Americans are fortunate to have pockets of great hunting lands that stretch across the country from the Atlantic to the Pacific. For most dedicated hunters, good hunting is never more than a short drive away. Hunting prized game animals in some areas requires powerful rifles and long range hunting scopes, but in many parts of the country, little more than a shotgun is required to have chance to bring home quality game.

However, as more hunters have gotten comfortable with their local hunting hot spots, the industry of hunting tourism has come into prominence. Many hunters are using their vacation time to journey to some of the top hunting grounds in the world. Fortunately, Americans don’t have to travel far, since you can take a variety of game at some of the best places to hunt in the United States. All you need is a good rifle and hunting scope combination and your preferred method of travel to unlock the top hunting destinations in the country. Keep reading to learn more about the top 5 hunting destinations in America.

South Carolina for Whitetail Bucks

While some other parts of the country such as the Midwest may have bigger trophy whitetail deer, there’s nowhere like South Carolina for the sheer volume of quality bucks to be harvested. Iowa and Illinois may be the home of monster trophy bucks, but the Palmetto State is full of quality bucks waiting to be harvested as well. Almost three-quarters of all South Carolina buck hunts end with a successful kill, which is indicative of the well-managed deer population and the natural characteristics that make South Carolina a prime habitat for whitetails to flourish.

Oregon for Bighorn Sheep

Bighorn sheep represent the Holy Grail of hunting for many enthusiasts, as just earning the right to hunt one of the crafty, cagey animals involves a heavy measure of luck and good fortune. Many people enter their names in the tag drawing for decades without winning a chance to hunt a bighorn. Even when you do get a tag, harvesting the sheep is not guarantee. They inhabit inhospitable terrain, the shooting conditions involved are notoriously difficult, and the sheep numbers are few despite careful management of the herd. Hunting bighorn in Oregon is a once in a lifetime experience that is well worth the trip to the Pacific Northwest.

Arizona for Elk

The elk is another tough game animal that requires determination and skill to pursue successfully. Arizona represents one of the most rugged environments for elk hunting but finishing the hunt with a massive beast in tow makes the effort worthwhile. Arizona in world-renowned for producing top-rated bull elk. You’ll need to be successful in a tag lottery to earn the chance to hunt the majestic Arizona elk. If you’re successful, make sure to bring a powerful rifle and one of your top-rated hunting scopes, as you’ll need to make long, flat shots over desolate terrain with undulating ridges.

Montana for Bear

Montana, particularly the northwest corner of the state, is known as a bear hunting gold mine, where 9 out of 10 hunters successfully end their hunts with a black bear in tow. You’re almost guaranteed to see a bear, and with terrain that favors the hunter rather than the bear, your chances of taking your quarry is high if you play your cards right. Flathead Lake and the area around Glacier National Park of the Pacific Northwest represent some of the top hunting areas for black bear.

Texas for Whitetails

While there are places that may offer a better chance at a buck with a monster rack, no other state boasts the deer hunting success of the Lone Star State. Texas is routinely at the top of the list of states with the most bucks and hornless deer harvested, and they are regularly in the Boone and Crockett top 10 for quality racks. Also, there are nearly two million acres of public land that can be hunted. If you want a guaranteed chance to take a quality buck while still having a chance at a Boone and Crockett sized rack, Texas is the place to go for your next deer hunting junket.

If you want to venture out of your hunting comfort zone and see what America has to offer in variety of game and hunting terrain, try one of these destinations for your next trip. While you're visiting the best hunting destinations in America, don't forget to purchase the best optics from our store! https://shop.theopticzone.com/categories/shop-all.html.