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Find out how deer season is shaping up in your state. John Hafner

Here's our state-by-state breakdown of deer hunting conditions and hotspots for the 2022 season

The post Deer Hunting Season 2022 Forecast: A State-by-State Guide appeared first on Outdoor Life.

                   

Find out how deer season is shaping up in your state. John Hafner

Most hardcore deer hunters began planning for this deer hunting season the moment the last one ended. We went shed hunting, scouted new ground, tweaked trail camera placement, prepped new food plots, and fine-tuned our shooting at the bow range. And now, the 2022 season is almost here, but what will it hold?

It’s a mixed bag across deer country. Some Western states are struggling with severe drought conditions, wildfires, and declining mule deer herds. Some states in the Midwest and East are dealing with Chronic Wasting Disease and epizootic hemorrhagic disease. But in many other places, deer populations continue to climb, the overall harvest includes more mature bucks (and fewer yearlings), and there’s plenty of accessible land to hunt.

So check out these state-by-state reports to to get an idea of what the deer hunting season forecast is where you hunt.

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Alabama

Species: Whitetail

Estimated population: 1.25 million

Fall 2021-22 harvest: 186,417 reported through Game Check; total estimated harvest will be generated after summer phone surveys.

Overall outlook: Chris Cook, deer program coordinator for the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, said everything looks good for the 2022 season. Deer are abundant throughout the state, and the age structure of bucks in the annual harvest seems to be increasing.

Where to Hunt Deer in Alabama

Cook said northwestern Alabama is always a good bet, considering the quality and quantity of deer harvested there. Black Warrior WMA, in Lawrence County, offers the chance to kill a buck earlier — mid- to late-November — as deer there rut earlier than in other areas of the state. Alabama’s southernmost counties are also worth a look, Cook said. Barbour Wildlife Management Area, in Barbour and Bullock counties, covers more than 29,000 acres, and offers good opportunities for mature bucks in January, before and during the peak of breeding.

Cook said hunters should check out Alabama’s Deer Rut Map at outdooralabama.c** to help plan hunting efforts. Hunters willing to travel can hunt the rut on Alabama’s WMAs from mid-November through early February. Find season dates and bag limits here.

Alaska

Species: Sitka black-tailed deer; some mule deer have been sighted from the eastern interior to northern southeastern Alaska.

Estimated population: Not available. Blacktail populations fluctuate considerably based on winter severity.

Fall 2021-22 harvest: 17,678

Overall outlook: “The deer forecast for the Kodiak Archipelago for the upco*ing season looks decent,” said Nathan Svoboda, area wildlife biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Kodiak Island. “We did not observe any major mortality events last winter, and although some areas of the island are still recovering from the winter of 2019, the population overall has recovered well, and we anticipate a good quality deer hunt this fall.”

Charlotte Westing, Prince William Sound area wildlife biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, said 2022 pellet surveys there indicate medium deer densities. The population might have declined somewhat from 2021, but not catastrophically.

Where to Hunt Deer in Alaska

Unit 4Z saw the highest blacktail harvest in 2021, with 6,579 animals. 8Z on Kodiak Island was second with 4,797. Most of Kodiak Island is public (Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge) and accessible by plane or boat.

“Be bear aware at all times, and never drag your game,” Svoboda said. Find season dates and bag limits here.

Arizona

Species: Mule deer and Coues deer

Estimated population: 95,000 Coues, 105,000 mule deer

Fall 2021-22 harvest: Estimated 7,379 Coues bucks; estimated 6,869 mule deer

Overall outlook: Dustin Darveau, terrestrial wildlife specialist with the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Game Program, said Arizona is still experiencing the effects of long-term drought throughout most of the state, so fawn recruitment and general overall nutrition have decreased. The state has endured large-scale wildfires the past several years. Some of those will benefit wildlife as vegetation recovers, if timely rains follow and don’t cause major flooding events. Other areas have experienced high burn severity and will take much longer to recover.

Where to Hunt Deer in Arizona

Darveau said the northern and eastern regions of Arizona have remained fairly stable, although it can be difficult to receive tags for those areas during the draw. Coues deer are most co*mon in Arizona’s southeastern mountains. Game management units 12A/12B and 13A/13B in the northern part of the state have reputations for producing mature mule deer. Arizona has about 9.6 million acres of state land and 30.3 million acres of federal land.

“With low densities of deer throughout much of the state, one of the most important skills to hunt deer in Arizona is to develop solid glassing skills with the best optics you can afford,” Darveau said. “Understanding the habitat needs of the species of interest is also highly beneficial. Several resources can be found on the department’s website.” Find season dates and bag limits here.

