 200+ lb. buck tracked and killed on snow I gotta go with a cozy little place on a 1 acre lot in Jackman, Maine.
 
I'd want something I can't luck into at home, a big buck still in velvet.

I believe Kentucky has a season early enough to get a velvet buck, not sure what other states do?
 
Is KS draw state for non res?
 
SwampCat said:
Is KS draw state for non res?
Click to expand...

Sometimes. Occasionally units have leftover tags and they can be had over the counter. Thats because as Cat said there are no more big bucks here and people are figuring that out…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I have heard from a number of people SD has really gone down hill
 
I think you run a high risk of other states adopting the Iowa model of nonresident landowners still having to go through a draw. I definitely think that is coming to most of the popular whitetail states throughout the Midwest. For what you pay per acre for quality ground in IA, IL, WI, you can probably buy very high end property in your own state and enjoy hunting that most never get to experience.
 
I’ve lived and hunted in Illinois my entire life. I’m not sure a “blue collar guy” can buy 75 to 100 acres here anymore. Maybe deep southern Illinois - maybe. Most of the popular deer counties here are going to run you around $6000 an acre for rec ground now. I don’t consider $600,000 to be working class money but maybe I am behind the times. To answer your question - I’d personally look long and hard at Kentucky.
 
Barndog56 said:
I'd want something I can't luck into at home, a big buck still in velvet.

I believe Kentucky has a season early enough to get a velvet buck, not sure what other states do?
Click to expand...
Last I knew Nebraska was Sept 1. It used to be the 15th, but then we finally got it switched to Sept 1. Of course then I proceeded to move out of state .... LOL. I can still go back and hunt family land under the landowners direct family clause, but I barely find enough time to hunt here at home. I would love to shoot a velvet buck for the wall.
 
I don't think it matters which state. Just find 100 acres of trees surrounded by ag, put in a few food plots, protein feeders, and bedding areas, and you'll have giants in a few years.
 
How far are you thinking of driving? With a long drive how often are you going to get there
 
Since you limit this to trophy deer and 100 acres, I like a property with 80 to 140' of elevation change; 50% timber, year round water source; ideally in an area with CRP, neighboring row crops farms, and like-minded neighbors.

I'd say northern Missouri, southern Iowa and southern Ohio would be my target states.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top