Assuming a guy isn't rich and doesn't have 60 days to hunt a year, but is willing to throw all of the time and money he DOES have at chasing a 160-170" Whitetail.. and that is his only hunting goal before more responsibilities and commitments come along..

How would you tell him to do it?

Leases? Guided/Semi-guided hunts? Anyone to contact to almost "study" under and put the time in? Any actual opportunities? Any advice is appreciated.

If around $6000.00 is the amount he "DOES" have contact Mesquite Country Outfitters. It's not for me, I have a lease in that part of the country. I have only read about them, so do your own research.

Scratch that, I went to their website, 2021 was their last year. Go ahead and have a look at their site, what they produced and how they went about it.

I would say if the goal was to get a 160"+ deer, I would go with a reputable outfitter, likely 3-5 day hunt, in the $4k-7k plus depending on amenities ... I am also assuming low fence

Title of post excludes HF.

Look outside of Texas.
I took my 155" WT buck by just asking a LO about hunting. He granted permission.
Up this way WTs are not really in favor with LOs, they believe the WTs out compete mule deer and don't like them.
Access can be had, some good outfitted hunts too if you look around and WT tags are easier to draw in Wyoming.

Interesting, good info.

Go where the big deer are. My money would be on Kansas or Iowa, possibly southern Illinois or northern Missouri. I've taken two 150s in Kansas on private, non-outfitter land, and have pics of larger. For public land, I'd look at some of the midwest military installations like Fort Campbell or Fort Riley. I took a B&C from Campbell. Outfitters should be well-researched and trustworthy, with solid references. If you can, hunt the rut with a rifle, but think like a bowhunter.

Book WT is something that money has a hard time buying. Especially if the money is not high. That goal is very very lofty and most will take the unfulfilled goal to their grave. Personally, I would hate to think killing a book deer was my "only hunting goal". So much more to the experience.

a net book deer?

book a hunt with a guide that has proof of book deer.

most people dont realize the best outfitter/land are booked up way in advance. You're at the back of the list until the clients above you give up their spot or arent asked to come back

I thought this was about gambling.

I've met too many guys that the SCI "book" was their bible.

Nets are for fishing, Is perfect symmetry reach with optimum age and nutrition…. And is symmetry the true definer of areas with great, Age class, genetics and nutrition. Does the hunter define the animal or animal define the hunter or does it even matter if it was killed by a hunter…

Exactly why I have a front end replacement on my truck. My Chevy is my rifle. Bar ditches are my hunting grounds. You'd be surprised how many big bucks don't move in the glare of my highbeams. I have more B&C road kills than any ace to fly the skies.

ha, I was thinking more like the World Record Wild Horse Island Bighorn Ram

but technically you where hunting just not with rifle

Speaking of hows that Elk meat?

Elk blows whitetail out of the water. I'd say its better than axis, too.

So you are saying you are an elk hunter for now on

Depends which book. If he shoots it with a bow, the TBBR allows high fenced deer.



I think it's crazy how many categories of whitetail they have.

You have to go to where there are a larger percent of those the deer.

For example, a guy w a modest budget could pull this off in Kansas on public land w a bow

I know of 2 guys who have done it in the last few years, they both are Kansas regulars and they have been going for prob around 10 years

Draw, public land, take a week of vacation and go

And that would be my opinion be the best way to take a 160-170 deer, LF on a budget...

it can still be done on the top ranches in mexico pick one from the pipeline road to the river basically the best country in mexico and its cheap, regardless of what people say theres still a lot of people hunting there, travel during the day and follow other cars so there is a group, stay on the ranch and out of town and you should be fine, I hunted there for 30 or 31 years, loved every minute only reason I quit is hunting buddy passed

Contact a breeder and secure one of his culls.

To shoot a gross book deer, find a ranch in Maverick county and book a hunt. I know a ranch where you have an extremely good chance to kill a gross book (170”+) deer in 3-5 days. Seen them with my own eyes.

If you’re more on a budget, Wisconsin, Kansas, Ohio, Illinois, on a rut bowhunt. Eastern Colorado also has some big whitetail.

Saskatchewan and Alberta are good options to consider.

Thanks y'all, I will start to see if there is any availability in state and if not try my hand at the public land game.


"Hunt with a rifle, but think like a bowhunter" - will do.


I will check Kansas out, thank you.


Kansas x2, I'll certainly take a look. I did some hunting in Colorado years ago, maybe I need to head back out there.

Just a footnote on Kansas, while the rifle season doesn't begin until after the rut (first Wednesday after Thanksgiving), crossbows are legal during the general archery season.

Eastern Co is probably all leased up now, 30 years ago we hunted there and got permission by knocking on doors for mule deer.
Now you need an outfitter.
Those bucks get broken up pretty well too by rut, WTs that is.