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Hunting different states

M

Mackerel

Active Member
Joined
Oct 9, 2019
Messages
101
Location
Lexington, NC
I’ve grown up hunting states that all sell OTC deer tags and I’d like to travel to the Midwest to hunt. I’ve never took part in a lottery tag system or anything like that and I’m curious if there is a resource for what states are OTC and which you need to apply for? Once you draw a tag from those states do they roll over to another year if you don’t punch the tag? I’m very green to anything other than over the counter tags and would appreciate and help I can get.
 
Wisconsin has OTC tags for out of state residents. They are specific for the season and if not filled they expire. There is a lot of public land in the northern third of the state. The rest of state has a pretty good amount of public land as well.

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Iowa is draw. Archery is more difficult to draw than firearm season. Bows are not permitted in gun season, btw.
I think Iowa has 11 (?) management zones, some are harder to draw than others. You will need preference points, 2 minimum and up to 4 for some zones. Points are pricey, around $60, and licenses are also very expensive. After paying for up to 4 points, and all licenses and tags, it will run you upwards of $900. Points don't expire, but all points are exhausted when you draw a tag.
Missouri is OTC. Other than that, I don't know much about Mo.
Ohio is OTC. But private land is getting difficult to find for free. Leases are becoming very common in Oh.
 
Missouri is an OTC so is Kansas and Nebraska, there are alot of public land areas to hunt and for the most part, deer pattern well out there. Watch any of the hunting public's videos and you'll get a shot at something if you put in the work.
 
Allegheny Tom said:
Iowa is draw. Archery is more difficult to draw than firearm season. Bows are not permitted in gun season, btw.
I think Iowa has 11 (?) management zones, some are harder to draw than others. You will need preference points, 2 minimum and up to 4 for some zones. Points are pricey, around $60, and licenses are also very expensive. After paying for up to 4 points, and all licenses and tags, it will run you upwards of $900. Points don't expire, but all points are exhausted when you draw a tag.
Missouri is OTC. Other than that, I don't know much about Mo.
Ohio is OTC. But private land is getting difficult to find for free. Leases are becoming very common in Oh.
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I really appreciate you sharing that. As far as “points” go is it a “highest bidder wins” kinda thing? Sorry to be such a newb at this kind of system but I would really like to travel to hunt and see new places/ meet new people. Missouri is a bucket list state along with Kentucky. I just need to research more about those states laws and dive into their public land areas.
 
btsnhos said:
Missouri is an OTC so is Kansas and Nebraska, there are alot of public land areas to hunt and for the most part, deer pattern well out there. Watch any of the hunting public's videos and you'll get a shot at something if you put in the work.
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A buddy of mine and his dad went to Kansas a few years ago without much luck on the first trip. The dad drove back to Kansas in late November for 10 days of public hunting in a 4cyl hatchback and came home to N.C. with a 170” stud hanging out the passenger window. I think I’ll talk to them about making a road trip this year.
 
Mackerel said:
I really appreciate you sharing that. As far as “points” go is it a “highest bidder wins” kinda thing? Sorry to be such a newb at this kind of system but I would really like to travel to hunt and see new places/ meet new people. Missouri is a bucket list state along with Kentucky. I just need to research more about those states laws and dive into their public land areas.
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It's kinda "highest bidder" gets drawn. For instance, we applied for zone 4 which plots 440 NR tags. The people with the highest number of points get 1st crack. Hypothetically, if 441 people with 6 points applied for zone 4 (which is very unlikely) then 1 applicant would be denied. Most people are trying with 1 to 5 points. 1 point people never get drawn, 2 pointers usually don't have a chance either. 3 pointers have a decent chance...some of the 3 point applicants get drawn and some don't. 4 points (so far) have been a sure thing. It just depends on how many people with "X" number of points apply in a given year. about 10 years ago, it was more common to draw zone 4 with only 2 points, but now 2 ain't enough.
Kansas, is not exactly OTC if I understand it correctly. They also have zones but their procedure on how you apply and where you can hunt (if drawn) is different than Iowa. My buddy went to KS last year. My understanding is that you give 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice for what zone you want and you can hunt a neighboring zone in addition to the one you get drawn for...I THINK THAT'S HOW KS WORKS, but you better check to make sure.
 
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Mackerel said:
A buddy of mine and his dad went to Kansas a few years ago without much luck on the first trip. The dad drove back to Kansas in late November for 10 days of public hunting in a 4cyl hatchback and came home to N.C. with a 170” stud hanging out the passenger window. I think I’ll talk to them about making a road trip this year.
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Yeah I have had plenty of deer in the back of my outback. Start e scouting now and try to get good ideas of where you can go, if you have a chance to go scout it I would make the trip. If not spend the first couple days scouting the area then I usually hunt/get down scout/hunt throughout the day. Unless its the rut then I'll sit if its a $$$$ spot because those big boys move all the time between 10-2.
 
I forgot to add that Wisconsin has no lottery or draw system that I'm aware of for out of state residents. It looks like the tag is $160, which seems really reasonable.

Just don't know if it is on your bucket list of states to hunt.

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Homebrew454 said:
I forgot to add that Wisconsin has no lottery or draw system that I'm aware of for out of state residents. It looks like the tag is $160, which seems really reasonable.

Just don't know if it is on your bucket list of states to hunt.

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To be honest, any state with a reputation of solid deer is a bucket list state. I just wish I had this drive in my early 20’s when I had the resources and didn’t have a family that would be left behind for a month at a time.
 
Just a heads up on OTC, Arizona coues is awesome. Im working into getting a guide license. Ive shot two studs in the three years ive been at it and the one year i didnt i hit a solid p&y borderline booner but never recovered. Its a ton of fun when you can get into them. I anticpitate things change with the popularity for Az, id do it sooner than later
 
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