{"id":35,"date":"2016-02-29T17:09:02","date_gmt":"2016-02-29T17:09:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tma65.com\/blog\/?p=35"},"modified":"2026-05-21T10:47:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T10:47:18","slug":"where-to-kill-boone-crockett-animals-in-the-united-states","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/where-to-kill-boone-crockett-animals-in-the-united-states\/","title":{"rendered":"Where to Kill Boone &amp; Crockett Animals in the United States"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We\u2019re&nbsp;going to name some of the major categories, rather than delve into lesser query like coues or blacktail deer. Not lesser in a sense that they have lesser value, just as a subspecies to some of the higher class families. And our focus is on horn, not hair.<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Remember, just by applying and receiving a tag, booking an outfitter, paying for a flight, and then all the other necessary fees, doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re also going to shell out extra cash for completed taxidermy on a Boone &amp; Crockett animal that your buddies will drive miles to see. But of course you&#8217;ll never know until you get out there after them.<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\"><div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p><span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/where-to-kill-boone-crockett-animals-in-the-united-states\/#WHITETAIL_DEER\" >WHITETAIL DEER<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/where-to-kill-boone-crockett-animals-in-the-united-states\/#BUFFALO_COUNTY_WISCONSIN\" >BUFFALO COUNTY, WISCONSIN<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/where-to-kill-boone-crockett-animals-in-the-united-states\/#MILK_RIVER_MONTANA\" >MILK RIVER, MONTANA<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/where-to-kill-boone-crockett-animals-in-the-united-states\/#MULE_DEER\" >MULE DEER<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/where-to-kill-boone-crockett-animals-in-the-united-states\/#MONTROSE_COUNTY_COLORADO\" >MONTROSE COUNTY, COLORADO<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/where-to-kill-boone-crockett-animals-in-the-united-states\/#SOUTHERN_UTAH\" >SOUTHERN UTAH<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/where-to-kill-boone-crockett-animals-in-the-united-states\/#ANTELOPE\" >ANTELOPE<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/where-to-kill-boone-crockett-animals-in-the-united-states\/#RED_DESERT_WYOMING\" >RED DESERT, WYOMING<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/where-to-kill-boone-crockett-animals-in-the-united-states\/#ELK\" >ELK<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/where-to-kill-boone-crockett-animals-in-the-united-states\/#COCONINO_NATIONAL_FOREST_ARIZONA\" >COCONINO NATIONAL FOREST, ARIZONA<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/where-to-kill-boone-crockett-animals-in-the-united-states\/#NORTHERN_NEW_MEXICO\" >NORTHERN NEW MEXICO<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/where-to-kill-boone-crockett-animals-in-the-united-states\/#MOOSE\" >MOOSE<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/where-to-kill-boone-crockett-animals-in-the-united-states\/#BROOKS_RANGE_MOUNTAINS_ALASKA\" >BROOKS RANGE MOUNTAINS, ALASKA<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"WHITETAIL_DEER\"><\/span>WHITETAIL DEER<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><\/p><p><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perhaps the most wide-ranging of these animals, <a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/first-case-of-cwd-found-in-wild-texas-whitetail-deer\/\" title=\"First Case of CWD Found in Wild Texas Whitetail Deer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">whitetail deer<\/a> roam from the Deep South to the Great White North and far west toward the Pacific. Plus, you can <a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/why-the-2-5-15x-rifle-scope-is-ideal-for-hunting\/\" title=\"Why the 2.5-15x Rifle Scope is Ideal for Hunting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunt whitetails with a rifle<\/a>, shotgun, muzzleloader, bow or crossbow.<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"BUFFALO_COUNTY_WISCONSIN\"><\/span>BUFFALO COUNTY, WISCONSIN<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p><\/p><p><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Buffalo County, Wisconsin, has long been heralded as the most productive county in the U.S. for killing record book whitetails. And even though such trends will shift geographically speaking over time, the chances for success are still very good with more than 300 record book bucks being killed over the past decade. Google \u201cDeer <a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/elk-hunting-techniques-for-open-range-hunts\/\" title=\"Elk Hunting Techniques for Open Range Hunts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hunting Buffalo County Wisconsin\u201d and a range<\/a> of outfitters will pop up. Take your pick, and good luck.