Boone and Crockett's Top Whitetail States

#1 – Wisconsin

Wisconsin is the #1 ranked state with 1,822 total entries and six counties in the top 20 U.S. counties with the most records produced. The #1 county overall is Buffalo County with 150 entries in the record book, Crawford County ranks #9 with 58 entries, Trempealeau County ranks #11 with 55 entries, Vernon County ranks #14 with 54 entries, Richland County ranks #18 with 48 entries, and Sauk County ranks #19 with 47 entries. Notably, however, the state’s top five typical bucks ever taken did not come from these high producing counties, instead coming from Burnett, Kenosha, Wood, Columbia, and Dodge counties. This shows the quality of deer management across the entire state. The book also features stories and color photos of 37 record whitetails taken in the 21st Century, including Adam L. Hupf’s 2014 Dodge County typical buck that scored 191-6/8 inches and ranks fifth largest in Wisconsin history and #119 on the All-time list. Listed also is Charles R. Bocook’s 2018 buck from Columbia County that scored 192-6/8 inches and edged out Hupf’s buck to be the fourth largest Wisconsin whitetail and is ranked #96 All-time.

#2 – Illinois

Illinois is the #2 state overall with 1,445 total entries and has four counties in the top 20 U.S. counties, including: Pike County that ranks #10 with 57 entries, Fulton and Adams Counties that are tied for #11 with 55 total entries, and Jo Daviess County that ranks #17 with 49 entries. Once again, the state’s top five typical bucks ever taken did not come from these high producing counties, instead coming from Peoria, Macon, White, Greene, and Macoupin counties. Eight of the book’s 21st Century Whitetails come from Illinois—more than any other state. One buck that is highlighted in this section is Luke Brewster’s non-typical taken in 2018 from Edgar County that scored 327-7/8 and is the new Illinois state record and the #3 on the All-time list, pending Judges Panel review for the 31st Big Game Awards in 2022.

#3 – Iowa 

Iowa continues to rank #3 for Boone and Crockett Club trophy whitetail with 1,330 total entries. The state also has three counties in the top 20 U.S. counties with the most records produced, including: Allamakee County that ranks #8 with 60 entries, Warren County that ranks #16 with 50 total entries, and Clayton County that is tied for #19 with 47 entries. The state’s top five typical bucks ever taken, however, did not come from these high producing counties, instead coming from Hamilton, Decatur, Des Moines, Plymouth, and Monroe counties. The 21st Century Whitetails section includes Austin Pontier’s 2016 typical buck from Clarke County that scored 194-1/8 and is ranked #8 in Iowa history and #70 on the All-time list—the image of the then-18-year-old’s beautiful buck graces the cover of the book.

#4 – Minnesota 

Minnesota comes in #4 in the overall state rankings with 1,194 total entries and four counties in the top 20 U.S. counties: St. Louis County that is the #2 overall county with 102 total entries, Otter Tail County that ranks #7 with 63 total entries, Houston County that is tied for #14 with 54 entries, and Winona County that is tied for #19 with 47 entries. Once again, the state’s top five typical bucks ever taken did not come from these high producing counties, instead coming from Beltrami, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Aitkin, and Wright counties. Michael Burgdorf’s 2012 typical buck from Winona County that scored 193-1/8 and is #9 in Minnesota history and Chad L. Widness’ 2010 buck from Otter Tail County that scored 190-1/8 and is the #15 typical buck in state history are both featured in the 21st Century Whitetails section.

Save 20% on Records of North American Whitetail Deer when you JOIN B&C's Associates Program.

#5 – Ohio 

Ohio moved up in rank to #5 with 1,049 total entries. Of particular note, all of the new typical records in the state’s top 10 and six of the 10 non-typical state records were taken in the 2000s – this shows that current state management is producing consistently large bucks. The 21st Century Whitetails includes Bradley S. Jerman’s 2004 typical buck from Warren County that scored 201-1/8 becoming the #1 buck in Ohio history and the #12 on the All-time list and David G. Kopp’s Stark County non-typical buck from 2016 that scored 258-1/8 and ranks #8 in the state and #63 All-time; Kopp’s buck was part of the 30th Big Game Awards in 2019.

#6 – Kentucky 

Just barely knocked down to the #6 position is Kentucky with 1,048 total entries. Once again, Kentucky is an up-and-comer with five of the new typical records in the state’s top 10 and nine of the 10 non-typical state records taken in the 2000s. Benjamin J. Brogle’s 2002 non-typical buck from Garrard County that scored 260-1/8 and is the #2 non-typical buck in Kentucky history and the #50 on the All-time list is part of the 21st Century Whitetails stories.

#7 – Missouri 

Missouri ranks #7 overall with 896 total entries and two of the state’s best whitetail bucks were honored in 2019 as part of the 30th Big Game Awards in Springfield. This includes Chase R. Cooper’s 2017 buck from Henry County that scored 197-2/8 inches and is the new #4 typical whitetail in the state and #45 on the All-time list, as well as William T. Duncan’s 2016 typical buck from Macon County that scored 194-6/8 and is #5 in the state and #63 All-time. In addition, the state tables of all record-book deer include a buck from Lewis County taken by Daryl L. Blum in 2002 that scored 198-6/8 inches and landed #3 on the state list #29 All-time. Missouri is another state with more recent big bucks—six of the new typical records in the state’s top 10 and seven of the 10 new non-typical state records were taken in the 2000s.

#8 – Kansas 

Kansas moved up in rank to #8 with 867 total entries and Gerald E. Rightmyer’s 2006 non-typical buck from Morris County was part of the 21st Century Whitetails section. Rightmyer’s buck scored 272-2/8 and ranks #4 in Kansas and #33 on the All-time list. Featured in the state tables for Kansas is the non-typical buck picked up in 2012 by James E. Wanklyn in Marshall County that scored 295 points and is the new state record and #11 All-time.

BONUS – Texas

Texas comes in #11 overall with 767 total entries, but thanks to having four of the top six counties nationwide the state lands on the state stat list. Maverick County ranks #3 with 92 entries, Webb County ranks #4 with 87 entries, and La Salle and Dimmit Counties are tied for #5 with 73 entries each. Notably, however, three of the state’s top five typical bucks ever taken did not come from these high producing counties, instead coming from McMullen, Frio, and Shackelford Counties.

Save 20% on Records of North American Whitetail Deer when you JOIN B&C's Associates Program.

BONUS – Arkansas 

Arkansas rounds out the top of the special state stats thanks to William L. Loyd’s 2018 typical buck from Lee County that scored 200-1/8 points and ranks #17 All-time and #1 in the state, pending review by the Judges Panel for the 31st Big Game Awards in 2022. The story of Loyd’s Arkansas buck shows why effective deer management in many states is creating the potential for record-book bucks being harvested, even in states that haven’t traditionally been known for their trophy deer. Arkansas is now the #15 state overall with 254 total entries and joins Ohio, Kansas, Indiana, and Oklahoma that all moved up in rank.

BONUS – Tennessee 

Stephen L. Tucker’s 2016 buck from Sumner County helped to land Tennessee into the top state stats as a bonus state. Tucker’s non-typical buck scored 315-1/8 inches and is the new state record as well as #4 on the All-time list. The buck was honored in 2019 during the 30th Big Game Awards.