Which State Is Ideal for a Hunting Trip?

Millions of Americans go out into the woods every year to hunt. This time-honored pastime helps keep food on the table, curbs overpopulation and is a meditative activity for many hunters. Today, we're looking at the best destinations for hunting across the United States.

Is Hunting Affordable?

That depends entirely on your definition of affordability. I will say that the best destinations for hunting are going to yield plenty of food for most households across the United States.

Is It Easy to Learn How to Hunt?

It is more a matter of having the patience and drive to hunt rather than learning how to operate a rifle. Marksmanship certainly helps, but learning how to wait it out and let the deer come to you is a vital skill.

Is Hunting Bad for the Environment?

Not at all, in most cases this is an act of conservation for most native ecologies in the United States. You can certainly go hunting without feeling a pang of guilt.

Can Anyone Hunt?

If you're comfortable trekking in the woods in the cold and dark while lugging a rifle and other supplies, then anyone can. Hunting isn't like other sporting events that demand top athleticism. A steady hand and patience go a long way.

Do You Need Lots of Gear to Hunt?

While playing dress up can be a blast for most hunters, that isn't the point of it. Some snacks, a dependable rifle, and some warm boots are going to be far better than spending thousands kitting yourself out.

50. Hawaii

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 1,995 (14% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $209,475 (2nd least of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 890 square miles (10th fewest of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: N/A
Total deer harvested in 2022: N/A

49. Connecticut

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 5,094 (5% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $402,510 (4th least of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 41 square miles (2nd fewest of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 19%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 10,445

48. Delaware

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 7,761 (13% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $615,575 (5th least of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 76 square miles (3rd fewest of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: N/A
Total deer harvested in 2022: 16,848

47. Rhode Island

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 8,642 (16% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $161,338 (the least of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 11 square miles (the fewest of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 61%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 2,705

46. Washington

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 17,879 (2% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $1,422,441 (9th least of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 16,879 square miles (12th most of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 23%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 23,425

45. Vermont

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 17,986 (10% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $1,082,197 (6th least of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 545 square miles (7th fewest of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 21%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 17,461

44. Massachusetts

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 22,314 (5% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $379,825 (3rd least of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 249 square miles (5th fewest of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 24%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 15,853

43. New Hampshire

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 24,480 (14% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $1,677,694 (11th least of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 1,060 square miles (13th fewest of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 18%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 14,082

42. New Jersey

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 25,337 (8% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $1,292,108 (7th least of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 1,585 square miles (20th fewest of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 28%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 38,324

41. Indiana

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 25,667 (6% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $2,998,052 (13th least of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 930 square miles (11th fewest of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 40%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 121,854

40. California

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 27,568 (3% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $1,342,387 (8th least of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 50,508 square miles (3rd most of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: N/A
Total deer harvested in 2022: 22,872

39. Florida

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 29,638 (9% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $1,708,530 (12th least of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 7,923 square miles (16th most of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 40%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 93,484

38. North Carolina

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 31,042 (9% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $3,065,332 (14th least of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 2,322 square miles (23rd fewest of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 47%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 163,831

37. Oklahoma

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 33,665 (9% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $6,447,425 (24th least of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 1,334 square miles (17th fewest of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 56%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 134,158

36. Louisiana

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 37,624 (7% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $1,674,634 (10th least of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 962 square miles (12th fewest of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 51%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 217,700

35. Maine

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 38,953 (16% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $3,591,001 (16th least of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 522 square miles (6th fewest of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 19%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 43,787

34. Nevada

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 39,144 (26% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $4,368,483 (17th least of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 74,664 square miles (2nd most of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 31%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 5,500

33. Virginia

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 49,764 (7% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $4,678,792 (19th least of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 3,393 square miles (23rd most of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 57%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 186,788

32. Minnesota

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 55,378 (4% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $4,524,901 (18th least of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 10,177 square miles (13th most of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 32%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 172,265

31. Utah

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 59,055 (13% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $9,381,174 (18th most of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 49,505 square miles (4th most of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 41%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 27,536

30. Maryland

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 69,347 (21% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $3,401,869 (15th least of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 174 square miles (4th fewest of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: N/A
Total deer harvested in 2022: 76,687

