Hunting is an American tradition, practiced by millions of people every year. Those who hunt with bows or muzzleloaders usually enjoy longer hunting seasons, larger bag limits, and expanded hunting area access, but the majority of sportsmen and women in the U.S. prefer hunting with modern shotguns or rifles. Data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service indicates that in 2021, the number of licensed hunters reached a 35-year peak, exceeding 15.9 million for the first time since 1987.
The National Deer Association, committed to preserving wildlife and habitats, reports that in 2021, more than 6.9 million Americans hunted with a firearm, as opposed to only 4.7 million who hunted with a bow or muzzleloader. Factoring in the 2021 census data, there are approximately 21 firearms hunters per 1,000 people in the U.S., with that figure being much higher in certain areas. According to a recent Gallup poll, 42% of U.S. citizens have a gun in their household, and nearly one third of those respondents cited hunting as the primary reason they own a firearm.
Using data from the NDA and U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states where firearm hunting, including rifles, shotguns, and handguns, is most prevalent. We ranked the 39 states with available information on the number of firearm hunters for every 1,000 state residents in 2021. Additional data on the share of deer harvested using a rifle or shotgun is sourced from the NDA, and the total count of paid hunting license holders per state was obtained from the FWS.
In each of the top six states with the highest concentration of firearms hunters, the total number of licensed hunters per 1,000 people exceeds the national average of 48 per 1,000 people.
In several states at the bottom of this list, the limited use of firearms by hunters is likely a result of legal limitations. In Rhode Island, for instance, deer hunting with a centerfire rifle is banned, resulting in almost 90% of deer harvested in the state in 2021 being taken with a bow or muzzleloader. In comparison, nationwide, only about one-third of all deer harvested that year were killed with a bow or muzzleloader.
These are the states where the most people hunt with a firearm:
39. Rhode Island
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 1.8 per 1,000 people (1,929 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 7.3 per 1,000 people (7,985 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 12%
38. New Mexico
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 4.1 per 1,000 people (8,610 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 66.5 per 1,000 people (140,685 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: N/A
37. Florida
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 4.3 per 1,000 people (94,309 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 10.0 per 1,000 people (217,113 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 67%
36. Connecticut
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 4.5 per 1,000 people (16,301 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 8.5 per 1,000 people (30,807 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 35%
35. Massachusetts
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 5.5 per 1,000 people (38,640 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 8.5 per 1,000 people (59,652 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 32%
34. Arizona
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 5.9 per 1,000 people (42,860 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 48.0 per 1,000 people (349,554 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: N/A
33. New Jersey
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 6.8 per 1,000 people (63,457 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 7.7 per 1,000 people (71,707 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 26%
32. Maryland
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 7.3 per 1,000 people (45,000 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 18.9 per 1,000 people (116,422 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 50%
31. Washington
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 10.2 per 1,000 people (78,718 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 23.9 per 1,000 people (185,147 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 86%
30. Colorado
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 12.3 per 1,000 people (71,395 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 63.8 per 1,000 people (370,736 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 87%
29. Illinois
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 13.0 per 1,000 people (165,011 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 22.9 per 1,000 people (289,922 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 52%
28. Utah
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 13.6 per 1,000 people (45,520 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 80.3 per 1,000 people (268,075 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 74%
27. Ohio
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 15.1 per 1,000 people (177,558 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 30.6 per 1,000 people (360,421 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 44%
26. Iowa
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 15.1 per 1,000 people (48,148 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 69.1 per 1,000 people (220,576 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 62%
25. Delaware
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 15.1 per 1,000 people (15,201 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 16.7 per 1,000 people (16,728 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 70%
24. Georgia
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 17.4 per 1,000 people (187,797 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 71.2 per 1,000 people (769,105 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 83%
23. Kansas
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 20.4 per 1,000 people (59,870 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 86.9 per 1,000 people (255,143 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 50%
22. Tennessee
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 20.6 per 1,000 people (143,381 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 104.5 per 1,000 people (728,759 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 66%
21. Virginia
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 21.5 per 1,000 people (185,427 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 29.3 per 1,000 people (253,650 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 63%
20. Texas
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 23.7 per 1,000 people (700,573 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 39.6 per 1,000 people (1,170,316 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 87%
19. Oregon
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 24.8 per 1,000 people (105,484 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 78.1 per 1,000 people (331,475 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 88%
18. South Carolina
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 25.0 per 1,000 people (129,591 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 42.2 per 1,000 people (219,222 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 90%
17. New York
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 28.5 per 1,000 people (565,629 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 28.2 per 1,000 people (560,346 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 62%
16. New Hampshire
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 40.1 per 1,000 people (55,725 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 43.6 per 1,000 people (60,629 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 50%
15. Oklahoma
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 41.1 per 1,000 people (163,903 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 125.2 per 1,000 people (499,182 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 59%
14. Nebraska
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 41.2 per 1,000 people (81,000 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 94.2 per 1,000 people (185,034 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 82%
13. Alabama
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 42.9 per 1,000 people (216,348 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 100.1 per 1,000 people (504,600 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 76%
12. Pennsylvania
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 43.0 per 1,000 people (558,000 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 73.6 per 1,000 people (953,903 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 60%
11. Louisiana
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 43.1 per 1,000 people (199,300 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 95.7 per 1,000 people (442,678 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 79%
10. Michigan
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 46.1 per 1,000 people (463,178 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 65.8 per 1,000 people (660,933 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 62%
9. Kentucky
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 48.3 per 1,000 people (217,603 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 71.3 per 1,000 people (321,347 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 73%
8. Mississippi
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 61.2 per 1,000 people (180,665 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 95.9 per 1,000 people (283,021 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 73%
7. Missouri
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 72.1 per 1,000 people (444,990 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 82.7 per 1,000 people (509,963 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 76%
6. Minnesota
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 73.1 per 1,000 people (417,186 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 96.5 per 1,000 people (550,663 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 81%
5. North Dakota
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 79.5 per 1,000 people (61,574 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 194.5 per 1,000 people (150,724 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 80%
4. Wyoming
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 94.7 per 1,000 people (54,819 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 235.3 per 1,000 people (136,205 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 93%
3. Wisconsin
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 96.0 per 1,000 people (565,909 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 113.6 per 1,000 people (669,813 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 66%
2. Vermont
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 126.7 per 1,000 people (81,793 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 99.7 per 1,000 people (64,343 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 51%
1. Maine
- Population hunting with a firearm in 2021: 131.8 per 1,000 people (180,900 total)
- Paid hunting license holders in 2021: 151.5 per 1,000 people (207,849 total)
- Share of deer harvested with a rifle or shotgun in 2021: 87%
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