A great hunting and fishing trip requires quite a bit of planning. You need to ensure you get the right permits sometimes months before your journey. Here we look at the upcoming hunt and fish seasons and the best places to go turkey, deer, and elk hunting, as well as trout fishing. Please keep in mind that each state has its own hunting and fishing regulations and dates that should be double-checked before your trip.
Recommended: How to Get a Hunting License
1. Turkey Hunting
- When to Go: March-May
- Where to Go: East-Central Mississippi
The east-central portion of the state is particularly bountiful. This area is characterized by outstanding turkey country and consistently reports some of the state’s highest harvest densities. Turkey hunters in the know anticipate that the 2023 spring season will be an improvement over years past too. The good hatch rates in 2020 through 2022 are expected to equate to an overall uptick in turkey numbers.
While many public lands in the east-central portion of the state are worthy of a turkey hunting trip, Bienville National Forest is a standout. This park provides nearly 180,000 acres of habitat perfect for wild turkeys to thrive. Note that hunting in the Bienville Wildlife Management Area requires drawing a permit during the first two weeks of the season.
2. Trout Fishing
- When to Go: April-September
- Where to Go: East Walker River, California
Trout fishing and California practically go hand-in-hand. While there are plenty of fantastic places to cast your trout line in the Golden State, we have our eyes on the Eastern Sierras, in particular, a spot called East Walker River.
This is the largest river trout in the region, and arguably the best moving water trout fishery in the state. The East Walker has recently posted off-the-chart trout growth rates. Also feeding the growth rates are the substantial population of Sacramento Perch, Carp, and Mountain Whitefish. These species make for massive sources of protein for the huge predatory brown trout that lurk in the large bends and pools. All taken together, the East Walker has a well-earned reputation for a healthy population of huge brown trout.
If you can, cast your line in the “miracle mile.” This is slower-moving water just below the Bridgeport Reservoir dam. This section of the East Walker requires more technical fishing compared to other local waters. As such, we recommend this area to experienced fly fishers. Novice anglers are advised to take to other nearby waters in the area that are also bountiful, including the several miles past the “miracle mile,” which are far less fished and at times as good or better than the waters at the dam.
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3. Elk Hunting
- When to Go: October-November
- Where to Go: Grand County, Colorado
Northern Colorado has some of the best elk hunting in the country. Grand County, encompassing most of the Middle Park area, is the crown jewel of northern Colorado elk hunting.
Grand County and Middle Park witness the largest migratory herd of elk in North America. Hunters have enjoyed successful hunts in this area, known for its abundance of deer and elk, since early Native American times all the way to the present day.
While the population of elk increases your chances of taking prey, the hunt itself may not be easy due to the weather and terrain. The weather in this area can change rapidly. Higher elevations receive more precipitation than ones not much further down the mountain. Expect dropping temperatures after dark and a possible autumnal snowfall. When heavy snowfall descends, expect to find elk in the lower elevations. With fair weather, the herds are likely to remain widely dispersed and typically at higher elevations.
The terrain is steep to very steep. Plan on bringing a four-wheel drive vehicle and tire chains. Also plan on walking a bit, since better hunting can be had at least a half mile from the roads.
4. White-Tailed Deer Hunting
- When to Go: November- December
- Where to Go: Milford Lake, Kansas
Kansas has been growing giant deer for some time. The state produces an abundance of food that deer rely on to flourish. In fact, some of the biggest bucks in the country are tagged in the Sunflower State.
While there are plenty of places to take down a monster buck state-wide, a tract of public hunting land guaranteed to produce quality deer is Milford Lake in the northeast. The varied terrain, woodlands, miles of shoreline, and waterways create a bountiful setting for a variety of game hunting, including pheasant, quail, prairie chickens, turkey, waterfowl, and of course white-tailed deer. In fact, this region has been named one of the Top 5 public hunting locations for whitetail deer in the entire country.
The majority of the hunting lands are located on the west side of Milford Lake, with some also on the north end. Fortunately, much of the area is very easy to access and the terrain is also relatively easy to traverse.
Are you ready for your adventure? Plan your camping trip!