TOP 5 STATES FOR PRIVATE LAND HUNTING IN 2026

Planning your 2026 hunting trip? Most “best hunting states” lists get one thing right — they tell you where the game is.

But they miss the thing that actually determines whether you’ll have a successful hunt: access.

The best state isn’t the one with the biggest bucks or the most elk. It’s the state where you can actually get on quality ground — without competing with hundreds of hunters, paying outfitter prices, or relying on a buddy’s uncle for permission.

Public land crowding is at an all-time high. Outfitter rates keep climbing. And land access is harder than ever to come by. So for 2026, we ranked the top hunting states based on a simple truth:

Great hunting is only great if you can hunt it.

These are the top 5 states for private land hunting in 2026, based on game quality + private land availability + non-resident accessibility + hunter experience — and how to book real hunts in each state through LandTrust.

LandTrust connects you with private hunting land across 40+ states and 1,000,000+ acres — with no outfitter fees, no public land crowds, and no handshake leasing required.

‍

QUICK ANSWER: TOP 5 STATES FOR PRIVATE LAND HUNTING IN 2026

If you’re looking for the best places to book private land hunting in 2026, start here:

1. Texas (best overall private land hunting access)
   
   
2. Montana (best private land elk + big game mix)
   
   
3. Wisconsin (best private land whitetail value)
   
   
4. Kansas (best trophy whitetail sleeper state)
   
   
5. Colorado (best OTC elk state — private land fixes the crowding problem)

‍

STATE-BY-STATE QUICK REFERENCE (2026 PLANNING CHEAT SHEET)

Texas
Top species: Whitetail, hogs, exotics, dove, turkey
Non-resident access: Very easy
Approximate non-resident license cost: $315 license + $48 tag
Typical private land day rate: $75–$300/day
Draw required: No

Montana
Top species: Elk, mule deer, pronghorn, whitetail
Non-resident access: Moderate
Approximate non-resident license cost: $1,000+ combos
Typical private land day rate: $150–$500/day
Draw required: Sometimes

Wisconsin
Top species: Whitetail
Non-resident access: Very easy
Approximate non-resident license cost: Under $200
Typical private land day rate: $50–$200/day
Draw required: No (most areas)

Kansas
Top species: Trophy whitetail
Non-resident access: Moderate
Approximate non-resident license cost: Varies
Typical private land day rate: $100–$275/day
Draw required: Yes (NR archery)

Colorado
Top species: Elk, mule deer, bear
Non-resident access: Very easy (OTC units)
Approximate non-resident license cost: $700+
Typical private land day rate: $200–$450/day
Draw required: Some OTC, some draw

Note: License fees vary year to year — always confirm with each state agency.

‍

1. TEXAS: THE PRIVATE LAND HUNTING PARADISE
   
   

If there’s a capital of private land hunting in America, it’s Texas — and it’s not even close.

Texas isn’t just one of the best states for hunting. It’s a different world: more private land, more species variety, and more year-round opportunity than any other state in the country.

If you can only hunt one state in 2026, Texas is your move.

WHY TEXAS TOPS THE LIST

Texas is a private land hunting culture. It’s built into the DNA of the state.

• 95% of Texas is private land, which means the hunting system is designed around landowner-managed access
• Long seasons and multiple species opportunities make trip planning easy
• Diversity is unmatched:
– Whitetail deer (millions statewide — plus trophy genetics)
– Exotics like axis deer, blackbuck, and aoudad (many with no tag requirement)
– Wild hogs (year-round hunting, no limit)
– Rio Grande turkey
– Waterfowl
– Dove (arguably the best dove hunting in the U.S.)

Texas gives you options. When deer hunting slows down, you can chase hogs. When the rut isn’t firing, you can run a predator hunt or book a dove shoot.

PRIVATE LAND HUNTING ACCESS IN TEXAS (LANDTRUST ADVANTAGE)

Texas is also one of the strongest states for booking private land hunts directly through LandTrust — because landowners are already accustomed to hosting hunters.

On LandTrust, you’ll find properties across:

• South Texas: trophy whitetail country
• Hill Country: whitetail + turkey + exotics
• East Texas: big woods bucks + hogs
• Panhandle: mule deer and pronghorn opportunities
• Coastal Texas: waterfowl, hogs, deer

Typical pricing: $75–$300/day depending on species, acreage, and exclusivity.

