States Where the Most People Hunt

Guns and Hunting

Published: June 4, 2024 11:50 am

Hunting is no longer a practical necessity for most Americans. But, as a pastime, it is growing increasingly popular. In each of the last two years, the number of licensed hunters in the U.S. hit multi-decade highs of over 15.9 million. As recently as 2010, there were fewer than 14.5 million hunters in the United States, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Deer are by far the most commonly hunted game in the United States. Along with bear, elk, and wild turkey, deer are considered big game. In 2022, nearly 80% of American sports men and women hunted big game. Meanwhile, about 37% of hunters pursued small game — like rabbits, squirrels, pheasants, and quail — and 19% hunted waterfowl and other migratory birds, according to the USFWS.

While hunting is gaining popularity nationwide, it is far more common in certain parts of the country.

Using 2022 data from the FWS, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states with the most hunters. We ranked all 50 states on the total number of paid hunting license holders for every 1,000 state residents. Population figures used to calculate this ranking are from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey. Supplemental data on hunting license expenditures is also from the FWS. Data on deer harvest totals by state is from the National Deer Association, a wildlife and habitat preservation organization.

Depending on the state, the number of hunters per 1,000 people ranges from fewer than 10 to well over 200. For context, there are about 48 licensed hunters for every 1,000 people nationwide. (Here is a look at the most versatile hunting rifle cartridges.)

According to the FWS’ 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, Americans who live in large urban areas are far less likely to hunt than those in smaller cities or rural areas. Not surprisingly, the states where the greatest share of residents are licensed hunters have larger than average rural populations. Among the 10 highest ranking states on this list, anywhere from 27% to 61% of the population reside in rural areas, compared to only 20% of Americans nationwide who do.

The highest ranking states are also disproportionately concentrated in the West and the Midwest. These states tend to have low population densities, and in many of them, large swathes of land are federally owned and open to the public for hunting. (Here is a look at the state economies most dependent on outdoor recreation.)

Why It Matters

Every state in the country is home to thousands of hunters — and in some states, hunting is an integral to cultural identity. Hunting is also big business. Americans spent a combined $1.1 billion on hunting licenses, stamps, tags, and permits in 2022 — and another $32.9 billion on hunting equipment and trip-related expenses.

50. California

Hunters in 2022: 7.0 per 1,000 people (260,359 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $23,601,831
Deer harvested in 2022: 22,872 (97.0% buck; 03% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: N/A

49. Rhode Island

Hunters in 2022: 7.0 per 1,000 people (8,099 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $543,574
Deer harvested in 2022: 2,705 (48.0% buck; 52% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 42 % bow; 17 % rifle or shotgun; 42 % muzzleloader

48. New Jersey

Hunters in 2022: 8.0 per 1,000 people (70,907 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $8,161,522
Deer harvested in 2022: 38,324 (42.0% buck; 58% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 65 % bow; 25 % rifle or shotgun; 10 % muzzleloader

47. Connecticut

Hunters in 2022: 8.0 per 1,000 people (28,670 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $2,204,872
Deer harvested in 2022: 10,445 (54.0% buck; 46% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 47 % bow; 36 % rifle or shotgun; 7 % muzzleloader

46. Hawaii

Hunters in 2022: 9.0 per 1,000 people (12,450 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $798,986
Deer harvested in 2022: N/A
Deer harvest by weapon type: N/A

45. Massachusetts

Golden sunrise atop Mt Minsi by joiseyshowaa

Golden sunrise atop Mt Minsi (CC BY-SA 2.0) by joiseyshowaa

Hunters in 2022: 9.0 per 1,000 people (61,865 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $3,757,725
Deer harvested in 2022: 15,853 (57.0% buck; 43% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 46 % bow; 31 % rifle or shotgun; 23 % muzzleloader

44. Florida

Hunters in 2022: 10.0 per 1,000 people (219,074 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $8,112,884
Deer harvested in 2022: 93,484 (70.0% buck; 30% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 24 % bow; 67 % rifle or shotgun; 9 % muzzleloader

43. Delaware

Hunters in 2022: 16.0 per 1,000 people (16,034 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $1,536,037
Deer harvested in 2022: 16,848 (26.0% buck; 74% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 20 % bow; 69 % rifle or shotgun; 11 % muzzleloader