Arkansas

Species: Whitetail

Estimated population: 900,000 to 1 million

Fall 2021-22 harvest: 181,064

Overall outlook: “The population is stable overall, even though the 2021-22 deer season harvest was a 13-year low,” said Ralph Meeker, deer program coordinator for the Arkansas Game and Fish co*mission. “However, the 2020-21 season set the all-time record deer harvest for Arkansas, at 216,835. The percentage of older bucks harvested still remains high, with greater than 65 percent of bucks harvested being 3.5 years old or older.”

Where to Hunt Deer in Arkansas

The Ozark Mountains, in northern Arkansas are always promising. Good public areas there include the sprawling Ozark National Forest (about 1.16 million acres) and Wedington WMA, which covers almost 16,000 acres in Benton County. The Mississippi Alluvial Valley, which covers much of eastern Arkansas, is also good. Public areas there include Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA, which consists of about 17,000 acres of prime bottomland hardwoods in White County, and Freddie Black Choctaw Island WMA, which covers about 7,580 acres in Desha County.

“Deer movement and subsequent deer harvest is highly dependent on the availability of hard mast,” Meeker said. “Finding good food sources in close proximity to cover and travel corridors is important.” Find season dates and bag limits here .

California

Species: mule deer and Columbian black-tailed deer (northern coastal region)

Estimated population: 450,000 to 500,000 (all deer)

Fall 2021-22 harvest: 31,986

Overall outlook: Julie Garcia, with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Deer Management Program, said that although deer herds experience annual increases and declines across the state, the overall population trends remain stable. She added that 2022 could be a challenge for hunters because of continuing drought conditions, and current and expected future wildfires in many premium zones.

Where to Hunt Deer in California

Garcia said the zones B1 through B6, which essentially cover the far northwestern corner of California, look promising. According to Hunting Deer in California, written by John Higley much of the northwestern region can be classified as part of the Coastal Rain Forest Province.

“This is a lush, forested area with redwoods, Douglas fir, mixed evergreens and oaks toward the interior,” he wrote. “Timber blankets the slopes of interior mountains, eventually giving way to rugged, rocky alpine ridges in higher elevations. Black-tailed deer reign supreme throughout this part of the state, which extends roughly from the brushy foothills near Interstate 5 west to the Pacific Ocean.”

Depending on where you are in the B zones, you can hunt wilderness areas, accessible national forest lands — including the Mendocino, Six Rivers, Klamath and Shasta-Trinity National Forests.

“Keep your hunting spots flexible this year, and visit the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management websites for land access closures due to wildfire in your hunt area,” Garcia said. Find season dates and bag limits here.

Colorado

Species: mule deer and whitetail deer

Estimated population: 416,426 total deer

Fall 2021-22 harvest: 40,561 total deer

Overall outlook: Bradley Gabrielski, Colorado Parks and Wildlife co*munications center wildlife coordinator, said prospects for 2022 look good. Deer populations in many regions have increased to objectives or even exceeded them in some areas. Several external factors could influence that, but with strict regulations on license quotas and biological research, the state can help keep populations flourishing.

Where to Hunt Deer in Colorado

Gabrielski said the Lower Yampa Region in northwestern Colorado has a large deer population — about 75,120 — across a vast area. Mountain shrubs and pinyon junipers provide strong habitat for deer and relatively easier navigation because of the high alpine plains environment, which isn’t as filled with heavy, dark timber. Mountain shrub and pinyon-juniper breaks will hold the most deer. Focus points along the southern portions of the region include the Danforth Hills for early rifle seasons and the Axial Basin and adjacent Bureau of Land Management land for later seasons.

The Middle Park Region, in north-central Colorado, is another promising area. It has a deer population estimate of 16,670, which is currently higher than the objective.

“This area had a large amount of mountain pine beetle infestation, which has caused downed timber throughout, but enough time has passed that fresh vegetation has (taken) hold and provided proper habitat and food sources for the deer in the area,” Gabrielski said. “The buck-to-doe ratio in Middle Park has stayed relatively steady with 40 bucks to 100 does. Hunters would want to focus on transition zones that have aspen, shrub and coniferous cover in this region to find some of the best opportunities. The proximity of this region to the Front Range and some of the larger human populations in the state does cause some heavy hunting pressure in areas, but there is still plenty of terrain that’s suitable for hunting. Deer will tend to move west and down in elevation over the seasons throughout this range.”

