These States Offer the Ultimate Big Game Hunting Experience

While hunting in America certainly has its fans and detractors in the United States, it’s hard to ignore how popular it has been since the country was founded. Many of the earliest Americans had to hunt to survive, even before they were officially Americans. Today, hunting is more of a hobby than anything else, but a popular hobby millions love to take part in.

How Much Do Americans Spend on Hunting?

In a reversal of a longer-term trend, the number of Americans who hunt has grown in recent years. Hunting is not only a popular pastime, but it is also a big business. According to the 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, Americans spent more than $45.2 billion on hunting in 2022

This number includes $12.3 billion in travel and trip-related hunting expenditures. Sales of hunting licenses, tags, and permits alone generated over $1 billion in government revenue in 2022, more than 40% of which came from sales to out-of-state hunters.

How Many Hunters Nationwide?

According to the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife Service, 39 million registered hunting licenses, tags, permits, and stamps were issued in 2022. At least 88% of this number were issued by local authorities to in-state residents, which is an unsurprising number as you don’t have to go far to find a location that plays host to your favorite hunting animal.

What Is This Most Hunted Game?

Far and away, the most sought-after game in the United States is deer in the top seven states where hunting is most prominent, deer accounts for at least 41% of all harvest. However, alongside the white-tailed deer is the cottontail rabbit, considered one of the most hunted animals in the world.

Where Is Deer Hunting Most Common?

It shouldn’t be surprising to learn that Southern and Western states host the highest percentage of hunters. As these states tend to have below-average population densities, they also have more leniency around firearm restrictions.

This leniency also extends to hunting, where you may be able to hunt more frequently during the year than in states on the East Coast, where hunting is often limited to a few months out of the year.

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

Non-resident hunting licenses, tags, permits, & stamps issued, 2022: 152,329 (30% of all state-issued hunting authorizations)
Non-resident hunting license, tag, permit, & stamp sales, 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