Wyoming
Wyoming has many nicknames such as: Cowboy State, Big Wyoming, and now officially known as the Equality State. The state lies within the western region of the United States in the Mountain region and is home to the world famous Yellowstone National Park.
Wyoming is ranked the 10th largest state and has 97,814 square miles within 23 counties, and an impressive 126 species available for you to hunt. What’s great about the species in Wyoming is their diversity. From Snow Geese to Snowy Owls, there’s a ton of animals to be found here.
The state’s air is dry and pure, and prevailing clear weather sweeps throughout the countryside. The early summer and late spring is when most of the rainfall occurs with heavy snow in the winter. Wyoming’s average annual temperature is about 45 °F (7 °C) and the state’s highest and lowest temperatures recorded were 114 °F (46 °C) and -66 °F (-54 °C).
The terrain of Wyoming is mostly woodlands. Major landmarks such as the Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, and the Continental Divide can be found here. Not a bad trio.
The state’s highest elevation point is Gannett Peak at 13,809 feet above sea level. The point is located between Sublette and Fremont Counties. The lowest elevation point is at 3,099 feet above sea level on Belle Fourche River in Crook County.
What more do I need to say, it’s the Cowboy State! Step back into the old west with a trusty Winchester and find a trophy buck or bull and create a memory to last a lifetime.
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Wisconsin
Wisconsin has a couple of nicknames such as the Badger State and America’s Dairyland and is known for two things in particular; beer and cheese. A somewhat weird combination if you ask me; unless you throw in a venison burger. Now you’re talking!
This state is ranked the 23rd largest and has 65,497 square miles spread across 72 counties. There are 103 species available to hunt and trap including a large amount of waterfowl.
Long and severe winters usually take place in Wisconsin and the state’s summers offer a brief respite, hot and short. Lake Michigan influences the temperature in the eastern portion of the state with its cool air streams coming off of the water. Rainfall usually averages about 30 inches on an annual basis and the state’s highest and lowest temperatures recorded are 114 °F (46 °C) and -55 °F (-48 °C). Be sure to know what type of weather you’re heading into so that you’re best prepared with the proper equipment.
The terrain in this state is mostly made of rolling plains, woodlands, glacial hills, and valleys. The majority of the state is covered in forests (46%) which serve as perfect habitats for most of the available species.
The state’s highest elevation point is Timms Hill at 1,951 feet above sea level. The point is located near Highway 86, about 1 mile south of the highway. The lowest elevation point is at 579 feet above sea level on Lake Michigan.
If you haven’t been to Michigan, be prepared to be surprised and delighted. Hunting is serious business here, and in particular bow hunting. These guys get bored harvesting game with rifles and so they’ve decided to make it a little more challenging. They’d probably try throwing knives but when it’s 20 below, the bow is challenge enough.
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West Virginia
At one time this state was just a region of Virginia and not its own state. At the onset of the Civil War what now is West Virginia broke off from its mother state to remain in the Union. It is known as the Mountain State and is the birthplace to the popular moniker ‘Redneck.’ Believe it or not, Jeff Foxworthy didn’t come up with the term. It was coined by miners years ago standing up to the mine owners by wearing red bandanas to show their unity. Now-a-days miners still make up an important part of the state’s industry.
Just as important to the state is the amount of outdoor activities available. Visitors and residents alike can enjoy whitewater rafting, hiking, mountain biking, mountain climbing, fishing, skiing, and the-all-important hunting.
55 counties make up this smaller state and cover 24,230 square miles. 90 different species can be hunted here, and coupled with the mountainous terrain, provide an exciting adventure.
The state has a general humid part-tropical climate in most of the lower elevations. The average annual rainfall ranges from 32 inches in the lower east portion of the state to 55 inches in higher elevations of the Allegheny Front. The Allegheny Highlands can average about 180 inches of snowfall annually. The state’s highest and lowest temperatures recorded were 112 °F (44 °C), and -37 °F (-38 °C).