“Weather is crucial,” Gabrielski said. “Many of our big-game hunting opportunities will take place in the fall and winter months. The volatility of the weather during that time will have a profound influence on where the animals are going to be. Strong sustained periods of snow can push animals deeper into valleys, while warmer weather can keep them in heavy dark timber at higher elevations. Preparing for inclement weather, as well as understanding how to navigate this terrain, can be essential when dealing with the elements.” Find season dates and bag limits here.

Connecticut

Species: Whitetail

Estimated population: 115,000

Fall 2021-22 harvest: 8,971

Overall outlook: Andrew LaBonte, wildlife biologist with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, said the state’s overall harvest has declined because of decreasing firearms permit issuance and poor weather the past few years. Early drought conditions in 2022 could further affect the population and harvest opportunities, as epizootic hemorrhagic disease is possible on more of a widespread scale than previously if conditions persist. For the past three years, yearling bucks co*prised only 34 percent of the firearms harvest, which indicates very low hunting pressure.

“Eight-point bucks have remained the most frequent point category the past four years,” he said.

Where to Hunt Deer in Connecticut

LaBonte said Fairfield County (DMZ 11), in southwestern Connecticut, and the Connecticut shoreline (DMZ 12), on the southern coast, have been the best places to hunt for the past 20 years. The area has had the highest deer densities and most liberal hunting seasons, allowing the use bait, letting hunters obtain replacement tags and featuring an extended January archery season. However, gaining access to private land there can be difficult, and deer populations are not as high as in previous years.

In 2021, 25 public areas exceeded harvests of 10 deer per square mile. Some of those properties are very small, but others are larger. Many are bowhunting-only properties and can be found in Connecticut Deer Program Summary, which co*es out in mid-August and can be found at the CT DEEP website. Find season dates and bag limits here.

Delaware

Species: Whitetail

Estimated population: 31,071 (post-2021 season)

Fall 2021-22 harvest: 15,383

Overall outlook: Sam Millman, deer biologist with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, said harvest totals for the state’s archery, muzzleloader, and shotgun seasons continue to increase. Because of COVID-19 concerns, biologists have not collected data on the herd’s age and se* ratios.

Where to Hunt Deer in Delaware

Millman saidSusse* County, the southernmost Delaware county, is the state’s deer hunting hotspot, with 8,622 harvested in 2021. However, the C and D Canal Conservation Area in New Castle County to the north had the highest deer harvest of any public Delaware wildlife area. Zone 11, which enco*passes Old Furnace Wildlife Area, has the highest harvest of the state’s 18 wildlife management zones.

“When you think you’ve walked far enough to set up your hunting site, go deeper and farther,” Millman said. “I’ve seen a lot of hunters edge-hunt deer habitats. If you are looking for that special trophy buck, don’t expect him to walk out of his home too often. If you want a shot at the big buck, you’ll have to hike into the center of his home to find him.” Find season dates and bag limits here.

Florida

Species: Whitetail

Estimated population: no estimate

Fall 2021-22 harvest: 74,098

Overall outlook: “Though there are fluctuations at local levels, the statewide population is stable,” said Cory Morea, deer management program coordinator with the Florida Fish and Wildlife co*mission. “Data about the impact of … deer antler-point regulations suggest progress is being made in an area important to most deer hunters: more opportunities to see and harvest mature antlered deer.”

Morea said information from more than 40 wildlife management areas indicated a 23 percent decrease in the harvest of 1.5-year-old bucks since antler-point restrictions took effect in 2014 and 2015. During that period, the average number of antler points increased 22 percent, from 4.9 to 6.0. Statewide, the average number of points increased to 6.7. Also, the antler index, which expresses antler quality, increased 20 percent.

Where to Hunt Deer Hunt in Florida

Areas in northern and central Florida typically maintain higher-quality deer habitat.The Tate’s Hell-St. James Island Unit, an 8,182-acre property in Franklin County, in northwestern Florida, has been added to the state’s 6-million-acre WMA system, and the FWC, in cooperation with the Florida Forest Service, is offering quota permit deer hunting there. Three Lakes WMA, in Osceola County near Lake Kissimmee, covers about 62,000 acres and is also a popular destination. Use FWC’s WMA Finder tool to search for WMAs by location, season, species and type of hunt. Find season dates and bag limits here.

Georgia

Species: Whitetail

Estimated population: about 1 million

Fall 2020-21 harvest: 257,441

Overall outlook: Charlie Killmaster, state deer biologist with Georgia’s Wildlife Resources Division, said the state’s deer population is stable. About 42 percent of bucks taken during 2021-22 were 3.5 years old or older.

