Which is best for a hunting trip? Ohio Indiana Missouri or Kentucky?

Hey I live in Charlotte and don't want to drive to terribly far, but I want to go on a hunting trip thanksgiving weekend. I work for a NASCAR team so it's hard to get time off before thanksgiving and I know the rut is close to being over at that point.
I just want to get on big bucks and get an opportunity since here in nc is very limited with big deer. I wanna get your guys opinions on which is better including the price like tags and licenses. I know some of those states have fall turkey tags too. Plus I look into some outfitters and seems like if spend $2000 just to goto one. Don't want to spend that much money just to hunt. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Depending on which NASCAR team you work for, I might have you up to our farm in Ohio! Nothing really big around here, just the farm the Beatty Buck was killed on! Ohio has some fair rates for out of state hunters. Huge deer here in Greene County and not a bunch of steep hills to fight. Southeast Ohio has high numbers of deer and high numbers of hunters. PM me and we will talk.

 

Haha I work for the 16 car over at roush.

 

You can mark Indiana off your list. There aren't any deer here.

 

You would think there would be with all the corn in Indiana

 

I have been kicking the idea of a trip around as well. I would look at nebraska or kansas. I know a couple guys who had good luck on public land in Nebraska.

 

Yah Nebraska is where its at. There aren't any big deer in Kansas. Move along... Nothing to see! :p Certainly Greg either has or knows someone that can hook you up!

 

Lol Indiana is pretty cheap for a non resident. Public land gets hunted pretty hard though, if you talk to the media guy for Danica Patrick - his name is Joe Crowley aka Father Joe, he is from Indiana and he might be able to give you some suggestions although not a hunter himself.

Indiana produces some big deer. But its not as vast as other parts of the country. Good luck!

 

Public on Missouri is great. I hunt Central Missouri and there is a ton of great public ground. If you need any help on public in Central Missouri let me know. Most of my time is spend in the Mark Twain National Forest Cedar Creek District as well as Reform Conservation Area.

 

I second that notion. Nothing to see in the sunflower state! But seriously, Indiana does put out some giant bucks! It's on my list of whitetail states to hunt.

 

Mo is out of deer,but if you work in the engine program it have a spot for you.

 

I know Kansas is out of tags and Nebraska might be too long of a drive unless its worth it! I've talked to ever other guy in the garage area and they either got a buddy with land and has no idea what's on it or gotta pay 5 grand to go there. I don't mind the challenge of public land if I had time to scout or if I went with someone that knows the land very well. Oh and unfortunately I do not work in the engine shop I travel with the car as a mechanic.

 

IN does produce some monster bucks, but they're hard to get at. Most of the big bucks come off private land. Public land during gun season is hunted hard. You might be able to look at a boone and crockett or Indiana's record buck listing to get an idea of the county to focus on.
IN does have friendly non-resident costs though. I don't have much experience with public land.

I have been looking at Missouri as well.
Also, don't overlook Wisconsin, loads of public land and a producer of big bucks!

 

There are pockets of public IN. land that holds great deer, but it take a lot of work to get to them... and knowing where they are.

Muscatack Refuge is open to bow hunting during the gun season if your a bow hunter and is public land.

Seymour close by has lodging and food..

Just saying....

 

Biffle is the man and my driver!!!

I have access to 9500 acres in Nebraska. If it is on your list, let me know and I can make a few calls.

 

Unless you have an invite to private ground. I'd pick the easiest drive/lowest license cost state. And pick public land not near a larger populated area. After that its, maps, scouting & luck. The state probably doesnt matter much from the ones you listed.

 

Ill check it out but wanna find private or a guy that knows the public land well.

 

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Looks like Ohio it is with license and tags around $150 ill post pics if I get lucky!

 

Welcome to the buckeye state Alkie good luck