The Buckeye State has slowly evolved into one of the finest whitetail-hunting hotspots in the country. Every year, hunters tag a plethora of goliath bucks that would make even the late, great Jack O'Connor sweat bullets. Many attribute this boom in big bucks to good management, while others maintain that it's just Ohio's time to shine.

Perhaps it's a little bit of both.

In 2005, Ohio hunters tagged 116,855 whitetails during gun season -- a slight drop, while the bow and primitive weapons harvests went up.

The following is a sampling of the finest big buck hotspots in the state for the 2006 deer gun season:

DEER CREEK WILDLIFE AREA
Deer Creek Wildlife Area in Pickaway, Fayette and Madison counties is one of the top deer-hunting hotspots in District One.

According to Dan Huff, an Ohio Division of Wildlife biologist, the Deer Creek Wildlife Area borders Deer Creek State Park.

"Hunters need to be aware that many sections of Deer Creek State Park are not open for public hunting, therefore, I recommend that they pick up a map indicating the areas that are open," suggested Huff.

Deer Creek Wildlife Area offers hunters approximately 4,085 acres of prime deer-hunting habitat. Most of the land is flat to gently rolling. It is comprised of second-growth timber, brush, crop fields and grassland.

According to Huff, the best hunting areas are those that border the state park.

"Deer frequently pass over the border, and that is a great place to pick up a trophy buck," he said.

Driving is not a popular means of harvesting whitetails at Deer Creek. According to biologists, most successful hunters still-hunt or stand-hunt. The keys to taking trophy-class deer here are persistence and patience.

Deer Creek Wildlife Area may be accessed by following state Route 207 to one of the several roads leading into the park. Parking is abundant in most areas.

Off Yankee Township Road, there is a shooting range open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Shooters can acquire a permit for the range by visiting any of the local stores that sell hunting licenses.

For camping or overnight accommodations, contact the Deer Creek State Park office at (740) 869-3124.

For maps or more information on the Deer Creek Wildlife Area, contact the ODOW's District One headquarters at (614) 644-3925.

LAKE LA SU AN WILDLIFE AREA
Lake La Su An in Williams County is considered to be the best District Two hunting area for whitetails.

Bill Roshak, a District Two wildlife biologist for the ODOW, pointed out that Lake La Su An contains 2,280 acres of huntable land and remains a popular place for whitetail fanatics in his district.

The Lake La Su An Wildlife Area is approximately two-thirds woods and brush lands and one-third croplands and meadows. There are 14 lakes and ponds and 30 wooded wetland areas. The terrain is slightly rolling and not difficult to navigate on foot.

Last year there were 864 whitetails harvested in Williams County. That number is down about 25 percent from the '04 season, but biologists are predicting a good year for the 2006 deer gun season.

La Su An Wildlife Area is easily accessible. Follow state Route 20 to state Route 576, and then turn left on county Road R, which passes the ODOW's headquarters and provides access to the southern end of the area.