Where to Hunt Deer in Georgia

The best bucks typically co*e from southwestern Georgia and the north metro Atlanta counties, including Fulton County, where lower hunting pressure lets bucks reach older ages. Top southwestern counties include Colquitt, Dooly, Macon, Worth, and Dougherty. In eastern Georgia, the 6,324-acre Canoochee Sandhills WMA is an option. It features sandhills, flatwoods, bay swamps, and floodplain forests.

Quick tip: “The rut in Georgia ranges from October to late December, so from the beginning of deer season to the end, there is peak rut somewhere in the state,” Killmaster said. “Savvy hunters can cross-check the rut map with WMA locations and hunt the rut nearly all season long.” Find season dates and bag limits here.

Idaho

Species: Mule deer and whitetail deer

Estimated population: 250,000 to 360,000 mule deer; the state does not estimate whitetail numbers

Fall 2021-22 harvest: 24,809 mule deer; 24,849 whitetails

Overall outlook: Rick Ward, deer and elk coordinator for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, said the statewide outlook for muleys is improving, and is fair to good, depending on the area.

“Overwinter survival of radio-collared mule deer fawns was above the long-term average for the last two winters, thanks to mild conditions,” he said. “That means more yearling bucks available to hunters in the fall. Idaho also saw areas of very high fawn production last year, as indicated by December herd co*position surveys. Some areas had more than 90 fawns per 100 does — well above the long-term average. However, mule deer populations in eastern and west-central Idaho have not fully recovered to 2016 levels after the extreme winter of 2016-2017.”

Whitetail harvest hit an all-time high in 2015, which indicated a growing population. For the past five years, the harvest has been steady but has averaged about 82 percent of the 2015 mark.

“A mild 2020-2021 winter in northern Idaho, where the bulk of the whitetail deer live, bodes well for survival and hunting opportunity this fall as well,” Ward said.

Where to Hunt Deer in Idaho

As Ward mentioned, northern Idaho is the place to go for whitetails. They’re most abundant in hunting units 1 through 21, north of the Salmon River. Public land — including several national forests — abounds. Hunters in northern Idaho enjoyed success rates of 45 to 50 percent the past few years, and 2022 shouldn’t be different.

Some southern Idaho mule deer populations have yet to recover from heavy snowfall in 2016-2017 and hunter success in those areas has been mediocre. West-central game-management units have seen slower recovery rates than those in eastern Idaho.

“Mule deer bucks will likely be on (their) summer range for much of the rifle season unless we get early snow, and whitetails aren’t heavy migrators, so patterning deer in late summer can be very helpful when hunting seasons roll around,” Ward said. Find season dates and bag limits here.

Illinois

Species: Whitetail

Estimated population: no estimate

Fall 2021-22 harvest: 162,752

Overall outlook: “The 2022 to 2023 Illinois deer season is shaping up to be another strong year, with 107 total days of deer hunting opportunity,” said Peter Schlichting, deer project manager with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. “Weather conditions are fair except for areas currently experiencing near-drought or drought conditions, which may influence deer behavior and body condition. The rut, which typically peaks around Nov. 14, will primarily fall during archery season, but firearm hunters can expect rutting behavior to still be occurring during the first firearm season (Nov. 18 through 20). Harvest and relative abundance trends suggest a stable population statewide. The percentage of adult bucks (older than 2.5 years) in the harvest was 64.4 percent in 2021 to 2022, and this percentage has increased every year since 2013, suggesting an improving age structure.”

Where to Hunt Deer in Illinois

The entire state produces good bucks, but the central and northern counties seem to be best. In central Illinois, hunters can take advantage of abundant public land along the Illinois River, including Anderson Lake, Banner Marsh, Sand Ridge State Forest and Sanganois State Fish and Wildlife Area. In northern Illinois, Redwing Slough Lake has been opened to youth hunters.

“If drought conditions persist into deer seasons, hunters should keep this in mind and set up accordingly,” Schlichting said. Find season dates and bag limits here.

Indiana

Species: Whitetail

Estimated population: No estimate

Fall 2021-22 harvest: 112,481

Overall outlook: Joe N. Caudell, state deer research biologist with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Fish and Wildlife, said prospects for this fall look solid.

“For the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 hunting seasons, hunters from Indiana have recorded more Boone and Crockett bucks than from any other state, and (Indiana) has been one of the top producers for a decade,” he said. “We do not see that trend declining any time soon. Along with that trend, the percentage of harvested older-age bucks has been steadily increasing over the past few decades, and we do not see that trend changing in the near future.” Check out the recent Outdoor Life feature on how Indiana is now the top trophy whitetail state in the country.

