I hunted 9 years in NE Missouri and was there where it was good. But now it would have to Iowa. I have friends that send me pics every year. It’s hust unreal the deer they kill and see.

If I'm restricted to your list, I'd choose Kentucky because it's the cheapest one to hunt.
But then, I don't like your list. 😆

Lol is that inside or outside? Don't matter to me but the question was free range...i got a buddy that kiss a 140 every other year with bow on public land in Illinois if that helps I've only hunted AL n TN nothing over 130 to date

Both of those were outside a high fence. First one was bedded behind a cattle cross fence.

After years of hunting up that way if I was to start fresh I would seriously consider Indiana....Cheaper license and no hassles much there and they have Tons of GiANT bucks there too....I still believe it's a sleeper state that doesnt get neeeeear as much attention as those that border it on all sides.....did I say it was way cheaper too.... If you would pick a few parks out and spend a little time bumbling around in them and do plenty of road riding with your satellite maps on to show you how the timber runs in and around them.....You may just find you a little sweet spot or 3 and never have any company..... Boy wouldn't that be Sweet Good Luck to ya...

Kansas or Iowa. I've hunted the other 3 (Kentucky, Illinois and Missouri).

Wisconsin

Iowa then Kansas

I’ve personally hunted 4 of the 5 listed and currently hunt two which are Illinois and Kentucky. If I could only choose one it would be hands down Iowa. I’m almost to the point I’m about to quit hunting the two states I currently hunt and focus on Iowa every 4 years. I want to kill a deer over 170” and I feel Iowa would afford me that opportunity. I may look at Kansas and certain parts of Oklahoma in the future.

Think I'll just stay home and save my big game , out of state $ for elk.

If I was of financial means and of a mind to chase big bucks, I'd go with your idea - Iowa, Kansas and some areas of Oklahoma. I've seen two 170 bucks in Kansas and it was pretty damned exciting. I just don't have the money or hardcore desire, though.

I've considered Oklahoma and have a couple of areas in mind. I think it and Indiana, mentioned earlier, are vastly underrated and inexpensive compared to others.

^^^^^^Whole truth and nothing but the truth right there. it's the same everywhere, even in Bama. The particular piece of property you are hunting can and does make all the difference in the world. If I had to pick a particular state in general. I'd probably go Iowa too.

Definitely Iowa, with Tiffany Lakosky.

Definitely Wisconsin, Ohio or Alberta...

J/K, wanted to get in on the group that is not picking from the choices.

Actually, I would probably pick Kansas or Iowa. I have a cousin that lives in Kansas, and he has killed some monsters.

I'm in the same boat. I've started going further west away from KY and IL and have had some great success. I've been tag-teaming OK and KS in between Iowa years.

Ohio

New hampshire has open tresspass i believe?. That would be so cool to moose hunt on. They just ask that you let the landowner know that you will be hunting.

Iowa, then Kansas. After that they are all pretty dependent on the property. Northern Missouri on the Iowa line would probably be my next pick.

Years ago I discussed with a friend putting in for moose tags in New Hampshire and Vermont. If one of us got drawn we'd split the costs and the meat. We never did it, though.