Best Whitetail State: Wisconsin vs. Michigan (Final Round)

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!

It's the final round, and whitetail roots run deep in these two midwestern states. Michigan and Wisconsin are both saturated with deer hunting culture. But which will claim the crown? You decide!

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 MillionPublic Lands: 6.6 million acres
Avg. Annual Antlered Bucks Harvest: 153,678Avg. Annual Antlerless Harvest:165,389Bucks Harvested Per 100 Hunters: 27Tag Price: $24 resident, $200 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: 4.6 million acresAvg. 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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