Where to Hunt Deer in Indiana

Caudell said the two northern corners of Indiana have some of the highest deer densities in the state. Because those regions have a high quantity and quality of food, they also produce large bucks. Pigeon River Fish and Wildlife Area in LaGrange County, in northeastern Indiana, has some of the highest harvests in the state for public property. In northwestern Indiana, Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area, in Newton County, offers excellent public hunting for deer.

Hunters can view a rut timing map here and the season dates and bag limits here.

Iowa

Species: Whitetail

Estimated population: No estimate

Fall 2021-22 harvest: About 102,800

Overall outlook: “Overall, population trends in Iowa indicate a stable to slightly increasing population,” said Jace Elliott, deer research specialist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. “We don’t estimate age structure, but the opportunities to harvest a mature buck throughout the state of Iowa remain very high. We believe Iowa provides one of the best whitetail deer hunting experiences in the country.”

Where to Hunt Deer in Iowa

Elliott said northeastern, central and southern Iowa have historically been deer strongholds for numbers and quality. “As expected, public land pressure tends to decrease as distance from our state’s urban areas increases,” he said.

Clayton and Allamakee counties, which border the Mississippi River in northeastern Iowa, were the top two harvest counties in 2021-2022. Both have several wildlife management areas. In Clayton, check out North Cedar/SNY Magill, a 1,904-acre property consisting mostly of timber. In Allamakee, Lansing WMA covers about 2,310 acres, three-quarters of which are timber and one-quarter upland habitat. Madison County, southwest of Des Moines, was number three for harvest in 2021-2022. Promising WMAs there include Heritage Hills, which covers about 660 acres of upland and timber, and Badger Creek, a 975-acre piece that’s three-quarters upland habitat.

Hunters can check Iowa’s online public hunting atlas, which shows the location and information about public properties across the state. Find season dates and bag limits here.

Kansas

Species: Whitetail (statewide) and mule deer (western half)

Estimated population: 735,680 whitetails, 40,102 mule deer

Fall 2021-22 harvest: 74,348 whitetails, 1,578 mule deer

Overall outlook: Levi Jaster, big-game program coordinator for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, said deer numbers have increased in eastern Kansas and decreased in western Kansas.

“CWD continues to be a big issue in Kansas, with increasing prevalence in western Kansas affecting deer populations and initial detections in new counties in eastern Kansas, including some near the Kansas-Missouri boarder,” he said. “Generally, outside of northwestern Kansas deer management units, buck-to-doe ratios and adult-buck-to-yearling-buck rations are average or above average.”

Where to Hunt Deer in Kansas

Hunters in southeastern Kansas should see more deer this season, Jaster said. The area features good public spots, and hunters shouldn’t forget about Walk-In Hunting program properties, which are private lands leased by the state to allow public access for hunting. If you’re interested in mule deer, Region 3, in southwestern Kansas, has about 25 wildlife areas, with ample room to roam.

Nonresident applications were up again in 2022, Jaster said, setting a new record at 29,973. The lower draw odds means that some guides and outfitters might have unexpected openings, so hunters who received a tag might consider contacting those services, as it might not be too late to book. Read more: Will Kansas Beco*e a Preference Point State for Whitetails? Find season dates and bag limits here.

Kentucky

Species: Whitetail

Estimated population: 919,308 (before 2021 season)

Fall 2021-22 harvest: 132,328

Overall outlook: “Here in Kentucky, we have a phenomenal deer population across the state,” said Kyle Sams, deer and elk program biologist with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. “Hunters have ample opportunity to harvest a deer of their choosing with varying weapon types. I would expect the overall harvest to be better than last year, as we had some very unusual and prolonged warm weather during key times of the harvest [last year].”

Sams said about 70 percent of bucks taken in Kentucky are adults. He attributed that to the state’s one-buck limit, adding that most Kentucky hunters let young bucks walk.

Where to Hunt Deer in Kentucky

Sams said hunters should check out the Purchase and Green River regions, in western Kentucky. Green River is typically the best area because it has great habitat and high deer numbers, but the Purchase region also has good populations. In the Green River region, promising spots include 7,574-acre Big Rivers WMA, and 5,446-acre Higginson and Henry WMA, both of which have special restrictions. In the Purchase region, check out Ballard WMA, which covers 8,014 acres and also has special restrictions. Review the state’s hunting guide before planning trips to the properties.

“Hunters should try to do their homework before going afield,” Sams said. “That homework would include, at the very least, scouting the area well in advance of hunting it.”Find the season dates and bag limits here.

