Best Whitetail State: Alaska vs. Wisconsin

Whitetail hunters love to argue about which state holds the biggest and baddest bucks. But which one is really the best?

Well, a lot of what makes hunting ground “the best” depends on your personal preferences. Do you like big bucks, and you cannot lie? Maybe you just like to hunt around fewer people. Or maybe you like to feel like a kid in a candy shop, surrounded by opportunities for deer of all ages. Do you prefer to travel or are you more of a homebody? Maybe you like to manage a food plot and be able to set up trail cams.

There is no real definitive answer for the best whitetail state, so we asked the crew what their favorites are. And ultimately, we want you to determine which state will be crowned the Best Whitetail State by voting below. Did your favorite whitetail state not get included? Sound off in the comments!

In this matchup, we’ve got Janis repping a classic whitetail state: Wisconsin. And Steve with the edgy pick of Alaska. Which is the better state? It’s up to you to decide.

Alaska

“My pick for the best whitetail state is Alaska. A lot of guys want an easy hunt, and I understand that, but I'm a guy who likes a challenge. Whitetail hunting in Alaska kicks your ass every time. Whether you're after swamp bucks or mountain bucks, you can put years of effort in and never even see a whitetail. Believe me, I know. But I know that I'm gonna have success someday, and when I do, all that failure and effort will feel all the more sweeter.” - Steve Rinella

Public Land: About 325 million acres or 89% of the state’s land Deer Population Estimate: There isn’t exactly an established population of whitetails in Alaska, yet. If you want to learn more about whitetails in The Last Frontier, check out Mark Kenyon’s recent hunt. Deer Tag Price: Whitetail (and mule deer) are invasive in Alaska. In an attempt to learn more about these populations, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game requires hunters to salvage the entire carcass and know which parts are required for submission. However, you don’t need to purchase a permit or have a harvest ticket, and there is no bag limit.

Wisconsin

“My favorite whitetail state is Wisconsin. It's got the hardcore deer culture of Michigan AND big bucks. It's also where I own deer hunting land, which I love to manage the habitat on. My connection to that 40 acres is stronger than ever. I can smell it just thinking about it. And although I grew up hunting Michigan and Wisconsin, Wisconsin is where we had our real deer camp. A deer camp is a special thing; I wouldn't be who I am today without that camp.” - Janis Putelis

Deer Population Estimate: 1.6 Million Public Lands: 5.6 million acres or 16% of the state’s land Avg. Annual Antlered Bucks Harvest: 153,678 Avg. Annual Antlerless Harvest: 165,389 Bucks Harvested Per 100 Hunters: 27 Deer Tag Price: $24 resident, $200 nonresident

(Harvest data via the National Deer Association’s 2024 Deer Report.)

Note: Votes will not be counted from the comment section, so please use the voting box below to select your favorite state and ensure it advances to the next bracket!

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