Top Spots for the Best Hunting in the US

Looking for the best hunting in the US? This guide takes you through the top places, from Alaska’s big game to Texas’s diverse hunting. I will cover the unique challenges and what makes each place special.

Alaska’s Big Game

Alaska, the Last Frontier, is big game hunter’s paradise. The state’s vast wilderness is home to some of the largest game animals in North America, the Alaska Yukon Moose can weigh over 1,800 pounds. The thrill and adventure of hunting in Alaska is unmatched, you can hunt caribou, brown bear and Dall sheep.

The caribou hunting season in Alaska spans from early August to the end of December, offering ample time to plan your adventure. Guided hunting is required for specific species, including nonresident hunters of brown bear, Dall sheep, and mountain goat. This requirement helps hunters navigate the often harsh and unpredictable conditions of the Alaskan wilderness.

Unguided hunters in Alaska face unique challenges, from rapidly changing weather conditions to the hard task of meat-packing and the ever-present threat of bears. For those who are up to the challenge, Alaska offers a wonderful hunting experience that is both thrilling and rewarding.

Whitetail Deer Hunting in the Heartland

The heartland of America is whitetail deer hunter’s paradise. States like Illinois and Iowa have large populations of trophy whitetails due to great deer management. These states have become synonymous with successful deer hunts and hunters come from all over the country.

Iowa’s Deer Exchange Program connects hunters with residents who need venison. This program not only helps the local community but also brings hunters together. And the Help Us Stop Hunger (HUSH) program in Iowa allows hunters to donate their harvested deer to feed the hungry.

Iowa and Illinois have seasons designed to maximize whitetail deer harvests. These managed seasons give hunters the best chance of success and healthy deer populations. The heartland is the top spot to get a trophy whitetail.

Elk Hunting in the Northern Rockies

The Northern Rockies with their rugged terrain and beautiful country offer some of the best elk hunting in the country. Montana’s Missouri Breaks is a top elk hunting location, known for its elk habitat and elk population. The east central part of Montana along the Missouri River is elk heaven.

Elk hunting in the Northern Rockies is about the entire adventure, not just the hunt itself. Setting up camp in the remote wilderness and tracking these majestic animals through the mountains fills every moment with excitement and anticipation. The thrill of hearing a bull elk bugle in the crisp morning air is an experience that stays with you long after the hunt is over.

The Northern Rockies is the ultimate elk hunting adventure for many hunters. Tough terrain, lots of wildlife and beautiful country makes this a must see for any serious elk hunter.

Diverse Hunting Opportunities in Texas

In Texas everything is bigger. Texas has over one million acres of public land managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and offers a wide range of hunting opportunities. Whether you’re after white-tailed deer, wild turkey or feral hogs there’s something for every hunter in the Lone Star State.

The Annual Public Hunting Permit gives you access to almost year round hunting in Texas. This permit opens up a world of possibilities from dove hunting on vast desert land to chasing one of the three species of wild turkey in the state: Rio Grande, Eastern and Merriam’s.

The variety of game and extensive public lands make Texas a hunter’s paradise. Texas offers an abundance of hunting opportunities for both seasoned hunters and beginners, ensuring an unforgettable experience.

Unique Hunts in Florida

Florida has some of the most unique hunting in the country. Where else can you hunt alligators and feral hogs in the same state? Each year about 7,000 permits are issued for alligator hunting so if you get one of those you’ll have a real adventure.

Alligator hunting requires permits and is an adrenaline rush navigating Florida’s swamps and waterways. Feral hog hunting is permitted year round with landowner consent and no hunting license required. So Florida is a great destination for hunters looking for a unique adventure.

Wild hogs can also be trapped but must be released on private land with permission. Florida has diverse wildlife and unique hunting opportunities so it’s a hunting destination like no other.

Upland Bird Hunting in Arizona

Arizona is famous for upland bird hunting and quail. The quail trifecta—Gambel’s, scaled and Mearns’ quail—each offer a different hunting experience. Gambel’s quail are found in open desert country across Arizona while scaled quail (also known as blue quail) are in the eastern part of the state.

Mearns’ quail are found in the lower elevations of southern Arizona and offer a different kind of challenge for upland bird hunters. The season for these quail is October to February with specific dates for each. You can bag up to 15 quail a day but only 8 of those can be Mearns’ quail.

Arizona also has chukar at elevations between 5,000 and 9,000 feet for those looking to add some variety to their upland hunting. Arizona has diverse landscapes and plenty of upland birds so it’s a top destination for bird hunters.

Wyoming Trophy Hunting

Wyoming, with its abundant populations of mule deer and pronghorn antelope, is a premier destination for trophy hunting. With an estimated 396,000 mule deer and about 388,500 pronghorn antelope, Wyoming offers hunters the opportunity to bag impressive trophies.

The state’s vast, open landscapes provide an ideal backdrop for a challenging and rewarding hunt. Pursuing mule deer in the rugged mountains or tracking pronghorn antelope across the plains, Wyoming’s diverse terrain ensures a unique hunting experience. For trophy hunters, the draw of Wyoming’s game animals is hard to resist.

Wyoming’s reputation as a top trophy hunting destination is well-deserved. Abundant game, stunning landscapes, and challenging hunts make it a must-visit for any serious hunter.

Waterfowl Hunting Hotspots

Stuttgart, Arkansas is known as the Duck Hunting Capital of the World for waterfowl hunting. Located on the Mississippi Flyway, Stuttgart’s unique habitat funnels migratory ducks to the refuges in the South so it’s a waterfowl hunter’s paradise.

The Prairie Pothole Region has millions of shallow depressions and supports huge populations of breeding waterfowl. This region has some of the best waterfowl hunting in the country with national wildlife refuges providing critical habitat for ducks and other waterfowl.

Bottomland hardwood forests in floodplains also provide wetlands for waterfowl. These diverse habitats make the US a unique place for waterfowl hunting and gives hunters a variety of environments and species to hunt.

East Black Bear Hunts

Black bear hunting in the East is a different kind of challenge and fun. Arkansas and North Carolina have healthy black bear populations so they’re great places to hunt bears. In Arkansas, you can hunt black bears in spring and fall seasons with different regulations for each.

North Carolina’s fall season runs from August to December so there’s plenty of time to get a black bear. Baiting is not allowed for black bear in Arkansas and the daily bag limit is one bear during the season.

For a tough and fun hunt the black bears in Arkansas and North Carolina are great. The dense forests and diverse terrain of these states is the perfect place for a hunt to remember.

Multi-Species Hunts in Idaho

Idaho is a hunter’s dream with the opportunity to hunt multiple species in one trip. The state has a large elk population estimated at 120,000 with over 20,000 elk harvested per season so it’s one of the top elk hunting destinations.

But that’s not all. Idaho’s diverse terrain and abundant wildlife allows you to hunt multiple species; mule deer, whitetail deer and bighorn sheep. The fun of planning a multi-species hunt and the possibility of harvesting multiple animals makes Idaho a must see for any hunter.

If you want to hunt more Idaho’s got it. The state’s wildlife and terrain has endless possibilities for a hunt to remember.

New to Hunting?

If you’re new to this whole thing, and need some beginner tips, here’s a great guide on how to choose your first rifle. And for those, who are worried it can be complicated, I recommend reading about how to start hunting as an adult.