42. Maryland

Hunters in 2022: 18.0 per 1,000 people (113,460 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $6,379,820
Deer harvested in 2022: 76,687 (41.0% buck; 59% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: N/A

41. Washington

Hunters in 2022: 22.0 per 1,000 people (170,975 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $19,158,014
Deer harvested in 2022: 23,425 (89.0% buck; 11% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: N/A

40. Illinois

Hunters in 2022: 23.0 per 1,000 people (287,438 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $31,104,023
Deer harvested in 2022: 157,854 (46.0% buck; 54% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 43 % bow; 55 % rifle or shotgun; 2 % muzzleloader

39. New York

Hunters in 2022: 28.0 per 1,000 people (553,475 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $23,465,649
Deer harvested in 2022: 231,961 (50.0% buck; 50% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 24 % bow; 64 % rifle or shotgun; 11 % muzzleloader

38. Virginia

Hunters in 2022: 29.0 per 1,000 people (248,951 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $22,676,787
Deer harvested in 2022: 186,788 (49.0% buck; 51% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 16 % bow; 60 % rifle or shotgun; 24 % muzzleloader

37. Ohio

Forest Near Boardwalk from Brandywine Falls, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio by Ken Lund

Forest Near Boardwalk from Brandywine Falls, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio (BY-SA 2.0) by Ken Lund

Hunters in 2022: 30.0 per 1,000 people (354,606 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $25,990,333
Deer harvested in 2022: 210,973 (43.0% buck; 57% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 47 % bow; 46 % rifle or shotgun; 6 % muzzleloader

36. Nevada

My Public Lands Roadtrip: Pine Forest Range Wilderness Area in Nevada by mypubliclands

My Public Lands Roadtrip: Pine Forest Range Wilderness Area in Nevada (BY 2.0) by mypubliclands

Hunters in 2022: 34.0 per 1,000 people (107,978 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $7,990,130
Deer harvested in 2022: 5,500 (87.0% buck; 13% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 14 % bow; 84 % rifle or shotgun; 2 % muzzleloader

35. Texas

Spring Forest Leaves in Texas Hill Country by Wing-Chi Poon

Spring Forest Leaves in Texas Hill Country (BY-SA 3.0) by Wing-Chi Poon

Hunters in 2022: 38.0 per 1,000 people (1,132,186 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $49,326,005
Deer harvested in 2022: 680,671 (55.0% buck; 45% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 9 % bow; 89 % rifle or shotgun; 1 % muzzleloader

34. Arizona

BLM Winter Bucket List #10: Ironwood Forest National Monument, Arizona, for Mild Temperatures and Winter Photography by mypubliclands

BLM Winter Bucket List #10: Ironwood Forest National Monument, Arizona, for Mild Temperatures and Winter Photography (BY 2.0) by mypubliclands

Hunters in 2022: 39.0 per 1,000 people (287,033 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $20,875,868
Deer harvested in 2022: 6,856 (99.0% buck; 01% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 15 % bow; 82 % rifle or shotgun; 2 % muzzleloader

33. Indiana

Hunters in 2022: 39.0 per 1,000 people (268,630 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $12,564,964
Deer harvested in 2022: 121,854 (57.0% buck; 43% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 26 % bow; 64 % rifle or shotgun; 10 % muzzleloader

32. South Carolina

Hunters in 2022: 41.0 per 1,000 people (215,340 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $10,869,977
Deer harvested in 2022: 179,414 (50.0% buck; 50% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 8 % bow; 91 % rifle or shotgun; 2 % muzzleloader

31. New Hampshire

Hunters in 2022: 43.0 per 1,000 people (60,323 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $5,136,907
Deer harvested in 2022: 14,082 (59.0% buck; 41% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 33 % bow; 49 % rifle or shotgun; 18 % muzzleloader

30. North Carolina

Hunters in 2022: 61.0 per 1,000 people (650,361 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $13,606,237
Deer harvested in 2022: 163,831 (53.0% buck; 47% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 13 % bow; 79 % rifle or shotgun; 8 % muzzleloader

