States with the most registered hunters
Robert Nyholm // Shutterstock
States with the most registered hunters
A hunter and their elkhound walk through the woods.
Hunting is one of the oldest forms of human activity. Over the centuries, hunting has largely evolved from necessity to sport—although many hunters in the U.S. do process hunted animals for food.
As hunting gained popularity as a leisure activity, ecosystems suffered, which led to various regulations in order to help preserve and conserve wildlife resources. In the United States, each state has set dates for hunting seasons, thresholds for how many tags or wild game stamps are allowed, and specific areas that are off-limits to hunting in order to help preserve habitats and animal populations.
In the past several decades, the number of people with hunting licenses in the United States has been on a sharp decline. This can be attributed to a few factors, namely the rise in urbanization, the development of farmland, a lack of free time among hunters, and limited access to hunting land. Licenses peaked at roughly 17 million in the 1980s.
There are 15.9 million hunting license holders in the United States as of 2023.
The drop-off in revenue from hunting licenses is starting to pose a problem for conservation groups. Thanks to the Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937, an 11% excise tax was placed on the sale of firearms for the purpose of funding conservation. Not only that, but the profits from hunting licenses themselves also go directly to conservation initiatives.
Stacker compiled a list of the states with the most registered hunters using data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. States are ranked by per capita hunting license holders based on 2023 data and 2022 American Community Survey population estimates.
So which states are holding steady with hunting traditions? Take a look to see where your state ranks on the list.
Canva
#50. California
A hunter looking out on a ridge.
– Paid hunting license holders: 0.7 for every 100 people (278,210 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 2.6 for every 100 people (1,018,257 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $25,799,637
Roman Kosolapov // Shutterstock
#49. Rhode Island
A hunter walks with a rifle in a forest.
– Paid hunting license holders: 0.7 for every 100 people (7,985 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 5.4 for every 100 people (59,032 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $545,484
kkhrustov // Shutterstock
#48. New Jersey
Three hunters walking into a sunset.
– Paid hunting license holders: 0.8 for every 100 people (71,707 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 3.5 for every 100 people (322,162 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $8,801,106
Canva
#47. Hawaii
A hog running on rocky path.
– Paid hunting license holders: 0.8 for every 100 people (11,270 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 0.9 for every 100 people (12,554 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $493,305
Canva
#46. Connecticut
Rocky Connecticut coastline.
– Paid hunting license holders: 0.8 for every 100 people (30,807 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 2.8 for every 100 people (102,071 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $2,348,381
Zhanna Kavaliova // Shutterstock
#45. Massachusetts
Hunter walking with rifle and a dog.
– Paid hunting license holders: 0.9 for every 100 people (59,652 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 4.0 for every 100 people (278,765 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $2,777,155
Canva
#44. Florida
A deer in a backyard in front of trees.
– Paid hunting license holders: 1.0 for every 100 people (217,113 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 1.4 for every 100 people (321,564 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $8,517,982
PRESSLAB // Shutterstock
#43. Delaware
Hunter with rifle and dog in forest.
– Paid hunting license holders: 1.6 for every 100 people (16,728 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 5.8 for every 100 people (58,904 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $1,636,079
Robert Nyholm // Shutterstock
#42. Maryland
Hunter and hunting dogs chasing in the wilderness.
– Paid hunting license holders: 1.9 for every 100 people (116,422 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 5.2 for every 100 people (321,279 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $6,781,632
Canva
#41. Illinois
Swamp landscape.
– Paid hunting license holders: 2.3 for every 100 people (289,922 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 11.8 for every 100 people (1,489,355 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $34,691,886
ZoranOrcik // Shutterstock
#40. Washington
Close up of a hunter dressed in camouflage holding a bow.
– Paid hunting license holders: 2.4 for every 100 people (185,147 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 10.3 for every 100 people (803,307 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $20,404,708
Canva
#39. New York
Close up of a rifle in a hunter’s hand.