Non-resident friendly: no drawing required, and licenses are easy to purchase.

(Quote placeholder: Texas landowner quote about hosting out-of-state hunters)

WHAT SETS TEXAS APART FOR PRIVATE LAND HUNTERS

Texas landowners think like land managers. Many manage habitat, food sources, and access rules the way an outfitter would — without the outfitter markup.

And because so little hunting relies on public land, you’ll often experience:

• Less pressure
• Consistent access
• Better success rates
• Multi-species trips without travel logistics

This is what private land hunting is supposed to feel like.

PRO TIP: WHEN TO BOOK TEXAS FOR 2026

Book prime whitetail dates 8–12 weeks in advance (especially November–December).

If you want better value, hunt January–February: fewer hunters, strong late-season movement, and often lower rates.

‍

2. MONTANA: THE WESTERN BIG GAME MECCA
   
   

If Texas is private land hunting access at its peak, Montana is where you go when you want a true Western big game experience.

Montana offers some of the best combinations of elk, mule deer, whitetail, pronghorn, and bears.

But the real challenge is the same thing every out-of-state hunter runs into: access.

WHY MONTANA RANKS #2

Montana has serious trophy potential:

• Elk (big bulls exist here — and plenty of them)
• Mule deer with exceptional genetics in eastern breaks country
• Whitetail in river valleys and ag land
• Pronghorn across the plains

Montana’s seasons are long enough to give you real flexibility, and the terrain ranges from mountains to plains to river bottoms — meaning you can tailor your hunt to your style and fitness level.

THE ACCESS CHALLENGE (AND WHY PRIVATE LAND MATTERS)

Montana is roughly 70% private land. While there are public access programs, some areas are difficult to hunt without connections.

Outfitters commonly charge $5,000–$15,000+ for elk hunts.

LandTrust gives you another option: book a private land hunt directly.

Typical LandTrust pricing in Montana: $150–$500/day

You can find:

• Eastern Montana ranches (pronghorn, mule deer, whitetails)
• Transitional properties (elk + deer)
• Select western ranch inventory (book early — it goes fast)

(Quote placeholder: Montana landowner quote about lower pressure on private ranches)

NON-RESIDENT CONSIDERATIONS

Montana is one of the pricier states for non-residents, but it can still be a strong value compared to guided hunts.

• Big Game Combo runs $1,000+
• Some tags are general, some are draw
• Best for hunters who want a true Western hunt without outfitter costs

PRO TIP: MONTANA BOOKING TIMELINE

Apply for licenses by April 1, and book properties early — January–February is the sweet spot for best selection.

Eastern Montana ranches often offer the best value and success rates.

‍

3. WISCONSIN: THE MIDWEST WHITETAIL POWERHOUSE
   
   

Wisconsin is one of the best states to hunt deer — and it’s still one of the best values for non-residents.

If you want classic Midwest whitetail habitat, real rut activity, farm-and-woodlot deer movement, and a culture built around deer season, Wisconsin delivers.

WHY WISCONSIN IS A TOP-TIER DEER STATE

Wisconsin combines high deer numbers with long seasons and manageable costs.

Hunting opportunities include:

• Archery (mid-September through early January)
• Gun season (a legendary 9-day tradition in late November)
• Muzzleloader
• Youth and special hunts

NON-RESIDENT STRATEGY

Wisconsin is one of the most non-resident-friendly deer states on this list:

• Under $200 total for license + tag
• No draw for most hunts
• Best booking window: gun season properties often book by August

PRIVATE LAND ACCESS IN WISCONSIN

Wisconsin is around 60% private land. Much of it is small-to-medium farms and managed woodlots — perfect for private hunting setups.

LandTrust makes it easier to book:

• Southern Wisconsin: ag country with high deer density
• Central Wisconsin: classic whitetail habitat
• Northern Wisconsin: big woods, fewer deer, bigger reward

Typical pricing: $50–$200/day

(Quote placeholder: Wisconsin hunter quote about pressure differences)

PRO TIP: WISCONSIN GUN SEASON VS RUT TIMING

If you want the culture, book private land during gun season.