29. Michigan

Hunters in 2022: 63.0 per 1,000 people (634,627 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $36,266,860
Deer harvested in 2022: 339,189 (60.0% buck; 40% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 31 % bow; 64 % rifle or shotgun; 5 % muzzleloader

28. Colorado

Hunters in 2022: 67.0 per 1,000 people (393,066 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $86,063,990
Deer harvested in 2022: 38,047 (77.0% buck; 23% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: N/A

27. Iowa

Hunters in 2022: 69.0 per 1,000 people (219,432 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $23,583,242
Deer harvested in 2022: 109,600 (42.0% buck; 58% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 36 % bow; 52 % rifle or shotgun; 12 % muzzleloader

26. Kentucky

Hunters in 2022: 71.0 per 1,000 people (318,869 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $24,284,725
Deer harvested in 2022: 144,493 (49.0% buck; 51% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 20 % bow; 73 % rifle or shotgun; 7 % muzzleloader

25. Georgia

Forest edge at Gomismta-Shuakhevi Mountain Trail, Ajaria, Georgia by Boris Kuznetsov

Forest edge at Gomismta-Shuakhevi Mountain Trail, Ajaria, Georgia (BY 2.0) by Boris Kuznetsov

Hunters in 2022: 75.0 per 1,000 people (819,893 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $20,520,877
Deer harvested in 2022: 271,211 (35.0% buck; 65% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 18 % bow; 79 % rifle or shotgun; 3 % muzzleloader

24. Pennsylvania

View of Raystown Lake from Hawns Overlook, in Huntington, Pennsylvania

Hunters in 2022: 76.0 per 1,000 people (981,320 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $41,928,813
Deer harvested in 2022: 422,960 (39.0% buck; 61% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 35 % bow; 59 % rifle or shotgun; 6 % muzzleloader

23. New Mexico

Hunters in 2022: 76.0 per 1,000 people (160,322 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $21,260,065
Deer harvested in 2022: 9,266 (98.0% buck; 02% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 15 % bow; 72 % rifle or shotgun; 13 % muzzleloader

22. Oregon

Hunters in 2022: 79.0 per 1,000 people (333,196 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $30,446,022
Deer harvested in 2022: 29,751 (90.0% buck; 10% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: N/A

21. Utah

Utah, Route 143 #7 (CC BY 2.0) by ~jar{}

Hunters in 2022: 79.0 per 1,000 people (267,238 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $22,966,859
Deer harvested in 2022: 27,536 (93.0% buck; 07% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 10 % bow; 75 % rifle or shotgun; 15 % muzzleloader

20. Missouri

Hunters in 2022: 83.0 per 1,000 people (509,942 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $27,642,938
Deer harvested in 2022: 299,719 (47.0% buck; 53% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 19 % bow; 78 % rifle or shotgun; 3 % muzzleloader

19. Oklahoma

Hunters in 2022: 93.0 per 1,000 people (372,663 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $11,890,007
Deer harvested in 2022: 134,158 (55.0% buck; 45% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 31 % bow; 60 % rifle or shotgun; 9 % muzzleloader

18. Mississippi

Hunters in 2022: 93.0 per 1,000 people (274,879 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $14,256,834
Deer harvested in 2022: 262,830 (45.0% buck; 55% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 19 % bow; 81 % rifle or shotgun; N/A % muzzleloader

17. Vermont

Hunters in 2022: 94.0 per 1,000 people (60,719 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $4,363,071
Deer harvested in 2022: 17,461 (55.0% buck; 45% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 34 % bow; 48 % rifle or shotgun; 18 % muzzleloader

16. Kansas

Hunters in 2022: 94.0 per 1,000 people (277,050 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $25,959,756
Deer harvested in 2022: 80,815 (52.0% buck; 48% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 40 % bow; 56 % rifle or shotgun; 4 % muzzleloader

15. Louisiana

Hunters in 2022: 94.0 per 1,000 people (433,219 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $12,160,565
Deer harvested in 2022: 217,700 (56.0% buck; 44% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 9 % bow; 79 % rifle or shotgun; 12 % muzzleloader

14. Minnesota

A Great Blue Heron at Big Sandy Lake in McGregor Minnesota with smoke haze from forest fires in Canada by Lorie Shaull

