I went back and reviewed the Outdoor Life article again, and I am not saying they are wrong, but there are some ideas worth discussing.

First off, here is the article again from Outdoor Life referenced in the previous post:

Best Deer Hunting State: Kentucky Takes Top Spot in New Whitetail Scale

Next let me give you my take on the criteria:

Trophy Production:  I think this is a good, valid indicator. However, let me just blow a little hint in your ear:  not everyone in KY believes in B&C.  That may sound like heresy, but I think I’ve got one that would make the books, and it never got entered.  There was another taken just up the road from me in 2003 that . . . well, that monster was record book material for sure.  It ain’t there.  My point is simply that when you read this article remember that Indiana has more more guys who REPORT B&C entries.  I’m not saying KY, OH, IN or any other state is any better.    Actually I would say anyone in the Ohio River flowage has a great chance of getting a buck that scores well.

Hunter Density: Ohio has 11/sq mi .  Kentucky has 7/sq mi.  My little patch of heaven?  There is at most 4 hunters on our 200 acres (1.5 hunters/sq mi) , but on the Opener, I can hear up to 3 shot strings per minute for hours on end.  Now figure that I can hear about 2 miles in every direction.  That is about 12.5 sq mi.  In the first 3 hours, if I hear 3 shot strings/minute. . . let me take off my boots here so I can finish counting.  That’s about 4.32 hunters/ sq mile shooting before 10 AM alone!    The worst I ever heard in Ohio was Hocking County in 1985.  That was 1 shot-string/minute .  Indiana, in Switzerland County was negligible.   Still, I have to say that I have seen my share of monsters over the years.  I’m not sure being the only one for miles has a huge bearing on shooting a record book deer.

Cost of an Outfitted Hunt: I’m sorry.  I just do not see this as a valid measurement.  Kentucky is just getting started as a deer hunting destination.  There are few outfitters out there.  I am sure there will be more after this article.  Still, I do not see a whole lot of guides in the areas where there are big deer in Kentucky. Ditto for the surrounding states.  Illinois has cashed in, but OH, KY, IN? They are still a DIYer’s proposition.

Hunter Friendliness: Of all the places I felt welcomed the most in Ohio.  If you’re an out-of-stater in Indiana, especially an Ohioan?  Forget it.  I regularly had trouble.  Kentucky?  Look, I see their points, but let me set this up another way.  If you are a bow hunter or a crossbow hunter, stay in Ohio.  You get to hunt through the rut unopposed.    Kentucky generally does not like crossbows.    It also interrupts October with a Yute Hunt and an early ML hunt.  So if you like guns, you’ve got some early action.  If you like archery, you are going to put up with  some shooting.  Now, if you like guns, Kentucky has the most liberal of all the top states for centerfire firearms.  First, the modern weapons season coincides with the peak of the rut.  Second, you can hunt with any centerfire firearm .22 cal or larger.  IN has a certain number of centerfire rifle cartridges  allowed.  Ohio is still stuck on shotguns.  My overall opinion of Kentucky, is that it is remarkably unmoved by the idea of non-resident hunting.  The general theme I hear is that Kentucky’s game is there for Kentuckians.  Still, when you’ve got zones that allow unlimited daily antlerless harvest, you could use  some out-of-state help.  Know what I mean?  I also agree with the kentucky.com  article.  In KY, after Thanksgiving you’re basically alone in the woods?  Me? My freezer’s full by then.

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