Louisiana

Species: Whitetail

Estimated population: minimum 500,000 (will likely be revised)

Fall 2021-22 harvest: 233,400

Overall outlook: Johnathan Bordelon, deer program manager for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, is upbeat about the 2022 season. Louisiana hunters kill a high percentage of mature bucks. On private land, 84 percent of bucks taken are 2.5 years old or older, and 41 percent are 4.5 or older. That harvest age structure has been stable in recent years and will likely continue this year.

Where to Hunt Deer in Louisiana

Bordelon said the northeastern portion of the state has the highest harvest per forested acre, and wildlife management areas and national wildlife refuges in the region produce some of the largest public-land bucks in Louisiana. Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge, near Tallulah, covers more than 64,000 acres. Hunters can also find good opportunities across northwestern Louisiana. In fact, harvest success rates at some western Louisiana wildlife management areas are the best in the state. In general, areas in western Louisiana have an earlier rut than the areas to the east. That wide range of breeding dates lets hunters pursue rutting deer from October through January, depending on the region.

Bordelon encouraged hunters to take advantage of the state’s diverse breeding chronology. LDWF has maps that reflect peak breeding for the state. Find season dates and bag limits here.

Maine

Species: Whitetail

Estimated population: about 315,000 to 320,000

Fall 2021-22 harvest: 38,947

Overall outlook: “Central and southern Maine deer populations continue to grow, and we have made some significant changes to our antlerless deer permit system to improve our ability to meet doe harvest objectives,” said Nathan R. Bieber, deer specialist with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. “Populations in northern, western and Down East Maine are lower and more cyclical, with winter conditions having a big impact on local deer numbers. In 2021, we started messaging about voluntarily passing on young bucks to help improve advanced age structure.”

Where to Hunt Deer in Maine

Bieber said many of Maine’s coastal islands support good deer populations, see very little hunting pressure and are part of the expanded archery program, which offers archery hunting from early September through early December. “It’s worth a trip if you have the time and effort to invest,” he said.

Also, the state has started acquiring land in northern Maine to manage for wintering deer, so there will be new wildlife management areas open to public hunting there in the future.

“In Maine, you can legally hunt on private land if it’s not posted,” Bieber said. “It’s always the best practice to ask for permission, but this does mean you can have a lot of land at your disposal if you are willing to do some homework and make some connections.”

“Edge habitat, where habitat changes from one type to another, is always a good place to start your scouting, but with most of Maine covered in forest, it can seem hard to find,” Bieber said. “Remember that edge doesn’t just mean where a field meets the forest. It can be an area where hardwoods meet a wetland, flat land meets a slope or older growth meets younger growth.” Find season dates and bag limits here.

Maryland

Species: Whitetail and sika deer

Estimated population: 231,000

Fall 2021-22 harvest: 67,445 whitetails, 3,400 sika deer

Overall outlook: Brian Eyler, game mammal section leader with Maryland Department of Natural Resources, said Maryland’s deer population remains stable and offers great opportunities for resident and nonresident hunters.

Where to Hunt Deer in Maryland

Eyler said the western part of the state, in the Appalachian Mountains, offers more traditional mountain deer hunting and large expanses of public lands, including state forests and wildlife management areas. Eastern Maryland, near Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, features more flat-land hunting, with woods interspersed with agriculture. The biggest whitetails co*e from this area. Also, the lower Eastern Shore, particularly Dorchester County, offers the chance for a sika deer.

“As always, concentrate on finding deer sign and natural foods — acorns and other mast — and hunt those areas,” Eyler said. “Try not to rely on bait. If possible, have multiple stand locations to hunt from based on the current wind conditions.” Find season dates and bag limits here.

Massachusetts

Species: Whitetail

Estimated population: 125,000

Fall 2021-22 harvest: 13,366

Overall outlook: Martin Feehan, deer and moose project leader with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, said deer abundance across the state is generally increasing, with about half of the state within the management goal density of 12 to 18 deer per square mile and half higher than that.

Where to Hunt Deer in Massachusetts

Zones 13 and 14, which are Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, respectively, have the state’s highest deer densities and provide the best opportunities for harvesting several deer.

“Participating in a deer drive on Nantucket (Zone 14) should be a bucket-list hunt for any avid deer hunter,” Feehan said. “There are incredible sight lines across the scrub oak savannahs, and there are very few places as beautiful and unique to hunt whitetail deer. Nantucket bucks also have some of the most unique antler formations around, often looking like crowns. There are many open public hunting areas there, including some of the best on Nantucket Conservation Foundation lands.”

Hunters seeking a more rustic experience for big bucks should consider zones 1 through 3, which include the Berkshires. The region has habitat similar to the Adirondacks but higher deer densities. Feehan said the area also features many great places to stay and abundant wildlife management areas.

