There’s no denying the Midwest is the top whitetail deer hunting region of the country. States like Kansas, Iowa, and Wisconsin have led the way in producing giant bucks for a long time. Other states, like Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky have gone from sleeper states to destinations hunters dream of. If you want to travel to take your shot at tagging a worldclass whitetail, the Midwest is where you want to be, and the hunts listed below are top notch and available.
Many of the states in the region require hunters to secure licenses through an application and lottery process. However, there are still a number of states in the Midwest where you can purchase a license over the counter. In today’s modern world, this simply means you can purchase a license at any time before or during the season. There is no lottery. You can make these purchases at retailers and license agents, or on the internet. All of these hunts listed are over the counter hunts.
Kentucky – Archery Deer
If you want to start your deer season early, Kentucky is the place to go. Archery season kicks off Sept. 6 and runs through Jan. 19. You have a shot to tag a velvet buck, and the Bluegrass State grows giants. Many of which are found in the thick forested regions of the eastern half of the state, living like ghosts in the timber. That is, until the end of October when the rut kicks off and they lose their minds. The Daniel Boone Nation Forest offers 2.1 million acres of whitetail rich public lands. Position yourself in the right draw or patch of timber, and you never know if a giant is going to walk by.
Indiana – Hoosier National Forest Firearms Whitetails
Northern Indiana has little public land but is home to the majority of the state’s population. The southern half of the state, however, is flush with state forests, and the 202,814-acre Hoosier National Forest, which is home to some giant whitetails.
“Since Indiana instituted the one-buck rule back in 2002, our state has been producing more and more world class whitetails. You hear a lot about the big cornfield bucks up north, but I hunt exclusively in the hardwoods of Southern Indiana, and come November, there is nowhere I would rather be in pursuit of a big buck,” said longtime Hoosier deer hunter, David Ray.
Indiana’s 2025 firearms season runs November 15 – 30. Don’t use the excuse there’s nowhere to go. The Hoosier National Forest makes that statement untrue.
Missouri: Muzzleloader Deer
The rut has subsided, and bucks are busy replenishing precious calories they burned up chasing does. Focusing your efforts on food sources is a best bet during Missouri’s Alternative Methods Season, which includes the use of muzzleloaders. Don’t overlook brushy areas or small tracts of timber standing in or along a harvested agricultural area. Northern Missouri is agriculture country. Union Ridge Conservation Area and Indian Hills Conservation Area are two large public properties near Kirksville known to produce a lot quality deer. The Missouri muzzleloader season runs Dec. 27 – Jan. 6.
Michigan – UP Firearms Whitetails
Break out your wool, red and black jacket and head to the vast public lands of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to experience one of North America’s greatest traditional deer hunting destinations. The Ottawa and Hiawatha National Forests combine to offers nearly 2-million acres of public land for deer hunting in the Upper Peninsula. The U.P. is also home to abundant state forests and state game and wildlife areas that offer deer hunting opportunities. Still hunting old logging roads or setting up a blind on a well-worn trail are top tactics to tag a deep woods buck. Firearms season is November 15-30.
Ohio – Archery Deer
Arguments rage around the Midwest about whether or not to have a firearms deer season during the rut. Ohio doesn’t, which undoubtedly allows bucks the opportunity to grow old and large.
Ohio’s archery deer season runs from Sept. 27 – Feb. 1. The Boone & Crockett Club ranks Ohio as a top trophy buck state in the nation with 1,337 total entries. While giant bucks can be found anywhere in the Buckeye State, the sprawling forests of southeast Ohio are magnets for big buck hunters. The Wayne National Forest gives hunters plenty of room to roam.
See you down the trail…
Brandon Butler
driftwoodoutdoors@gmail.com
Pic: Indiana has become a top destination for deer hunters to pursue big bucks, like the one David Ray recently took near Bedford.
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