Deer can be hunted in nearly every state, and most states sell deer licenses over the counter to residents. The bigger questions are which species and which country: whitetails in farm and forest country, mule deer in the open West, or Coues deer in the desert Southwest.
| Deer | Where | How It’s Hunted |
|---|---|---|
| Whitetail | Nearly every state | Stands, blinds, still-hunting |
| Mule deer | Western states | Glassing and stalking |
| Coues whitetail | Southwest deserts | Long glassing sessions |
Whitetail country
The Midwest, the South and the Northeast hold most of the country’s whitetails. Hunters usually set up treestands or ground blinds along trails between bedding and feeding areas, especially during the rut.
Mule deer country
Mule deer live in open, broken country in the West. Many western states issue the best mule deer tags through a draw, so plan applications early in the year.
Chronic wasting disease
Chronic wasting disease is a fatal prion disease of deer, elk and moose. As of April 2025 it had been detected in 36 states. Many states require testing in affected areas and limit moving carcasses across state lines, so check the rules before bringing a deer home. A U.S. Geological Survey study of Wyoming mule deer found that harvesting a high share of adult bucks each year is expected to keep infection rates low.
Hunt4 Deer.com is written by hunters, not lawyers. Always check the current regulations with the state wildlife agency.