29. Alabama

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 71,212 (8% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $8,911,937 (20th most of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 1,303 square miles (16th fewest of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: N/A
Total deer harvested in 2022: 308,729

28. New York

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 74,720 (7% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $4,824,470 (20th least of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 7,173 square miles (18th most of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 30%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 231,961

27. Wyoming

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 76,602 (29% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $23,191,142 (4th most of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 40,308 square miles (8th most of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 42%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 29,315

26. Texas

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 83,243 (5% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $12,970,984 (10th most of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 6,745 square miles (19th most of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 64%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 680,671

25. Michigan

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 83,509 (4% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $5,431,851 (22nd least of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 9,963 square miles (14th most of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 50%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 339,189

24. Oregon

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 84,257 (7% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $7,474,126 (24th most of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 48,927 square miles (5th most of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: N/A
Total deer harvested in 2022: 29,751

23. Iowa

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 90,046 (13% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $8,620,865 (22nd most of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 1,211 square miles (15th fewest of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 42%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 109,600

22. Alaska

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 91,169 (16% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $12,274,324 (11th most of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 167,114 square miles (the most of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: N/A
Total deer harvested in 2022: N/A

21. Illinois

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 91,817 (6% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $16,746,726 (6th most of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 1,160 square miles (14th fewest of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 29%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 157,854

20. Arizona

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 96,698 (18% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $7,609,123 (23rd most of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 36,515 square miles (9th most of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 36%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 6,809

19. Ohio

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 97,436 (13% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $10,684,108 (15th most of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 1,426 square miles (19th fewest of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 41%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 210,973

18. Mississippi

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 97,553 (23% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $9,327,410 (19th most of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 2,851 square miles (25th fewest of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 61%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 262,830

17. Missouri

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 108,283 (7% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $13,950,779 (9th most of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 2,953 square miles (25th most of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 44%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 299,719

16. Nebraska

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 111,442 (28% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $10,606,910 (16th most of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 813 square miles (9th fewest of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 40%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 40,289

15. South Carolina

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 112,674 (12% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $5,805,512 (23rd least of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 1,746 square miles (22nd fewest of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 71%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 179,414

14. Pennsylvania

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 120,937 (5% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $7,361,669 (25th most of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 7,267 square miles (17th most of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 40%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 422,960

13. Kentucky

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 126,527 (23% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $11,882,351 (13th most of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 2,373 square miles (24th fewest of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 28%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 144,493

12. South Dakota

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 132,728 (34% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $15,561,869 (7th most of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 6,077 square miles (20th most of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 42%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 55,380

11. North Dakota

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 139,058 (25% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $6,940,545 (25th least of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 4,046 square miles (22nd most of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 53%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 30,031

10. Arkansas

Hunting Licenses Issued to Non-Residents in 2022: 152,329 (30% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Hunting License Total Sales for 2022: $11,906,167 (12th most of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 4,410 square miles (21st most of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 46%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 185,579

9. New Mexico

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 167,307 (33% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $14,890,329 (8th most of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 45,975 square miles (7th most of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 29%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 9,266

8. West Virginia

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 169,407 (23% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $5,414,317 (21st least of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 1,733 square miles (21st fewest of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 50%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 118,499

7. Tennessee

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 171,230 (12% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $11,359,997 (14th most of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 1,401 square miles (18th fewest of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 65%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 163,244

6. Georgia

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 180,995 (11% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $10,604,484 (17th most of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 2,989 square miles (24th most of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 57%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 271,211

5. Kansas

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 184,400 (42% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $19,151,284 (5th most of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 728 square miles (8th fewest of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 59%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 80,815

4. Montana

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 242,808 (22% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $31,822,706 (2nd most of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 34,355 square miles (10th most of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 41%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 45,369

3. Idaho

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 248,599 (21% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $24,809,335 (3rd most of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 47,424 square miles (6th most of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 35%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 42,770

2. Colorado

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 260,246 (32% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $68,199,461 (the most of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 31,086 square miles (11th most of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: N/A
Total deer harvested in 2022: 38,047

1. Wisconsin

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 282,662 (6% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 2022: $8,808,008 (21st most of 50 states)
Open government-controlled land: 8,383 square miles (15th most of 50 states)
Deer hunters who shot at least one deer in 2022: 27%
Total deer harvested in 2022: 340,282