Best State for OTC Public land WT?
Contributors to this thread:Whitetail Deer
From: cnelk
05-Nov-19
Okay - based on the other 'Public Land Pass or Shoot' thread, what is the best state for a NON RES to go buy an OTC tag and hunt public land for a decent chance at good buck [130"+]
From: yooper89
05-Nov-19
"Not looking for honey holes. I'll do the research myself, just looking for access points or geographical markers." ;-)
From: KHNC
05-Nov-19
Ohio, Illinois and Kentucky are great choices for public land WT fitting your description. Illinois has the most expensive license by far! But ,some great land. Kentucky has vast expanses of archery only public land, with some impressive bucks! That is where i would start my search.
From: DanaC
05-Nov-19
I hear Ohio is good
From: fubar racin
05-Nov-19
CT no doubt! Haha dunno bout them white tails but I just had to throw that out there.
From: TrapperKayak
05-Nov-19
NY Sucks... ;)
From: KHNC
05-Nov-19
2014 Kentucky Public
2014 Kentucky Public
From: Grubby
05-Nov-19
There’s a ton of good public land and plots type land in Wisconsin
From: KHNC
05-Nov-19
2015 Kentucky public
2015 Kentucky public
From: KHNC
05-Nov-19
2016 Kentucky Public
2016 Kentucky Public
From: wildwilderness
05-Nov-19
A 130+ whitetail on public is way easier said than done! Will take a lot of info and patience, and of course the right location. I would say Iowa by virtue of it taking 4 years for NR to draw a tag. Also eastern CO if you can draw the right tag....
From: billygoat
05-Nov-19
Overheard in a KY public land access parking area November 2020, " Where the hell did all these people come from???"
From: KHNC
05-Nov-19
lol, well, damn near most of state has vast expanses of public ground. So thats a lot of parking lots. Maybe it will get some of them away from the areas i am hunting. ;)
From: midwest
05-Nov-19
Those are GREAT public land bucks, KHNC!
From: midwest
05-Nov-19
wildwilderness….The OP asked for OTC states. Kentucky now has my vote! ;-)
From: wildwilderness
05-Nov-19
yeah, forgot about OTC. That would make a 130+ tougher for sure!
From: midwest
05-Nov-19
I wouldn't leave out Missouri. Lot's of public and it's a bargain for $225....2 deer tags, 2 turkey tags, and small game.
From: WV Mountaineer
05-Nov-19
I’m going to say WV. Got this one on camera three weeks ago. Public land.
From: Michael
05-Nov-19
PM sent
From: Michael
05-Nov-19
This buck came off some public in Ne.
From: Franklin
05-Nov-19
It`s refreshing to see people from states welcoming non-resident hunters. That`s the way it should be.
Wisconsin is ridiculously cheap and there are tons of small pockets of public that get very little hunting. Especially during the week.
From: Mint
07-Nov-19
Nice public bucks guys.
From: Two Feathers
07-Nov-19
Franklin x2
From: Dusktildawn
07-Nov-19
Illinois Public
From: Swampbuck
07-Nov-19
Wisconsin has some great public spots. Friend of mine tagged this guy
From: SixLomaz
07-Nov-19
Your friend from Wisconsin reminds me of Darth Vader. Did he whisper to that buck - "Bambi, I am your godfather"?
From: yooper89
07-Nov-19
Funny, I thought he looked more like Justin Trudeau
From: XbowfromNY
07-Nov-19
buy a kentucky tag and then start making cash offers to KHNC for assistance on where to go.
From: Swampbuck
07-Nov-19
Yooper, just got it and spit my drink everywhere, lmao
From: ESP
07-Nov-19
I am going to say southern West Virginia. East Kentucky That’s where I would go if I tagged out in my state.
From: mn_archer
07-Nov-19
Dont overlook a state like Minnesota. We have endless public lands and big bodied deer up north and enough public land good genes down south. Also you can archery hundreds from mid September to the end of December.
Wisconsin has lots of public lands and lengthy seasons