– Paid hunting license holders: 2.8 for every 100 people (560,346 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 5.6 for every 100 people (1,099,181 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $25,259,622
Canva
#38. Virginia
A bird flying over greenery.
– Paid hunting license holders: 2.9 for every 100 people (253,650 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 8.9 for every 100 people (771,195 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $24,269,249
Robert Nyholm // Shutterstock
#37. Ohio
Hunter walking in the fall hunting season.
– Paid hunting license holders: 3.1 for every 100 people (360,421 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 7.5 for every 100 people (878,865 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $29,051,314
Canva
#36. Nevada
Mountain landscape with snow.
– Paid hunting license holders: 3.4 for every 100 people (106,861 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 4.6 for every 100 people (146,356 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $8,169,728
Canva
#35. Texas
Deer in the forest looking to the left.
– Paid hunting license holders: 3.9 for every 100 people (1,170,316 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 6.0 for every 100 people (1,802,822 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $52,468,107
Canva
#34. Indiana
Hunter and young boy with rifles in a field.
– Paid hunting license holders: 4.0 for every 100 people (273,423 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 6.0 for every 100 people (411,339 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $13,507,998
Canva
#33. South Carolina
Gator covered in swamp plants.
– Paid hunting license holders: 4.1 for every 100 people (219,222 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 18.7 for every 100 people (986,512 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $10,879,343
Canva
#32. New Hampshire
Mountain landscape in the fall.
– Paid hunting license holders: 4.3 for every 100 people (60,629 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 12.1 for every 100 people (168,182 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $5,419,413
Sumikophoto // Shutterstock
#31. Arizona
Close up of a mountain lion.
– Paid hunting license holders: 4.7 for every 100 people (349,554 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 8.4 for every 100 people (617,898 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $22,260,986
Canva
#30. North Carolina
Black bear standing on rocks.
– Paid hunting license holders: 6.1 for every 100 people (654,251 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 3.1 for every 100 people (332,215 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $14,086,740
l i g h t p o e t // Shutterstock
#29. Colorado
Close-up view of the hands of a fly fisherman holding a trout.
– Paid hunting license holders: 6.3 for every 100 people (370,736 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 13.7 for every 100 people (799,965 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $82,363,775
Canva
#28. Michigan
A deer in snow.
– Paid hunting license holders: 6.6 for every 100 people (660,933 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 22.0 for every 100 people (2,211,810 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $39,740,801
Kaspars Grinvalds // Shutterstock
#27. New Mexico
Hunter with rifle.
– Paid hunting license holders: 6.7 for every 100 people (140,685 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 23.2 for every 100 people (489,379 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $21,303,649
Kichigin // Shutterstock
#26. Iowa
Low angle of a hunter walking.
– Paid hunting license holders: 6.9 for every 100 people (220,576 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 21.4 for every 100 people (684,702 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $24,035,299
Canva
#25. Georgia
Alligator in water.
– Paid hunting license holders: 7.0 for every 100 people (769,105 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 14.4 for every 100 people (1,566,735 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $22,131,917
Canva
#24. Kentucky
Mountain ridge at the start of fall.
– Paid hunting license holders: 7.1 for every 100 people (321,347 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 12.3 for every 100 people (555,368 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $24,437,041
Canva
#23. Pennsylvania
A deer leaping over snow.
– Paid hunting license holders: 7.4 for every 100 people (953,903 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 7.4 for every 100 people (953,903 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $45,549,247
mmpixel91 // Shutterstock
#22. Oregon
Hunter’s binoculars, rifle and bag laid on grass in a forest.
– Paid hunting license holders: 7.8 for every 100 people (331,475 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 27.7 for every 100 people (1,173,773 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $32,497,930
Canva
#21. Utah
Lake and trees on sunny day.
– Paid hunting license holders: 7.9 for every 100 people (268,075 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 14.2 for every 100 people (481,714 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $22,621,975
Canva
#20. Missouri
Walking path in a forest.
– Paid hunting license holders: 8.3 for every 100 people (509,963 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 28.5 for every 100 people (1,760,197 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $28,008,035
ZoranOrcik // Shutterstock
#19. Kansas
Silhouette of a bow hunter.
