The Best Whitetail States in North America

If you’re dreaming about chasing truly giant whitetails, these are the states that keep rewriting the record books. Rankings are based on verified Boone & Crockett Club entries — the official standard for measuring trophy whitetails.

All state rankings come from Boone & Crockett whitetail records. You can dig deeper into their official data and stories here: Boone & Crockett Club.

#1 – Wisconsin: The Whitetail Capital of North America

Wisconsin leads the Boone & Crockett standings with roughly 1,822 record-book whitetails — more than any other state. Legendary counties like Buffalo, Crawford, Trempealeau, Vernon, Richland, and Sauk consistently produce giants, but the state’s biggest typicals have actually come from several other counties. That means trophy potential isn’t limited to “famous” areas — it’s statewide.

The reason Wisconsin dominates is simple: nutrition + age + genetics. A mix of rolling farmland, river bottoms, oak ridges, and protected habitat gives deer what they need to survive multiple seasons. Combine that with a strong hunting culture that increasingly values maturity, and it’s easy to see why bucks pushing 180"–190"+ are not rare here.

Where Wisconsin Bucks Come From

Bluff Country (Western WI) – classic river valleys, thick cover, incredible genetics.
Central Farmland – mixed ag + timber equals steady trophy-class production.
Northern Forest – lower deer density, but surprising big-woods giants still show up.

Why Wisconsin Produces So Many Record Deer

High-quality agriculture (corn, beans, alfalfa = year-round nutrition).
Diverse habitat keeps deer spread out and less pressured.
Cold winters naturally favor stronger, healthier genetics.
Modern management + hunter discipline leads to older bucks.

Hunting Takeaway

You don’t have to hunt one specific “famous” county to be in the game. In Wisconsin, almost any region with good cover and ag nearby has record-book potential. If you want a realistic shot at a 160-class buck — with a chance at something truly once-in-a-lifetime — Wisconsin absolutely belongs at the top of your list.

Quick Wisconsin Trophy Facts

#1 state in total Boone & Crockett whitetail entries.
Several counties rank in the Top 20 nationwide for record production.
Many of the biggest bucks were taken in the 2000s and 2010s — it’s still happening now.

The Johnny King Buck – Wisconsin’s Legendary Controversy

No Wisconsin whitetail conversation is complete without mentioning the Johnny King Buck — one of the most debated typical whitetails ever taken. Some unofficial measurements suggested the rack could gross over 220 inches, leading many hunters to believe it had legitimate world-record potential.

However, when the buck was officially panel-scored by the Boone & Crockett Club, it was not accepted as a world-record typical. That ruling centered around how certain points were classified, but there is one thing for sure the Johnny King Buck is one of the most impressive whitetails ever taken.

You can read more and see photos of the Johnny King Buck here: Boone & Crockett – Official King Buck Statement

#2 – Illinois: Cornfield Kings

Illinois holds the #2 spot with roughly 1,445 Boone & Crockett whitetail entries. Names like Pike, Fulton, Adams, and Jo Daviess are almost mythical in the deer world and all rank among the top trophy counties in the U.S.

But just like Wisconsin, Illinois doesn’t hide all of its giants in one corner. Some of the state’s biggest typical bucks ever taken have come from Peoria, Macon, White, Greene, and Macoupin, proving that if the habitat is right and deer get to older age classes, just about any county can produce a monster.

Where Illinois Bucks Really Shine

Big River Corridors – Mississippi and Illinois River country with rich soil and thick cover.
Corn & Bean Belt – classic ag ground where deer live in high-quality groceries.
Timbered Draws & Funnels – small woodlots and ditches that stack rut traffic in bow range.

Why Illinois Keeps Producing Cornfield Giants

High-octane agriculture that builds mass, tine length, and body size.
Broken habitat – fingers of timber and CRP that create natural funnels.
Bow-heavy pressure that often lets older bucks slip through rifle seasons.
Proven genetics with multiple all-time caliber bucks already in the books.

Hunting Takeaway

You can absolutely chase a dream buck in the headline counties, but don’t overlook “boring” counties with good crops, decent cover, and manageable hunting pressure. In Illinois, a small permission farm on the right ridge or field edge can be every bit as deadly as a famous zip code.

Quick Illinois Trophy Facts

~1,445 Boone & Crockett whitetail entries – solid #2 behind Wisconsin.
Four counties ranked among the top 20 trophy whitetail counties nationwide.
Home to multiple modern record-book bucks that reshaped the non-typical rankings.

The Luke Brewster Buck – The Biggest Hunter-Killed Whitetail Ever

Illinois proved its reputation in a big way in 2018 when bowhunter Luke Brewster tagged a once-in-a-lifetime giant in Edgar County. The buck officially scored 327 7/8" Boone & Crockett (non-typical), making it the largest whitetail ever taken by a hunter and one of the highest-scoring whitetails ever recorded in North America.

Loaded with mass, insane tine length, and an unforgettable frame — including drop tines on both sides, with one having a wild cluster of drops. — I've always been a fan of the typical look but man this non-typical just seems diffferent than the rest. It instantly cemented its place in whitetail history and reminded everyone why Illinois belongs among the elite big-buck states.

You can read more about the Brewster Buck here: Boone & Crockett – Brewster Buck Feature

#3 – Iowa: Low Pressure, High Ceilings

Iowa sits confidently in the #3 position with about 1,330 Boone & Crockett entries. The difference-maker here is simple: low hunting pressure + strong management = old bucks. And when whitetails get old in Iowa, they don’t just get big — they get unbelievable.

