Best hunting state?

[freddogs]

I asked this question in the big game site and i'm wondering about people's opinions here. What the best state to live in for upland game hunting. I may move if I lose my job soon and would like to relocate to a good hunting state. I was thinking of the Dakotas or maybe Kansas. I've never hunted upland game outside of WI and MN. It's good down south isn't it? :?

[Jumpshootin']

If you're talking about pheasant hunting I'd think South Dakota, Iowa, or Kansas would be fine.  For grouse and woodcock you probably can't beat MN, WI, or the UP of Michigan.  But good luck finding a job in the UP.

[Selmer]

For all around upland hunting, I might be a bit biased, but you can't beat South Dakota, or North Dakota for that matter.  Great pheasant hunting in most areas, grouse in the prairie, along with prairie chickens and hungarian partridges.  The waterfowling in the eastern part of the state is outstanding, and the deer hunting is great, and if you want to pay a little more go to the Black Hills and hunt some elk!
Selmer

[Huntrap_MT]

As far as I'm concerned MT has about the most versatile hunting known. Sharptails, Huns, Pheasants, Sage grouse, Turkey, several Mountian grouses, Dove. Then you can combine hunts for most species too. Here you also got Elk, Moose, Sheep, Goats, Black Bear, Antelope, Muley, Whitetails, Lions, and Grizzly permits should soon be available again within the next couple of years. If you want to persue Furbearers, then you got: Beaver, Otter, Muskrat, Mink, Marten, Fisher, Wolverine, and Bobcat (Lynx cat). Canadian Lynx are now protected, but should come off the list again and be persued whithin a few years hopefully.  Like to hunt Predators and nongame animals? We have: Coyote, Weasel, Skunk, Spotted Skunk, Badger, Raccoon, Redfox. We have Snowshoes, Cottontails, Jacks,  many, many species of Ground Squirrels and Tree Squirrels. Swan hunting, Crane, Geese, Ducks. I think I will quit there as you probabaly get the point. A man can hunt so much here that you could do it full time if you found a way to make money at it. I admit as a resident that hunting here is overwhelming and it is tough to pick which critters a guy wants go after. As far as hunting goes I would be nowhere else including Alaska. My opinion.  :toast:

[smoky]

Guys,

Louisiana isn't called the "Sportsman's Paridise" for nothing.  This state boasts an unsurpassed combination of freshwater, inland saltwater, and offshore fishing, bountiful deer and turkey populations, great small game hunting, and is smack in the middle of the delta flyway for waterfowl.  And if you get tired of all the above, you can try your hand at froggin, gators, shrimping, bowfishing, etc, etc.

Smoky

[Buckshotliam]

Clearly, for me, the answer is the great state of South Dakota!

[prairiedog555]

I live in NE Kansas.  Lots of Deer, Lots of turkeys, OK quail not very good for pheasants.  I read an article a while back in Magazine that rated the best place to live for hunting in every state.  In Kansas it was around Kirwin resevoir in N Central Kansas. 
Now that gas is so high it seems that if you get about 2-3 hrs away from major population area and live anywhere in midwest you should have lots of quality outdoor activities.
Am now semi retired and live in small town and my hunting starts 3min from my house.  Waited 20 years for this.

[lewdogg21]

California sucks for everything except waterfowl.


I had to take my state out of the running.   

[dukkillr]

Pure upland bird hunting?  South Dakota, no debate (and this is from a Kansas resident).

But add in Kansas's awesome turkey and deer hunting, plus good waterfowl and upland and I like living here.  We also have a pronghorn and mule deer.  It's also nice to be in the middle of the country.  1 day drive to manitoba in june for fishing.  1 day drive to colorado in october for elk.  1 day drive to texas for pigs/turkeys/deer/quail. 

Plus you can live in eastern kansas (where I live) and have all the outdoor possibilities plus a major metropolitian area. 

[jrlinz]

As far as I'm concerned MT has about the most versatile hunting known. Sharptails, Huns, Pheasants, Sage grouse, Turkey, several Mountian grouses, Dove. Then you can combine hunts for most species too. Here you also got Elk, Moose, Sheep, Goats, Black Bear, Antelope, Muley, Whitetails, Lions, and Grizzly permits should soon be available again within the next couple of years. If you want to persue Furbearers, then you got: Beaver, Otter, Muskrat, Mink, Marten, Fisher, Wolverine, and Bobcat (Lynx cat). Canadian Lynx are now protected, but should come off the list again and be persued whithin a few years hopefully.  Like to hunt Predators and nongame animals? We have: Coyote, Weasel, Skunk, Spotted Skunk, Badger, Raccoon, Redfox. We have Snowshoes, Cottontails, Jacks,  many, many species of Ground Squirrels and Tree Squirrels. Swan hunting, Crane, Geese, Ducks. I think I will quit there as you probabaly get the point. A man can hunt so much here that you could do it full time if you found a way to make money at it. I admit as a resident that hunting here is overwhelming and it is tough to pick which critters a guy wants go after. As far as hunting goes I would be nowhere else including Alaska. My opinion.  :toast:

"Turn me loose, set me free, somewhere in the middle of Montana, give me all I've got coming to me.
You can keep your retirement and your so-called Social Security.  Big city, turn me loose and set me free." Merle Haggard.