– Paid hunting license holders: 8.7 for every 100 people (255,143 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 14.4 for every 100 people (422,066 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $25,495,743
Canva
#18. Nebraska
Two deer standing in a field.
– Paid hunting license holders: 9.4 for every 100 people (185,034 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 20.4 for every 100 people (401,248 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $17,206,197
Canva
#17. Mississippi
Swamp landscape with a bird in the water.
– Paid hunting license holders: 9.6 for every 100 people (283,021 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 14.3 for every 100 people (420,866 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $14,878,632
Canva
#16. Minnesota
Aerial view of a lake and forest in the fall.
– Paid hunting license holders: 9.6 for every 100 people (550,663 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 25.5 for every 100 people (1,460,203 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $36,448,689
Canva
#15. Louisiana
Close up of an alligator in water.
– Paid hunting license holders: 9.6 for every 100 people (442,678 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 13.1 for every 100 people (602,579 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $10,481,983
Canva
#14. Vermont
An elk in a field.
– Paid hunting license holders: 9.9 for every 100 people (64,343 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 30.6 for every 100 people (197,782 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $4,924,792
Canva
#13. Alabama
Trees in a forest.
– Paid hunting license holders: 9.9 for every 100 people (504,600 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 16.8 for every 100 people (854,916 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $24,546,028
Canva
#12. Tennessee
An elk in a field in fall.
– Paid hunting license holders: 10.3 for every 100 people (728,759 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 14.9 for every 100 people (1,054,081 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $30,454,104
Canva
#11. Arkansas
A deer in the distance in a forest.
– Paid hunting license holders: 10.6 for every 100 people (323,474 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 16.8 for every 100 people (510,212 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $21,442,583
Body Stock // Shutterstock
#10. Wisconsin
Hunter with rifle aimed forward.
– Paid hunting license holders: 11.4 for every 100 people (669,813 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 77.3 for every 100 people (4,554,015 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $38,348,557
Canva
#9. Oklahoma
Up angle of trees in woods.
– Paid hunting license holders: 12.4 for every 100 people (499,182 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 9.2 for every 100 people (370,811 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $14,048,834
Jim David // Shutterstock
#8. Alaska
Brown Bear hunting for fish against an Alaskan landscape.
– Paid hunting license holders: 13.4 for every 100 people (98,202 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 79.0 for every 100 people (579,526 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $8,167,536
Canva
#7. West Virginia
Mountain ridge and river in fall.
– Paid hunting license holders: 14.3 for every 100 people (253,955 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 38.7 for every 100 people (686,655 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $9,558,451
Canva
#6. Maine
Geese flying over grass.
– Paid hunting license holders: 15.0 for every 100 people (207,849 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 17.7 for every 100 people (245,107 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $8,765,588
Canva
#5. Idaho
Man with rifle looking out across a plain.
– Paid hunting license holders: 15.6 for every 100 people (301,994 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 70.4 for every 100 people (1,364,523 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $45,929,613
Canva
#4. North Dakota
Small deer walking in tall grass.
– Paid hunting license holders: 19.3 for every 100 people (150,724 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 72.2 for every 100 people (562,595 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $13,219,281
Canva
#3. Montana
A brown beer walking in a forest.
– Paid hunting license holders: 20.6 for every 100 people (231,339 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 96.7 for every 100 people (1,086,200 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $41,231,097
Steve Oehlenschlager // Shutterstock
#2. South Dakota
A group of pheasant hunters.
– Paid hunting license holders: 22.7 for every 100 people (206,316 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 39.6 for every 100 people (360,062 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $22,313,451
melissamn // Shutterstock
#1. Wyoming
Three hunters on a mountain ridge looking for elk.
– Paid hunting license holders: 23.4 for every 100 people (136,205 total)
– Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 47.3 for every 100 people (274,963 total)
– Total cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $35,230,187
Data reporting by Emma Rubin. Photo selection by Clarese Moller.