If you want your best shot at mature bucks, hunt late October through mid-November during peak rut movement.

‍

4. KANSAS: THE TROPHY WHITETAIL SLEEPER
   
   

Kansas doesn’t always get the hype Iowa and Illinois get — but it consistently produces big deer, with fewer crowds and more affordable access.

If your 2026 goal is a trophy whitetail hunt, Kansas is one of the best states to hunt deer — especially on well-managed private land.

WHY KANSAS IS A TROPHY CONTENDER

Kansas is known for:

• Mature buck age structure
• Quality Deer Management culture
• Strong genetics
• Excellent rut timing (mid-November)

The sleeper-state advantage is real: fewer non-residents chase Kansas the way they chase Iowa, so hunting pressure can be lower.

PRIVATE LAND IS THE WHOLE GAME

Kansas is almost entirely private land. That creates scarcity — but it also creates quality.

WIHA access helps, but the best deer in Kansas are on private farms and ranches with management history.

LandTrust properties are most common in:

• Eastern Kansas timber + ag
• Central Kansas creek bottoms and farmland

Typical pricing: $100–$275/day

(Quote placeholder: Kansas landowner quote about trophy management)

NON-RESIDENT DRAW CONSIDERATIONS

Kansas typically requires a draw for non-resident archery tags, but odds are often manageable.

• Apply in April
• Build preference points
• Strategy: focus on eastern units for best habitat

PRO TIP: KANSAS IS AN ARCHERY STATE

If you draw, hunt the first two weeks of November. That’s when Kansas giants are moving in daylight.

Book private land with landowners who have trail cam history — it can make the difference in a short trip window.

‍

5. COLORADO: THE BEST OTC ELK STATE (PRIVATE LAND FIXES THE CROWDS)
   
   

Colorado is on this list for one reason: you can plan an elk hunt without waiting years for a draw.

Colorado also holds the largest elk herd in North America, which makes it one of the best elk hunting states overall.

But there’s a catch: OTC tags mean crowded public land.

WHY COLORADO ROUNDS OUT THE TOP 5

Colorado offers:

• High elk numbers
• Long seasons
• Multiple weapon options
• Easy travel logistics (Denver is a hub airport)

For first-time Western hunters, Colorado often feels like the most doable elk hunt you can realistically plan.

THE PUBLIC LAND PROBLEM

When thousands of hunters can buy tags, they do — and the most popular OTC units can feel like a zoo.

Private land solves that.

Private ranch access often means:

• Fewer hunters
• Better movement patterns
• Easier terrain access
• Higher success rates

LANDTRUST’S COLORADO PRIVATE LAND ACCESS

LandTrust Colorado inventory is strongest in:

• Western Slope (elk + mule deer)
• Central mountains
• Eastern plains (pronghorn + deer)
• San Luis Valley

Typical pricing: $200–$450/day for elk properties.

PRO TIP: BOOK 2ND OR 3RD RIFLE SEASON

For a strong private land advantage, book a ranch for second or third rifle season — elk pushed from public land often stack on private.

For archery, focus on mid-September (rut).

‍

HONORABLE MENTIONS: STATES 6–10

Iowa: Elite whitetails, but hard for non-residents to draw (often 2–4 years).
Wyoming: Excellent pronghorn and mule deer, better draw odds than many states.
South Dakota: Pheasants + deer + waterfowl — one of the best all-around states.
Alaska: Ultimate adventure hunts, but private land is minimal and costs are extreme.
Pennsylvania: Huge deer harvest and strong public land access, less need for private.

‍

CONCLUSION: THE BEST HUNTING STATE IS THE ONE YOU CAN ACTUALLY HUNT

The top 5 states for private land hunting in 2026 are Texas, Montana, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Colorado.

Each offers world-class species opportunities — but more importantly, each offers enough private land hunting potential that you can realistically book and hunt it, even as a non-resident.

Because at the end of the day, the best hunting state isn’t about stats.

It’s about stepping onto ground you can hunt — and knowing you’re not fighting crowds to do it.

READY TO PLAN YOUR 2026 HUNT?

Browse private hunting land by state on LandTrust to find hunts that match your budget, target species, and travel window.