“As deer densities increase in suburban areas across the country, the hunters that make the effort to contact landowners to access deer will often be rewarded,” Feehan said. Find season dates and bag limits here.

Michigan

Species: Whitetail

Estimated population: No estimate

Fall 2021-22 harvest: 395,059

Overall outlook: “We have been experiencing high harvest levels with declining hunter numbers, indicating a stable to increasing population in many parts of the state,” said Chad Stewart, deer, elk and moose management specialist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “With fewer hunter numbers, we expect more bucks to continue to make it through deer seasons, leading to improvement in age structure and rack development.”

Where to Hunt Deer in Michigan

The southern Lower Peninsula, which is dominated by agriculture and experiences mild winters, has good deer numbers, and bucks there typically have better developed antlers, thanks to the high-quality habitat. Stewart said hunters might want to check out Oakland County, especially for an opportunity to hunt late-winter deer during the extended January archery season.

The western portion of the northern Lower Peninsula has antler point restrictions. “If you don’t mind hunting under those requirements, you are likely to see plenty of 2.5-year-old and older bucks running around,” Stewart said.

Hunters seeking a truly remote experience can explore public land in Keweenaw County, at the top of the Upper Peninsula, which holds some great deer and sees little hunting pressure.

“Just be prepared, because winter can arrive fast and furious,” Stewart said. “Knowing where deer are bedding, traveling and feeding throughout fall, as well as predominant wind directions, can give you the advantage you need,” Stewart said. Find season dates and bag limits here.

Minnesota

Species: Whitetail

Estimated population: No estimate

Fall 2021-22 harvest: 184,698

Overall outlook: Barbara Keller, big-game program leader for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, said deer populations are stable to increasing in the northwestern, central, southwestern and southeastern parts of the state. The severe winter of 2021-2022 has likely affected populations in northeastern and north-central Minnesota, which will probably maintain the already low deer densities there. Read Outdoor Life’s recent feature on declining deer populations in the North Woods.

Where to Hunt Deer in Minnesota

Southeastern Minnesota has long been a hotspot for deer hunters, as the area’s topography often lets bucks grow older. Whitewater WMA, which has three units, remains a popular destination. Lac Qui Parle County, which borders South Dakota in southwestern Minnesota, is known primarily for waterfowl but features many wildlife management areas that hold plenty of deer.

Quick tip: “The early antlerless season, which occurs Oct. 20 through 23, is an excellent opportunity for hunters to get out early in the season and help balance se* ratios ahead of the breeding season,” Keller said. “This season is only implemented in areas of the state that are above population goals, so be sure the check if it is open in the area you hunt.” Find season dates and bag limits here.

Mississippi

Species: Whitetail

Estimated population: 1.47 million (2020 estimate)

Fall 2021-22 harvest: Not yet available

Overall outlook: “The statewide population appears healthy,” said Kamen Campbell, assistant deer coordinator with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. “The harvest has reached levels in recent years not seen in nearly two decades. Mississippi continues to rank in the top three nationally for the highest percent of mature bucks in the harvest. Additionally, we rank in top 10 for harvest per square mile and in the top two for number of deer harvested per hunter. While the majority of the state hosts a strong and stable deer herd, the Mississippi River counties remain at the mercy of the river. Despite the inconvenience of flooding, the river counties are blessed with some of the best soil fertility in the nation, growing some of the best deer in the state.”

Where to Hunt Deer in Mississippi

Campbell said the state’s wildlife management areas are so popular that MDWFP implemented draw-hunt opportunities for parts or all of the season to ensure proper management and good hunting opportunities.

The state’s South Delta wildlife management areas have experienced major flooding in recent years, and although that did limit opportunity, it also increased the forage in the region. “Our South Delta WMAs are likely to produce some record-quality bucks over the next couple of years,” Campbell said.

Mississippi also has several quality wildlife management areas along the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. “These places may not get the notoriety of the Mississippi Delta, but they offer large tracts of land and have less hunting pressure than some of the more popular WMAs,” Campbell said.

Campbell said this fall, Mississippi will hold its first velvet deer hunt. It runs Sept. 16 through 18, and archery hunters on private land can harvest one legal buck. The buck must be reported and tested for CWD. A special permit is required to hunt during the season, and the buck will count toward the season bag limit.

“Nonresident hunters should watch the weather forecast prior to a trip,” Campbell said. “Temperatures throughout deer season can range from 25 to 75 degrees and change every week. Additionally, those looking to hunt the rut should check out the breeding date map at MDWFP.c**/deer to see when the rut occurs where they plan to hunt. Breeding dates range from mid-November in northwestern Mississippi to early February in southeastern Mississippi.” Find season dates and bag limits here.