Similar to most other states, the state of West Virginia has a diverse terrain. Mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, valleys, fields and farmland can be found through-out. The Allegheny Plateau and Cumberland Plateau cover a total of 75% of the state and are rugged, closed-in lands.
The state’s highest elevation point is Spruce Knob at 4,863 feet above sea level and is located in Pendleton County. The lowest elevation point is Harpers Ferry at 240 feet above sea level. The point is near the Potomac River in Jefferson County.
If you enjoy mountain hunting in places that are a bit off of the beaten path then look no further then West Virginia.
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Washington
The Evergreen State - named after our first president (the only president with a state namesake) is home to the Puget Sound and the Cascades, two of the most remarkable landmarks in the country. Not to mention the Pacific Ocean to the west that provides some of the best fresh fish you can find. This state was founded by loggers and sailors that worked hard and played harder and that culture is alive and well today in the citizens of Washington. And, one of their favorite past times is hunting, which there is plenty of.
The state of Washington is ranked the 18th largest state and consists of 39 counties across 71,300 square miles. A whopping 163 species can be hunted including all three major types of deer, White-tailed, Mule, and Black-tailed. Washington is one of the two states this is possible in.
The east side of the state’s climate is extremely different from the west side. The cascades with their majestic heights and volcano peaks manage to drain all the moisture out of the clouds moving east and have created a dry, desert like environment in the south-eastern portion. Everything west of the mountain range and north experiences rain year round (the record for consecutive days without rain is a little over 30) and is covered in lush forests. In fact, 40% of Washington’s land is covered in rain forests! Another example of how wet the Washington climate can be is the The Olympic Peninsula which receives annual precipitation of 160 inches. This is the wettest area in the lower 48.
The state’s highest elevation point is Mount Rainier at 14,411 feet above sea level. It is located 54 miles southeast of Seattle. The lowest elevation point is at even sea level on the Pacific Ocean. Whatever you’re looking for, Washington has it. Just bring a rain slicker and not an umbrella, locals gave up on those years ago and you don’t want to stick out like a green horn.
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Virginia
Believe it or not, at one time bison could be found roaming the hills of Virginia. They quickly receded west, but many other animals have maintained their populations in this eastern state that has a history as rich as any of the 50. From its early settlement it has been an agricultural state and maintains that position today.
The state has a couple of nicknames, Old Dominion, Mother of Presidents and my personal favorite, the Lovers’ State. Hunters grab your spouses and enjoy a romantic get-away stalking white-tailed deer and sitting in duck blinds!
A great place to start your hunting adventure is the Shenandoah National Park. Even if you come up empty you’ll still be able to enjoy one of the prettiest areas in the country.
The commonwealth of Virginia is ranked the 35th largest state in the country and consists of 42,774 square miles across 95 counties which are home to 106 hunting eligible species.
The weather can be humid in the summer with occasional thunderstorms and even hurricanes due to the Gulf Stream off of the eastern coast. The mountains in the state have very cool air masses in the winter and experience heavy snow fall.
Virginia’s terrain is quite diverse, as can be expected from a state bordering an ocean. A little known fact however is that over 4,000 caves can be found. Watch out for the bats! In addition, many terrain structures such as Cumberland Plateau, Blue Ridge Mountains, Great Appalachian Valley, Massanutten Mountain, Ohio River basin, Tidewater areas, and the Piedmont areas can be found. Virginia also consists of multiple trees and plants such as: maple, chestnut, mountain laurel, tulip poplar, daisies, a varied species of ferns, and milkweed.
The state’s highest elevation point is Mount Rogers at 5,279 feet above sea level and the lowest elevation point is at even sea level on the Atlantic Ocean. Hunting aside, this is an awesome state to come visit. The history alone is worth the trip. And if you really want to have a once in a life-time experience, try some black powder hunting in the same woods that George Washington and Thomas Jefferson used to frequent, it doesn’t get any better!
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