Well-known hotspots like Allamakee, Warren, and Clayton consistently produce giants, but record-class typicals have come from Hamilton, Decatur, Des Moines, Plymouth, and Monroe. Iowa doesn’t depend on one region — big deer live statewide.

Where Iowa’s Biggest Bucks Come From

Eastern Bluff Country – rolling timber, river valleys, and classic rut terrain.
Central Farm Belt – corn and bean ground that feeds antler growth year-round.
Southern Iowa Timber – vast habitat, light pressure, and incredible age structure.

Why Iowa Produces So Many Mega Bucks

Limited firearm hunting – no centerfire rifle seasons reduces young buck harvest.
Excellent genetics proven over decades of record-book deer.
Nutrition-rich ag ground fuels tine length, frame width, and mass.
Serious management culture – many hunters willingly pass younger deer.

Hunting Takeaway

Iowa may be tough to draw for non-residents, but it’s worth every year of waiting. If you tag an Iowa deer, odds are high it’s going to be special. 170-class bucks are realistic… and 190"+ deer are absolutely on the table in the right places.

Quick Iowa Trophy Facts

~1,330 Boone & Crockett whitetail entries.
Multiple nationally ranked trophy counties.
Consistent production of 190"+ farm-country giants.

The Austin Pontier Buck

In 2016, 18-year-old Austin Pontier arrowed a stunning 194 1/8″ Boone & Crockett typical in Clarke County, Iowa. The buck’s massive, symmetrical frame earned it a place among Iowa’s top typicals and even landed its photo on the cover of Boone & Crockett’s whitetail record book. And man, I’ll tell you, the mass on this deer flat-out drives me crazy. You can almost feel the weight of it just looking at it. It’s a perfect example of why Iowa continues to produce world-class deer.

Check out: Boone & Crockett Club to see more

#4 – Minnesota: Big Woods, Big Frames

Minnesota holds the #4 spot with roughly 1,194 Boone & Crockett whitetail entries. Trophy producers like St. Louis, Otter Tail, Houston, and Winona consistently deliver monster deer year after year.

But what makes Minnesota special is range. Some of the state’s biggest typicals ever taken came from Beltrami, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Aitkin, and Wright, proving that it doesn’t matter whether you’re in farm country or deep wilderness — Minnesota grows giants everywhere.

Where Minnesota’s Biggest Bucks Come From

Big Woods North – remote forests with light pressure and tough, old genetics.
Southeast Bluff Country – steep ridges, farmland edges, and legendary rut terrain.
Central Lakes Region – mixed ag, cover, and endless edge habitat.

Why Minnesota Produces So Many Big Deer

Cold northern winters that naturally select strong-bodied, thick-framed deer.
Diverse terrain — swamps, timber, farmland, and river valleys.
Solid genetics backed by decades of big-frame bucks on record.
Improving management and selective hunting creating better age structure.

Hunting Takeaway

Minnesota isn’t always the easiest place to hunt, but when everything comes together, the ceiling is ridiculously high. Big-bodied, heavy-beamed northern giants are always on the table — whether you’re bowhunting bluff country or grinding it out in the timber.

Quick Minnesota Trophy Facts

~1,194 Boone & Crockett whitetail entries.
Multiple counties ranked among the Top 20 nationwide.
Several modern 190"+ typicals taken since 2010.

The John Breen Buck

Minnesota’s most famous whitetail is the John Breen Buck, taken in 1918 near Funkley. It scored 202" Boone & Crockett typical and still stands as the Minnesota state-record typical whitetail more than a century later. This buck… oh man, this buck is everything I dream of. There’s just something about a typical this big that is so unbelievably pleasing to look at — it almost doesn’t seem real.

Check out: Legendary Whitetails to see a cool article and video on The John Breen Buck.

#5 – Ohio: Modern Hammer State

Ohio has climbed into the #5 position with roughly 1,049 Boone & Crockett whitetail entries. What makes Ohio especially impressive is timing: many of the state’s biggest bucks were taken in the 2000s and 2010s, proving current herd management and hunting culture are working extremely well.

From rolling hill country to river bottoms and quiet farmland edges, Ohio has become one of the best places in North America to chase big, clean-framed typicals and giant non-typicals — with plenty of realistic trophy opportunity.

Where Ohio’s Biggest Bucks Come From

Hill Country (Eastern & Southern Ohio) – deep timber, low pressure, and age structure.
Farm Country – corn, beans, and edge habitat that builds mass.
River Systems – travel corridors and secluded sanctuaries.

Why Ohio Keeps Producing Record Bucks

Strong management leading to older age classes.
Bowhunter-friendly seasons that reduce rifle harvest pressure.
Excellent genetics producing massive beams and tine length.
Great access balance – lots of huntable ground with legit trophy potential.

Hunting Takeaway

Ohio is one of the best “realistic dream” states in America. You don’t have to draw a tag, you don’t need decades of preference points, and you still have a serious shot at a 160"+ deer with a very real chance something far bigger shows up.

Quick Ohio Trophy Facts

~1,049 Boone & Crockett whitetail entries.
Massive surge in record deer since the early 2000s.
One of the best big-buck states that non-residents can actually hunt.

The Bradley Jerman Buck

Ohio proved its powerhouse status in 2004 when Bradley Jerman took a stunning 201 1/8" Boone & Crockett typical in Warren County. The buck became Ohio’s #1 typical and remains one of the best clean frames ever recorded from the Buckeye State — and this 5x5 has some of the craziest brow tines you’ll ever see.

Check out: Boone & Crockett Club to see more

The Best Whitetail States in North America