<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"MILK_RIVER_MONTANA\"><\/span>MILK RIVER, MONTANA<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p><\/p><p><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not only is the Milk River region of Montana a big-buck mecca, it also happens to be an area that gives out-of-state and non-land-owning hunters an opportunity to still do it themselves without the expense of a guide or outfitter thanks to Montana\u2019s Block Management Program. This BPM is a land cooperative that exists between the Montana Fish, Wildlife &amp; Parks; private landowners and public land management agencies who grant free access to isolated parcels. Block Management areas range in size from 50 acres to the upwards of 100,000. If you choose this route, take a few extra days to just drive and scout. Drive and scout. There are plenty of giant whitetails to go around, and really just a lot of deer in general.<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"MULE_DEER\"><\/span>MULE DEER<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><\/p><p><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/coveted-4th-season-mule-deer-tag\/\" title=\"Coveted 4th Season Mule Deer Tag\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mule deer<\/a> inhabit the brush country of the west. Plan on doing a lot of glassing with a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tractoptics.com\/products\/binoculars\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">binocular<\/a>&nbsp;or spotting scope&nbsp;and exuding the ultimate virtue of <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/uses-for-a-low-power-variable-optic\/\">hunting<\/a> &#8211; patience. This doesn\u2019t mean there won\u2019t be a lot of footwork involved, because there&nbsp;typically will be. And though it\u2019s true that mulies don\u2019t see all that well, their hearing is excellent and sense of smell is foolproof. &nbsp;<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"MONTROSE_COUNTY_COLORADO\"><\/span>MONTROSE COUNTY, COLORADO<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p><\/p><p><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Montrose County is somewhat of a big-game hotspot with a large number of deer, elk, antelope and sheep. The varied terrain is perfectly suitable for all, especially giant mulies. We\u2019d recommend considering booking a hunt with a guide or outfitter as western <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/elk-hunting-where-to-how-to-why-to\/\">Colorado<\/a> is comprised of a lot of private land. True, there are plenty of public parcels as well, but mule deer are hard to find if you don\u2019t know where to look. Notable outfitters will have long-standing relationships with large landowners that can give you access to the mule deer buck of your dreams.<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"SOUTHERN_UTAH\"><\/span>SOUTHERN UTAH<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p><\/p><p><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Southern Utah perennially produces record book mule deer bucks, most of which are killed with a <a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/5-tips-to-get-yourself-ready-for-the-bow-season\/\" title=\"5 Tips to Get Yourself Ready for the Bow Season\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bow as the extended archery seasons<\/a> runs from early season well into the rut. Tags aren\u2019t necessarily low-hanging fruit in the many different management areas in southern Utah, but once drawn, the chances of toting home a 200\u201d mule deer are pretty good with a a lot of perseverance and a little bit of luck.<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Look to the Henry Mountains and Paunsaugunt for two of the best mule deer <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"hunting\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"274\">hunting<\/a> spots in the nation. It will likely take a few years of applying and racking up points before you draw a tag, but for a DIY mule deer <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/all-about-hog-hunting\/\" title=\"All About Hog Hunting\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"608\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hunt<\/a>, it\u2019s worth the wait to hunt southern Utah with a bow.<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"ANTELOPE\"><\/span>ANTELOPE<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><\/p><p><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Antelope bucks are extremely aggressive during the rut. The does only come into estrus for about two weeks, so you might imagine how they feel with a mere two weeks out of the whole year to breed. Pronghorn build a harem quickly and will die defending it. For this reason, we\u2019d suggest using a decoy to lure that next trophy antelope into your sights.<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"RED_DESERT_WYOMING\"><\/span>RED DESERT, WYOMING<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p><\/p><p><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wyoming has long been heralded the best state to hunt giant pronghorns. Despite the scarcity of water and vegetation, the Red Desert in Wyoming is home to the largest migratory antelope herd in the lower 48. Sixteen-inchers are most prevalent in Unit 60, with Unit 61 being a close second (some would argue the other way around). Mind you, it may take a few years to collect enough points to hunt there, but well worth the wait. And with all the moisture the country has seen throughout this El Nino winter, this coming season itself could be a record book year.