We are 30th out of 45 states that have whitetail.

It would be interesting to see how are ranking has changed or not changed over the last 20 years.

Also, this horrble soil produces plenty of fine deer in the same period of time that it takes them to reach similar size in neighboring states. The soil may not be the best, but it certainly isn't as bad as some would have you think. Look at rkenney's comment in this thread as an example. If it were as poor as advertised bucks of any size would be very uncommon.

AAgree,what else could it be?More and more hunters interested in "quality"bucks?BUt the super soils do play a big role for really big bucks.BTW,there are some places in middle and west Tn with very good soils,its not all rocks and cedar trees!

Let's be honest...Tn., will never be a trophy state. Or should I say in the top 10 now will it... But it is getting better...

I want to see the top five states......

TOP TEN WHITETAIL STATES OF ALL-TIME
STATE 1830-2001 1830-1979 1980-2001

1. Iowa 615 108 507
2. Minnesota 608 315 293
3. Wisconsin 589 194 395
4. Illinois 552 43 509
5. Texas 316 157 159
6. Missouri 285 41 244
7. Kentucky 279 37 242
8. Kansas 255 20 235
9. Ohio 235 36 199
10. Michigan 155 55 100

Sorry Football Hunter, this list is B&C entries only and stops at 2001.

Ok,still gives a good idea.Always surprised Indiana isnt on that list,its completly surrounded by those states.

Looks like KY was seven,we were about thirty,makes you scratch your head,such different neighbors.Wish those glaciers would have come on south a little more.

Good point. Looks like they have caught up since 2001 going by 8 point's link.

Yep,another interesting thing about that list,Ky is #10,the next "southern "state is Ga at #20.There is a name for this.In general,animals get bigger as you go north.For instance a black bear in Canada is normally much bigger than one in Tn or SC.Same with deer,just cant think of what thats called,Bowriter said it one time.

Well ,yes Im sure they have more fur,but the farther north you go,mammals are much larger in general.300 lb plus deer are fairly coomoun up north,very rare here.Works the opposite with fish,think Michigan bass to Florida bass.

Yep,another interesting thing about that list,Ky is #10,the next "southern "state is Ga at #20.There is a name for this.In general,animals get bigger as you go north.For instance a black bear in Canada is normally much bigger than one in Tn or SC.Same with deer,just cant think of what thats called,Bowriter said it one time.

Not always true, just a small example Ruffed Grouse in the southern Appalachians are larger then their northern counter parts.

Yep,another interesting thing about that list,Ky is #10,the next "southern "state is Ga at #20.There is a name for this.In general,animals get bigger as you go north.For instance a black bear in Canada is normally much bigger than one in Tn or SC.Same with deer,just cant think of what thats called,Bowriter said it one time.

We are 30th out of 45 states that have whitetail.

the btr scoring systems has an article July 2009, " top boneyards in america" that give the ranking for the most entries in the last few years. I wish I could provide a link to the article. Remember, The BTR gives full credit, so a lot more quality bucks are entered.
It showed the rankings as followed. :
1- Ill
2- oh
3 - louisana
4- indiana
5- kansas
6 miss
7- ky
8- n carolina
9- ark
10- texas
Can any of ya'll computer literate folks find this article ( July 09) and post the link?

Looks like those glaciers jumped over us, both ways to N Carolina, Ark, and Miss!!!!

Its called Bergsmanns rule!
But its interesting to note that in Nova Scotia, the body size are huge, but antlers are small. As you travel West, then the antlers seem to get bigger.

If it were all about soils, the South Texas deer would all be spikes, that is some pooooooor ground, without moisture down there.

If Ky is 10th and GA is 20th how did we get hooped by those glaciers at 30th LOL!

Yes,Bowriter said it was Brugermans law.

Saw one QDM show,I think it was QDM,anyway,they were talking about Texas,how poor it looked,but turns out many of those thorn bush looking trees and bushes are actually highly nutritious for the deer.Go figure.

keeping "score" & competing have created the trophy hunter mindset that we see today,i don't worry about how big my neighbors is & he shouldn't worry about how big mine is, ,as long as were both having fun we don't need to be jealous of others.other things besides wife's can be coveted.mike243

Just because someone likes to see someone else's deer doesn't mean they are jealous or coveting it. Some people enjoy sharing the excitement. I have been as happy for others when they get a big deer as I would have if I killed it. I see nothing wrong with a friendly competition if some enjoy that. Without competition not to many sports would be left. I guess it all depends on how you look at neighbors or friends deer. Your mindset does not describe the way I look at others deer. I just enjoy looking at them.

Indiana had a three buck limit just a few years ago.

We didn't... they just have better hunters in those states, LOL