Big game hunting is a craft. There is an appreciation for the strategy and execution of a plan. The planning, cost of materials and gear, and satisfaction after dedicated time to learning about your prey is a lot. That’s why hunting outside your backyard from time to time can be worth it. This is the top 10 dream hunting sceneries across North America that provide unforgettable memories and make it worth the effort.
We've kept in mind hunting-friendly areas but it is always good to check with a specific city or town limit to ensure you aren’t breaking any laws.
Montana is first on the list because it is home to some of the best wildlife in the United States. It’s often considered to be a bucket list destination for hunters because of the unique challenges and species that are being hunted there. The landscape is vast offering mountain ranges to big open prairies. And while the state is definitely committed to keeping its grounds beautiful, they also have tons of veteran services if it’s your first time hunting in the Big Sky.
Some of the game you can expect to find here is mule deer, antelope, elk, whitetail deer, black bear, bighorn sheep, and more. Keep in mind that not all animals are up for night hunting. Only predators determined by the state of Montana are legal to hunt at night.
And while you can generally hunt any animal a ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset you still may want to consider night vision aids at these times for extra help. Something like the Firefield Nightfall 4x50 Night Vision Monocular only goes over one high so you can enhance vision while keeping your peripherals!
Colorado can be described as a rugged terrain that presents challenges well worth the hustle. Colorado also presents a variety of landscapes that offer ironically peace while hunting. Whether you are in the canyons of the Rocky Mountains the landscape offers a variety of game. You can find the main species elk just about anywhere. They also have pronghorn antelope, whitetail deer, mule deer, among many other options.
Something that should be kept in mind is that Colorado sits a lot higher up than most states. The state has a base altitude of 3,200 feet above sea level with some spots reaching 5,280 feet. The Rockies go even hire. So what can you do about this? Knowing that you may be short of breath here giving yourself a few days to adjust before pushing it is a wise choice. Avoiding caffeine and alcohol should also be in the back of your mind while drinking plenty of water.
If you are someone who doesn’t mind the cold then Alaska can be one of the most rewarding and beautiful hunting trips you’ll ever take. While you aren’t leaving the U.S. it feels like a big hunting expedition given the distance it takes to travel by air regardless of where you are located in the states. Big game includes bison, black bear, caribou, grizzly bear, dall sheep, deer, elk, etc.
Keep in mind that the best time to do this is between August and October. Alaska is an interesting environment because certain times of the year offer 24 hours of daylight and 24 hours of darkness. While this significantly affects hunting, so does the cold weather. Be sure to pack appropriate clothing that provides proper insulation. Some hunters find it difficult to work with gloves so having hand warmers in your pockets is a good idea.
The cold isn’t for everyone which is why Georgia is next on our list. Georgia may be a surprise to some for hunting but it’s actually home to 640,000 plus annual hunters a year. With a lot of wildlife on the table plus some 104 Wildlife Management Areas, there are a lot of options to choose from. The game is a little different here with the most commonly hunted animal being the white-tailed deer. You’ll also find wild turkeys, black bears, alligators, waterfowl, among other species.
Since the climate isn’t exactly mountainous or freezing, you’ll need to prepare for swamplands and subtropical conditions. The law will require you to have a Georgia hunting license in order to participate so be sure to square this away before you go. The most popular times to go to Georgia is between September and January!
The Lonestar state makes the list because it’s truly a unique hunting experience to be had. The climate and conditions offer some of the most unique games with a lot of variety and challenges for hunters to take on. There are different kinds of hunts lined up and down the state so you won’t have any trouble finding one. The state is particularly known for its large antlered whitetail deer but you can also find yourself wrestling with hogs, alligators, nilgai antelope, blackbucks, and even African game.
On public hunting grounds, it’s worth noting that the law requires hunters to wear a minimum of 400 square inches of fluorescent orange to avoid accidents. The brush and landscape can be thick which makes it challenging but also a little dangerous if hunters were to blend in. That way hunters can enjoy typically fenced-in raches with all safety precautions in place.
While it is definitely worth visiting all of these beautiful states across the U.S. it’s important to remember they all offer different conditions. You will need to bring different equipment and tools such as appropriate clothing, night vision aids, or anything else that best prepares you for the area. You also need to check what licenses are needed and what regulations for each destination.
