Which State Is the Best for Bow Hunters?

Bow hunting is one of the more primordial means of hunting available in the modern era. That said, there are some definite benefits to becoming a bow hunter. With that in mind, let's take a look at the best states for bow hunters.

Hunting is an increasingly popular pastime in the United States. According to the FWS, licensed hunters hit a 35-year high, topping 15.9 million for the first time since 1987. Hunting is also big business in the United States.

Americans spent $1.1 billion on hunting licenses, stamps, tags, and permits in 2022 alone. Deer are by far the most commonly hunted game in the U.S., and while most deer are harvested with a rifle or a shotgun, more than 1.5 million deer were taken with a bow in 2022.

Bow hunting offers a higher degree of challenge, which some hunters love. As such, it isn't surprising that some hunters opt for the use of a bow or crossbow when hunting season comes along.

One of the top benefits of using a bow is that it allows you to hunt for longer compared to a rifle. Additionally, you've got the added benefit of hunting on smaller properties, which isn't a consideration for rifles or shotguns.

For most hunters, the longest shots they'll take are around 50 yards. Compare that to your average rifle shot, and you can see why bow hunting is more of a challenge. Hunting with a bow forces a hunter to concentrate on the environment around them.

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 6% (approx. 2,566 deer)
• Total deer harvested in 2022: 42,770 (76.0% antlered buck, 24.0% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 6% (approx. 2,722 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 45,369 (58.8% antlered buck, 41.2% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 6% (approx. 1,759 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 29,315 (74.4% antlered buck, 25.6% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 8% (approx. 14,353 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 179,414 (50.2% antlered buck, 49.8% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 9% (approx. 61,260 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 680,671 (55.4% antlered buck, 44.6% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 9% (approx. 19,593 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 217,700 (55.5% antlered buck, 44.5% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 10% (approx. 2,754 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 27,536 (92.9% antlered buck, 7.1% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 11% (approx. 4,817 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 43,787 (54.4% antlered buck, 45.6% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 12% (approx. 4,835 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 40,289 (58.1% antlered buck, 41.9% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 13% (approx. 21,298 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 163,831 (52.6% antlered buck, 47.4% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 13% (approx. 21,222 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 163,244 (52.9% antlered buck, 47.1% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 14% (approx. 770 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 5,500 (87.0% antlered buck, 13.0% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 14% (approx. 24,117 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 172,265 (51.2% antlered buck, 48.8% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 15% (approx. 1,028 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 6,856 (99.3% antlered buck, 0.7% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 15% (approx. 1,390 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 9,266 (98.1% antlered buck, 1.9% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 15% (approx. 27,837 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 185,579 (48.4% antlered buck, 51.6% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 16% (approx. 29,886 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 186,788 (49.0% antlered buck, 51.0% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 16% (approx. 8,861 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 55,380 (61.5% antlered buck, 38.5% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 18% (approx. 48,818 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 271,211 (35.5% antlered buck, 64.5% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 19% (approx. 56,947 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 299,719 (47.0% antlered buck, 53.0% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 19% (approx. 49,938 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 262,830 (45.3% antlered buck, 54.7% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 20% (approx. 3,370 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 16,848 (25.9% antlered buck, 74.1% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 20% (approx. 28,899 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 144,493 (49.2% antlered buck, 50.8% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 21% (approx. 6,307 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 30,031 (58.3% antlered buck, 41.7% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 22% (approx. 67,920 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 308,729 (44.6% antlered buck, 55.4% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 24% (approx. 22,436 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 93,484 (69.5% antlered buck, 30.5% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 24% (approx. 55,671 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 231,961 (50.2% antlered buck, 49.8% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 26% (approx. 31,682 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 121,854 (56.6% antlered buck, 43.4% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 28% (approx. 33,180 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 118,499 (60.4% antlered buck, 39.6% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 29% (approx. 98,682 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 340,282 (48.1% antlered buck, 51.9% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 31% (approx. 105,149 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 339,189 (60.1% antlered buck, 39.9% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 31% (approx. 41,589 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 134,158 (54.5% antlered buck, 45.5% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 33% (approx. 4,647 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 14,082 (59.2% antlered buck, 40.8% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 34% (approx. 5,937 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 17,461 (55.1% antlered buck, 44.9% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 35% (approx. 148,036 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 422,960 (38.8% antlered buck, 61.2% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 36% (approx. 39,456 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 109,600 (42.4% antlered buck, 57.6% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 40% (approx. 32,326 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 80,815 (51.9% antlered buck, 48.1% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 42% (approx. 1,136 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 2,705 (48.1% antlered buck, 51.9% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 43% (approx. 67,877 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 157,854 (46.4% antlered buck, 53.6% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 46% (approx. 7,292 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 15,853 (57.3% antlered buck, 42.7% antlerless deer)

• Deer Taken With Bow or Crossbow in 2022: 47% (approx. 4,909 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 10,445 (53.6% antlered buck, 46.4% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 47% (approx. 99,157 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 210,973 (42.7% antlered buck, 57.3% antlerless deer)

• Share of deer harvested with a bow or crossbow, 2022: 65% (approx. 24,911 deer)
• Total deer harvested, 2022: 38,324 (42.0% antlered buck, 58.0% antlerless deer)