Best Whitetail State: North Dakota vs. Michigan

Whitetail hunters love to argue about which state holds the biggest and baddest bucks. But which one is reallythe 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 round, we’ve got a head-to-head matchup with the whitetail aficionados of MeatEater: Tony Peterson with North Dakota and Mark Kenyon with Michigan. Which state is better? That’s up to you to decide.

North Dakota

“My favorite whitetail state is North Dakota, without question. I've hunted public land from one end to the other, and have never had a bad hunt. The trophy potential is real, but more importantly, the state just provides an opportunity to spend treestand time in some really unique settings. From eastern-hardwoods types of hunts to true western whitetail riverbottom hunts, where you might also see mulies or elk, there is a surprising amount of habitat diversity in North Dakota. It's just a fun state with a fairly consistent herd, lots of land to roam around on, and the chance at a really good one no matter where you're at." - Tony Peterson

Deer Population Estimate: 130,000Public Lands: 2.1 million acres or 5% of the state’s landAvg. Annual Antlered Bucks Harvest: 22,857Avg. Annual Antlerless Harvest: 14,003Bucks Harvested Per 100 Hunters: 19Deer Tag Price: $35 resident, $355 nonresident

Michigan

“My pick is Michigan, and the reasons might surprise you. No, Michigan is not the best state to visit if you want a slam-dunk chance at killing a giant buck. But if you want a true whitetail cultural experience, this state cannot be beat.

Opening day here is akin to a national holiday, roadside box blinds and ladder stands are more commonly seen than billboards, and the buck poles -holy wah- if you haven't been to a Michigan buck pole, you haven't quite yet lived. Not only that, but we've got a pile of deer in the state, plentiful public lands in most regions, and so many other hunters that you'll never have to fear being lonely, lost, or lacking for a deer-dragging partner. Finally, the Great Lakes state has produced some of our nation's most noted hunters. Folks like Fred Bear, Ted Nugent, John Eberhart, Andy May, and, of course, Steve Rinella and Janis Putelis! I dare you to disagree.” - Mark Kenyon

Deer Population Estimate: 2 MillionPublic Lands: 816,000 acres or about 22% of the state’s landAvg. Annual Antlered Bucks Harvest: 218,500Avg. Annual Antlerless Harvest:164,379Bucks Harvested Per 100 Hunters: 38Deer Tag Price: $40 resident, $190 nonresident

(Harvest data via theNational 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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