Missouri

Species: Whitetail

Estimated population: 1.5 million

Fall 2021-22 harvest: 295,143

Overall outlook: Jason Isabelle, cervid program supervisor for the Missouri Department of Conservation, said deer numbers across most of the state are abundant and growing. That, coupled with recent season and permit liberalizations, has biologists expecting a strong 2022 harvest.

“Although nice bucks are harvested throughout the state each year, northern Missouri generally has the greatest potential to produce larger-antlered bucks. The mixture of forest, cropland and grassland of many northern Missouri counties provides great habitat for whitetails. There is an antler-point restriction in place in many northern Missouri counties, which helps increase age structure of the buck population.”

Where to Hunt Deer in Missouri

The northeastern and northwestern parts of the state generally have the greatest potential to produce large-antlered bucks. Both regions feature several conservation areas, some of which fall under statewide regulations and others that only allow archery or muzzleloader hunting. Popular spots in northeastern Missouri include Rebel’s Cove Conservation Area, which spans about 4,224 acres, and Union Ridge Conservation Area, which covers 8,262 acres. In northwestern Missouri, Emma and Leah Seat Memorial Conservation Area covers 3,479 acres.

“Given that Missouri’s deer season spans a four-month time period, it’s important for hunters to consider the stage of the season they’re hunting in and the factors that are going to influence when and where deer will be moving during daylight hours,” Isabelle said. Find season dates and bag limits here.

Montana

Species: Mule deer and whitetails

Estimated population: 293,950 mule deer, 212,814 whitetails

Fall 2021-22 harvest: 49,856 mule deer, 44,713 whitetails

Overall outlook: Brian Wakeling, game management bureau chief with the Wildlife Division of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, said Montana’s 2021 statewide mule deer population estimate indicated a decline and was slightly lower than the 10-year average. In 2021, 60 percent of mule deer bucks harvested had at least four points on one antler, excluding brow tines. The statewide buck-to-doe ratio in 2021 post-season surveys was 27 to 100. Montana’s statewide whitetail deer estimate indicated that population was increasing and was higher than the 10-year average. The 2021 whitetail buck harvest was significantly higher than the long-term average of 23,158. In 2021, 73 percent of whitetail bucks harvested had at least four points on one antler.

Where Hunt Deer in Montana

Although numbers there appear to be declining, Region 6 (northeastern Montana) is still considered about 31 percent higher than the long-term average of mule deer counted during spring surveys.

The 2021 population estimate for northwestern Montana (Region 1) was is about 9 percent lower than the 10-year average, but the area still has the highest number of whitetails estimated (69,094) relative to other regions in Montana. The western portion of the state has many more state wildlife areas than the eastern part. Montana also has loads of federal land. Further, the state’s Block Management Program, a cooperative initiative between private landowners and FWP, helps landowners manage hunting activities and provide people with free hunting access to private land and sometimes adjacent or isolated public lands. Wakeling said hunters should beco*e familiar with Montana’s hunter access laws and regulations before a trip. Find season dates and bag limits here.

Nebraska

Species: Mule deer and whitetail deer

Estimated population: No estimate

Fall 2021-22 harvest: 44,802 whitetails, 8,575 mule deer

Overall outlook: “Parts of Nebraska took a bit of a hit from EHD in 2021, and whitetail numbers have declined in the northern half of the state,” said Luke Meduna, big-game program manager with the Nebraska Game and Parks co*mission. “Those declines vary by local area. Mule deer populations have declined over the past few years, and we reduced mule deer buck permits in many western units for 2022. Buck age structure has remained stable for the past several years, with about 22 percent of the whitetail harvest being yearling bucks and 40 percent being 3 and older. Mule deer have a similar trend, with 12 percent being yearlings and 50 percent of the harvest being 3 and older.”

Where to Hunt Deer in Nebraska

Whitetail densities are best in the southwestern portion of the state and along major river corridors. Less than 3 percent of land in Nebraska is publicly accessible, but the southwestern corner holds a surprising number of open properties. Hunters might investigate the 1,118-acre James N. Douglas Wildlife Management Area or the 564-acre Hickory Ridge Wildlife Management Area, both in Johnson County. Plus, the state’s Open Fields and Waters Program has opened hundreds of thousands of acres to hunters. The Frenchman and Platte units in western Nebraska are best for mule deer. Chase County, in southwestern Nebraska has some very large blocks of OFW land. Find season dates and bag limits here.

Nevada

Species: mule deer

Estimated population: 78,000

Fall 2021-22 harvest: 6,185