A Great Blue Heron at Big Sandy Lake in McGregor Minnesota with smoke haze from forest fires in Canada (BY 2.0) by Lorie Shaull

Hunters in 2022: 95.0 per 1,000 people (542,085 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $33,620,104
Deer harvested in 2022: 172,265 (51.0% buck; 49% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 14 % bow; 80 % rifle or shotgun; 6 % muzzleloader

13. Alabama

Hunters in 2022: 96.0 per 1,000 people (486,674 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $23,912,194
Deer harvested in 2022: 308,729 (45.0% buck; 55% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 22 % bow; 75 % rifle or shotgun; 3 % muzzleloader

12. Wisconsin

Floodplain Forest (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Joshua Mayer

Hunters in 2022: 113.0 per 1,000 people (664,738 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $36,478,110
Deer harvested in 2022: 340,282 (48.0% buck; 52% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 29 % bow; 69 % rifle or shotgun; 2 % muzzleloader

11. Arkansas

Valley Ozark National Forest Arkansas. by amanderson2

Valley Ozark National Forest Arkansas. (BY 2.0) by amanderson2

Hunters in 2022: 114.0 per 1,000 people (347,418 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $20,192,534
Deer harvested in 2022: 185,579 (48.0% buck; 52% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 15 % bow; 75 % rifle or shotgun; 9 % muzzleloader

10. Tennessee

Blue Ridge with spruce-fir forest (Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee, USA) 2 by James St. John

Blue Ridge with spruce-fir forest (Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee, USA) 2 (BY 2.0) by James St. John

Hunters in 2022: 120.0 per 1,000 people (844,172 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $42,874,058
Deer harvested in 2022: 163,244 (53.0% buck; 47% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 13 % bow; 72 % rifle or shotgun; 15 % muzzleloader

9. Nebraska

Hunters in 2022: 123.0 per 1,000 people (241,271 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $19,622,327
Deer harvested in 2022: 40,289 (58.0% buck; 42% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 12 % bow; 82 % rifle or shotgun; 6 % muzzleloader

8. Alaska

Hunters in 2022: 128.0 per 1,000 people (94,142 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $17,385,564
Deer harvested in 2022: N/A
Deer harvest by weapon type: N/A

7. West Virginia

Hunters in 2022: 149.0 per 1,000 people (265,103 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $9,348,550
Deer harvested in 2022: 118,499 (60.0% buck; 40% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 28 % bow; 67 % rifle or shotgun; 5 % muzzleloader

6. Idaho

Hunters in 2022: 150.0 per 1,000 people (290,834 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $39,068,857
Deer harvested in 2022: 42,770 (76.0% buck; 24% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 6 % bow; 92 % rifle or shotgun; 2 % muzzleloader

5. Maine

Hunters in 2022: 154.0 per 1,000 people (213,686 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $8,772,248
Deer harvested in 2022: 43,787 (54.0% buck; 46% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 11 % bow; 85 % rifle or shotgun; 4 % muzzleloader

4. North Dakota

Hunters in 2022: 190.0 per 1,000 people (148,101 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $12,277,513
Deer harvested in 2022: 30,031 (58.0% buck; 42% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 21 % bow; 77 % rifle or shotgun; 2 % muzzleloader

3. Montana

Hunters in 2022: 211.0 per 1,000 people (237,312 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $42,969,973
Deer harvested in 2022: 45,369 (59.0% buck; 41% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 6 % bow; 93 % rifle or shotgun; 1 % muzzleloader

2. Wyoming

Hunters in 2022: 227.0 per 1,000 people (132,185 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $34,542,006
Deer harvested in 2022: 29,315 (74.0% buck; 26% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 6 % bow; 94 % rifle or shotgun; – 0 % muzzleloader

1. South Dakota

Hunters in 2022: 250.0 per 1,000 people (227,312 hunters total)
Total spending on hunting licenses in 2022: $23,760,897
Deer harvested in 2022: 55,380 (62.0% buck; 38% antlerless)
Deer harvest by weapon type: 16 % bow; 82 % rifle or shotgun; 2 % muzzleloader

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Read more: Guns and Hunting, best states for hunter, number of hunters by state, states where everyone hunts, states where no one hunts, states with the most hunters, states with the strongest hunting cultures

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