states worth accruing preference points
Whitetail Deer
Contributors to this thread:
Looking for some suggestions on which states to start accruing preference points with. I am quickly nearing a point in my career where I have BOTH the money and the time off to make hunting out of state at least once or twice a year a reality. I'm open to travel and really just looking for an adventure, though I've always dreamed of shooting a big one.
In my ideal world I'd have 4-6. States I rotate through the years. Anyone do anything like this?
Iowa is the only state I can think of needing points. Kansas isn’t all that hard to draw every year.
Lots of good states in the Midwest to hunt with an OTC archery tag.
I am assuming your talking archery.
What type/types of animals are u after? Would help narrow things down
Yes, archery.
even without needing preference points, what states would be on your list?
Whitetail predominantly and someday elk
Whitetail——Iowa
Elk——Colorado, Wyoming, Utah
I would add Az for elk points.
Whitetail-many good states without points Antelope-Wy points easy DIY public land. S.D. Antelope no points needed. Co, Wy., New Mexico Elk, Mule Deer
Many folks with the time and money to hunt often times want to hunt deer "and someday elk," and then after a few years, hunt elk and want to hunt everything else too...
Iowa is where you want to build points for WT. I keep a couple Kansas points just to have them for when I want to use them, but I don't understand the guys that have 8-9 points and keep buying points. I heard SD may need points shortly... You can hunt deer in WY and MT that points may help you out. But as far as WT, Iowa is sorta the place for points.
As far as building points in the west for everything else, that's a pretty open-ended question. It really depends on how much money you're willing to part with every year and what your goals are.
Colorado for elk. Not because you will likely ever draw one of the great tags but because they are cheap and a few points open up more possibilities if you find a spot that requires a couple. I wouldn't wait on a draw tag or much of anything else to get started elk hunting. Chances are high whenever you start, you will wish you had started sooner.
Ditto the above comments regarding Western big game! I'm a passionate whitetail hunter from Indiana. Only hunted my home state during my 20's. Expanded my whitetail hunting by taking annual trip to Iowa, Kansas or Illinois during my 30's. Took the plunge and drove to Colorado for my first elk hunt at age 40....and got hooked! Just turned 56 last month. Still take the occasional whitetail trip....but rarely pass up a fall season hunting somewhere out west (or Alaska). Hunting a variety of big game in far and away places is definitely addictive....especially elk!
Iowa is the only state in the US where you need points for whitetails. Kansas should be drawn every year if you apply promptly and correctly. Nothing matters though if you’re not hunting at good places. Four or five years on the Bowsite Whitetail threads will help find those places. There are many states with great Whitetail hunting properties flying under the radar. Good luck!