So everybody has a theory on what to do about the lack of mature whitetail bucks in Vermont. The cover feature in the August issue of Outdoor Magazine examined the problem of shooting yearlings but for most, you are lucky to see anything but spikes or forks when hunting locally. Sure, we shoot some big bucks in this state but unfortunately, not many. A growing number of local hunters have discovered that if you really want a wall-hanger then traveling to Canada or at least out of state is well worth the investment.

There are a host of options available and the good news is, you don't have to be Bill Gates to afford a nice lodge, the services of an outfitter and a realistic opportunity for a book animal.

From a cost standpoint it's hard to beat the opportunities available in the rolling forested hills of New Brunswick. The border crossing at Houlton, Maine puts you in the heart of this province's best deer country and is little more than a half-day's drive from most of northern New England. Several good outfitters operate in this area and $1200 to $1300 will buy you an all-inclusive full week in the woods. The deer are big with mature bucks usually weighing in over 200 pounds and supporting heavy racks.

Quebec's Anticosti Island is another whitetail hunting hot spot. Hunt packages start in the $2000 to $2500 range for a fully guided American Plan hunt including airfare from either Mon-Joli on the Gaspe Peninsula or Montreal. There are three main outfitters and over 100,000 deer on the island, which is 35 miles wide and 138 miles long. Sepaq, run by the Quebec government, controls the most territory and hunts out of over 30 camp locations. Typically hunters drive to Mon-Joli (about 10 hours from Central Vermont) and then board a plane to cross the Bay of Ste Lawrence landing at Port-Menier, the island's only town. Cerf Sau and Safari Anticosti Outfitters, both privately owned and located on the east end of the island, are serviced by daily air service originating in Montreal. Most hunts are 4 days and 5 nights with 1x4 guide service. Sepaq does a good job and is a little less expensive but many veteran Anticosti hunters will tell you that the quality of the hunt and your opportunity for success on big bucks is better with the private outfits. In either case your license permits the taking of two deer and while it is true there are not a lot of 150 class animals, there are plenty of 10 &12 pointers taken that make the book every year.

Saskatchewan whitetails get a lot of press in sporting magazines and for good reason, just ask Milo Hanson. The hunts are relatively expensive when you factor in the travel costs, but the woods and farmlands of the central part of the province have a gene pool of monster bucks. Most hunts run $3000 to $4000 dollars however, for good accommodations and hunting, outfitter selection is critical. The rut in November generates the most opportunity but be forewarned it can be very cold and investing in warm hunting apparel may be part of your expense if you want to be comfortable. Baiting deer is legal in Saskatchewan and the highest success rates are with outfits who position hunters in blinds on the edge of fields where bait piles have been maintained since early fall. Deer drives are also popular and several quality outfits still offer "fair chase" hunts for the more traditional whitetail hunter.

If you would rather stay stateside, Montana probably has the best hunting for trophy whitetails in the lower 48. Costs are similar to a Saskatchewan hunt but the terrain and methods are entirely different. You must be in good shape if you really want to score on a big buck as they are usually hunted in the high country often in combination with elk. Typically, hunts are based out of spike camps accessible by horseback with wall tent accommodations. Good guides are paramount to success but with the right outfit Montana whitetail hunting can offer the adventure vacation of a lifetime.

Finally, places like Illinois, Iowa, South Dakota and even Pennsylvania have whitetail outfitters that will put you on trophy animals. Trips can be as inexpensive as $1000 including meals and lodging. Some states even offer multiple bag limits for two or even three deer. For archery and muzzleloader enthusiasts licenses are often available over the counter with more than reasonable success rates.

Complaining about the local deer herd probably won't change your odds for shooting a trophy whitetail but if that's what you want to do, there are places to hunt where deer hunters' dreams do come true.