Getting ready for my first eastern hunt!

Bighorner

WKR
Joined
Nov 15, 2017
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562
I've been thinking alot about going on my first eastern hunt. I'm not looking for honey holes, just a place to start that I would have a legit shot at a 175+" deer. Im not looking for your honey hole just a good place to start. I've hunted alot of alpine elk so I'm not new to hunting. I've looked at the DNR websites, but it's all so overwhelming. I won't have time to scout and cant afford an outfitter so any info helps. Feel free to PM me so we dont burn your spot.
 

Mosby

WKR
Joined
Jan 1, 2015
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1,971
I've been thinking alot about going on my first eastern hunt. I'm not looking for honey holes, just a place to start that I would have a legit shot at a 175+" deer. Im not looking for your honey hole just a good place to start. I've hunted alot of alpine elk so I'm not new to hunting. I've looked at the DNR websites, but it's all so overwhelming. I won't have time to scout and cant afford an outfitter so any info helps. Feel free to PM me so we dont burn your spot.
I guess it depends on how and where you define 'eastern'. For a legit shot of a buck of that size I would stop in Illinois. Or go up north to Canada. Wasting your time going any further east IMO.
 
Joined
Oct 25, 2012
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1,423
I've been thinking alot about going on my first eastern hunt. I'm not looking for honey holes, just a place to start that I would have a legit shot at a 175+" deer. Im not looking for your honey hole just a good place to start. I've hunted alot of alpine elk so I'm not new to hunting. I've looked at the DNR websites, but it's all so overwhelming. I won't have time to scout and cant afford an outfitter so any info helps. Feel free to PM me so we dont burn your spot.

If you’re referring to whitetail, Ohio holds some great deer. There is a lot of public as well. Kansas is always a great state bc you never know what you will see. I hunted it last year and killed a buck just shy of 140. Had I passed and waited I may have had a chance to kill one bigger bc the rut was just starting to kick off. I’ll be back again this year. Iowa is another place but that isn’t exactly east (neither is Kansas) but you have to have points to draw. Kansas is a draw as well and already too late to draw. Kentucky has produced some good bucks in recent years as well. It’s thick timber hunting for sure. Indian has some studs too but I’m not too familiar with that state.


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4rcgoat

WKR
Joined
Dec 12, 2015
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1,220
Location
wyoming
I've been thinking alot about going on my first eastern hunt. I'm not looking for honey holes, just a place to start that I would have a legit shot at a 175+" deer. Im not looking for your honey hole just a good place to start. I've hunted alot of alpine elk so I'm not new to hunting. I've looked at the DNR websites, but it's all so overwhelming. I won't have time to scout and cant afford an outfitter so any info helps. Feel free to PM me so we dont burn your spot.
I saw some giants at a Cabelas outside ohio once,wouldnt take much of an effort to get one out of there,take out the camera's, tie up the security guard, maybe have a getaway car ready at the door?.....
 
Joined
Mar 1, 2017
Messages
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Eagle River, AK
This goes right along with what I was thinking- I want to Move back East for all the great hunting options 😂 Where is a good place to live? What job should I do so I can hunt all the time ? 🤣
 

DanimalW

WKR
Joined
Feb 9, 2020
Messages
395
I would suggest Wisconsin. Every county in the state is OTC for nonresident whitetail. No point creep here. They will basically sell you as many tags as you’d like for the same price as what a western bonus or preference point costs. Don’t even make you buy a small game or fishing license or any bullshit like that too. We don’t even require nonresidents to hire an outfitter to hunt on your nationally owned public land. Just find the biggest swamp you can find with OnX, throw on some waders, and pack camp in 5 miles I’d say. Once you can’t see any neon bar signs anymore, you should be close to a 175” buck.
 

Traveler

WKR
Joined
Dec 20, 2020
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402
Considering I’m literally in the process of moving East from the west this is fairly depressing…luckily I have both private and a bunch of public around with good populations. And plenty of vacation to travel back west.,.
 

Truck24hr

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jul 11, 2021
Messages
191
For legit shots at 175" WT, I'd look into either South Arkansas, Louisiana, or Mississippi. Be warned though, there's lot's of 160's running around acting like 175's.

What was I thinking? Behind the Wal Mart in Wynne, AR would be your best bet.
 
Joined
Nov 10, 2020
Messages
470
I’m sick and tired of all these Westies crowding out my hunting spots. I can’t hardly squirrel hunt anymore without accidentally treeing a half dozen saddle hunters, and that’s if I can even find a parking spot amongst all the Idaho plates at the WMA access! The other day a hunt on my favorite 12 acre park got ruined by some dude in a Born and Raised hat who came crashing through swatting at mosquitos and hammering on a squirrel call at the base of every hickory. Guys watch a few YouTube videos and expect to be able to drive out here and limit out on bushy tails smh.
 
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Bighorner

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Joined
Nov 15, 2017
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562
What units are you looking at?


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I am not there at all yet. This post was a bit of a light hearted poke at the popularity of western hunting and partly about considering what the midwest/eastern states may have to offer
and see what the other side of the coin looks like. I think I would be more inclined to go after water fowl, but I think an out of state trip would be a worth while use of time.
 

Truck24hr

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jul 11, 2021
Messages
191
I would be more inclined to go after water fowl, but I think an out of state trip would be a worth while use of time.
I'd still suggest behind the Wal Mart in Wynne, and I'd still be full of it. Arkansas born and bred here and haven't hunted ducks here in 3 years
 
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