Me and my wife are looking to go out of state on a rifle hunt on public land next year. Would like to stay within 12 hour drive of Birmingham, not looking for anyones honey hole, just looking at a state and wma suggestion and pros and cons of experience with it. I’ve hunted Ga, Kentucky, Illinois and Arkansas in the past, just thought be a neat trip to take instead of a beach vacation for once. Thanks!

I have been to Kentucky last year and Tennessee this year and have enjoyed it but I went on bow hunt both states has numerous management areas that have rifle hunts. But if me I would go to the ones with limited gun hunts or quota hunts. Good luck. I have had a blast going out of state deer hunts. Hope to go to Iowa in few years after I get a few more points.

definately PremierOutfitters in KY, i go there sometimes but will not dissapoint, frre chase, super hospitality, big deer

I got some friends that usually kill a really nice one every other year…they let a lot of decent ones walk tho, I’ll hollar back tomorrow but it’s either Indiana or Illinois I’ll ask on the place in specific

Id go to ohio, Indiana, or Illinois. Probably in that order.

Go to Texas. Texas. Texas.

Heck just pick one and go and have fun
Missouri
Illinois
Kansas
Kentucky
Indiana
You may could end like you mentioned in Arkansas and shoot a bear to boot

So, you recommend him drive to Sam Houston NF? Or one of those eastern wma’s?

Please do tell more. 😁😁

That’s what I’m looking for just a name of a place that someone has experienced. Like I said in the original post, I want to center fire rifle hunt, not shotgun or muzzleload. And I’ve hunted the states that I’ve listed. I’ve never even been to Texas so that my he a dang good thing to look at.

I could be wrong, but I’m not sure he read your first sentence about wanting to go to public land.

Pray a prayer of thanks that you’ve never had to live in Lago. This is my reference for Houston. If you watch Eastwood westerns you would know that means HELL!

Texas is a big place and I’m sure there may be some hidden gems for public deer hunting, I’m just not convinced they are within a 12 hour drive for you.

I'm from Texas and not a fun place for public land white tail hunters. Sam Houston is a huge WMA and my parents live on the edge of it. Flat mature pines, not a lot of variety of terrain. I have no idea how to find them out there. I know some people do, but no one has told me. There is a lot criminal activity, hobo camps, meth camps, out there when I go out there. I think Arkansas, Kentucky might be better. Deer hunting in Texas is the country club crowd activity. It isn't like it is here. I'll put it this way. I lived in Texas 40 years and never deer hunted till I moved to Bama. The problem was not lack of interest on my part.

Them are usually some fun trips, just pick one and go in blind

If you coming to IN let me know I will help you out anyway I can.

Indiana or Ohio. You would be pushing it to get to good public land in MO within 12 hours (would be close).

Now if your gun hunting realize you might have to use ML, Slugs, or straight walled Cart. In some states.

Pick a private low fence ranch in South Texas. You won't be sorry.

Lots of huge high fence ranches out there too, with really high quality deer. I know some don't like the idea of high fence, but once you get over 2000 acres, most deer don't know that there is a fence, and they are definitely wild where I have hunted.