Hunting in the winter brings unique challenges and opportunities. You can see the landscape in a whole new way, and you’ll have the opportunity to hunt species you can’t hunt in the summer. When you hunt during the winter, you’re pushing yourself, but you’re improving your skills as well. However, some spots are better than others, and chances are, it isn’t your favorite fall hunting ground. Here are the top spots in North America for cold weather hunting.
The Texas Hill Country
The Texas Hill Country is a popular place for wild game hunting because the state uniquely allows for exotic game hunting year-round. This means you can hunt everything from whitetail dear to bison to African species on a Texas ranch in the winter months. The only other place where it is relatively easy to hunt bison is in North Dakota.
South Dakota
Hunting for wild rooster in South Dakota over the winter isn’t easy, yet it is an excellent way to improve your hunting and tracking skills. There are plenty of wild roosters in the area, and South Dakota doesn’t require you to have a permit to hunt them. The only limit is the bag limit.
But before you go, make sure that you do your research on the best cold weather hunting clothes you’ll need, because you don’t want to suffer exposure. It’s almost as cold here as it is in Canada, so you’ll have to be thoroughly prepared and know the proper safety precautions as well.
Florida
Yes, Florida has a winter hunting season. If you don’t want to go hiking through the snow, turkey hunting in mild Florida winter weather is perfect for you. The Osceola turkey starts to become noisy in January, and they remain easy to hunt through March. A side benefit of an expedition to Florida is that there are plenty of opportunities to go fishing.
Arizona
Bobwhite quails used to be abundant in the southeastern United States. Fortunately, you can still find plenty in Arizona. Their population booms after the winter rains. This is why Arizona’s hunting season for them starts in November and lasts through January.
Montana
Montana’s hunting season for deer and bighorn sheep ends in November. However, that’s when the exciting hunting season begins for adventurers, because it is when mountain lion season starts. Mountain lion season runs through February. However, it is advised that you hire a guide because they can be elusive.
Nunavut
Nunavut is located in the Canadian tundra. This isn’t an adventure for the faint of heart, however. But if you want to hunt muskox, this is the only place in North America where you can do so.
They are often hunted during March when the weather is starting to climb back up toward freezing, and the muskox’s coat is vivid against the white snowy fields. If you want something else to do on your trip, take the time to observe polar bears and grizzlies.
North America is a rich and diverse continent. It offers some of the best winter hunting grounds in the world, no matter what type of environment you’d like to be in and the challenge you’re ready for.