<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"ELK\"><\/span>ELK<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><\/p><p><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"COCONINO_NATIONAL_FOREST_ARIZONA\"><\/span>COCONINO NATIONAL FOREST, ARIZONA<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p><\/p><p><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Perhaps the best public-land <a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/elk-hunting-tips-for-beginners\/\" title=\"Elk Hunting Tips for Beginners\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">elk hunting<\/a> lives in Arizona. Year after year, record bulls from Arizona are entered into the book. A popular spot is the Coconino National Forest; popular in that it has a lot of trophies yet hunters are generally dissuaded to hunt it due to motor traffic being illegal in the forest. If you\u2019re going to try Coconino, dedicate at least two weeks in order to hike in, scout, hunt and hopefully haul back out a bunch of meat and horns. And if you don\u2019t have that much time, the rest of the state also holds some really big bulls. In fact, some hunters and guides have designated Arizona as home to some of the biggest bulls on the planet.<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"NORTHERN_NEW_MEXICO\"><\/span>NORTHERN NEW MEXICO<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p><\/p><p><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The southern Rocky Mountains are an interesting landscape. Imagine walking around a bend and coming out onto a plateau and facing south, seeing nothing but flatlands all the way to the horizon. The weather is peculiar as well. You\u2019re liable to be wishing for the truck in October or in shirt sleeves in December. But if you don\u2019t like the weather in the Rocky Mountains, wait ten minutes, especially in a region where 300-inch bulls are regarded as \u201caverage.\u201d<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plenty of public land presents itself just south of the Colorado border. For many, elk hunting is not a solo endeavor. Should you find yourself the lone man in and don\u2019t care to hire a guide, get ready for some heavy hauling, considering you\u2019ve done your home- and legwork.<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"MOOSE\"><\/span>MOOSE<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p><\/p><p><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The hunt of all hunts! Going after moose anywhere is an extremely challenging yet rewarding experience for anyone willing to endure some of the toughest terrain and weather conditions this country has to offer. You likely won\u2019t be scaling mountains, but slogging through any country soaked to the bone is both physically and mentally exhausting. But we guarantee that if you\u2019re fortunate to tag a trophy book bull moose, even the weight of the world would be featherlight due to sheer joy. Quartering the carcass of a downed bull moose is the most fun manual labor on the planet.<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"BROOKS_RANGE_MOUNTAINS_ALASKA\"><\/span>BROOKS RANGE MOUNTAINS, ALASKA<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3><p><\/p><p><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Brooks Range Mountains, and just north into the Arctic Tundra, is some of the most majestic country in the world. As it\u2019s rich with wildlife due to the lack of a human presence, this region is not easily accessible. DIY hunts do exist though you\u2019ll still need to hire an outfitter to fly you in and pick you up. Several offer this service for a fair price.<\/p><p><\/p><p><\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We can\u2019t say enough about the preparation stage of one of these hunts. Any outfitter that offers self-guided hunts is going to test you before he drops you off out in the Last Frontier. Purchase the right equipment, know <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/videos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" title=\"how to\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"363\">how to<\/a> use a sharp knife and be in shape. The last of which we can\u2019t stress enough because endurance is the one thing that can get you over that next mountain and allow you to make a lethal shot on a trophy moose.<\/p><p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Where to Kill Boone &amp; Crockett Animals in the United States | TRACT design and engineer performance-grade optics without the added retail costs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":36,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-35","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12756,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35\/revisions\/12756"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}