What makes this country great is that every citizen is born with the right to hunt and fish. The United States, unlike many other countries, depends on its citizens to help maintain its wildlife resources. Through the implementation of the North American Model for Conservation and specific hunting legal requirements, we have created a system that doesn't just work—it thrives. Hunting in the U.S. is as good as it's ever been. There is some waxing and waning among specific species, but most of our land displays a healthy wildlife population.
Something else that makes this country so great is its diversity. While diversity in the U.S. often describes the variety of people that live here, the landscape is also incredibly diverse. No two states are exactly alike—which means they all offer different opportunities for outdoor recreation. It could be argued that the American outdoorsman can find something to do in every part of the country, but it's no secret that there are some states offer more to hunters than others. The best states for hunting boast land acreage in the millions, are home to thousands of licensed hunters, and provide diverse habitats for various game. Whether you want to hunt whitetail deer, indulge in hog hunting, or check off a bucket-list item like moose hunting, these hunter-friendly states won't disappoint.
Alabama
Public Land Acreage: 1.3 million+
Licensed Hunters in the State: 500,000+
Resident License Cost: $30.25
Nonresident License Cost: $350.15
Alabama is a great place for both visiting and local outdoorsmen. The state is covered in bountiful forests and provides optimal habitats for various small game, whitetail deer, and eastern wild turkeys. Alabama is also known for its liberal bag limits and early spring turkey opener.
Alaska
Public Land Acreage: 350 million+
Licensed Hunters in the State: 107,000+
Resident License Cost: Varied license/tag options, Resident Hunting is $45.00
Nonresident License Cost: Varied license/tag options, Nonresident Hunting is $160.00
Alaska loves its outdoorsman—both local and visiting. The state is the king of all big game hunting destinations and there is no shortage of public land available to hunt. Alaskan bear and moose hunt are often at the top of big game hunters' bucket lists.
Arkansas
Public Land Acreage: 4 million+
Licensed Hunters in the State: 320,000+
Resident License Cost: $25.00
Nonresident License Cost: $350.00
Arkansas is called the natural state for a reason. Scenic beauty and incredible diversity make the state a perfect destination for hunters. While the state has great whitetail deer and small game hunting opportunities, the biggest draw to the state has to be its waterfowl hunting culture. Arkansas is the duck capital of the world.
Colorado
Public Land Acreage: 29 million+
Licensed Hunters in the State: 280,000+
Resident License Cost: Varied license/tag options (e.g. elk permit is $57.90)
Nonresident License Cost: Varied license/tag options (e.g. elk permit is $670.25)
Colorado is home to the country's largest elk and mule deer populations. The state also has healthy whitetail, pronghorn, and Merriam's turkey populations ready for your next hunting adventure. The state is often an elk hunting destination for many nonresidents considering it offers over-the-counter tags and great trophy potential.
Georgia
Public Land Acreage: 3 million+
Licensed Hunters in the State: 395,000+
Resident License Cost: Hunting is $15.00, Big Game is $25.00
Nonresident License Cost: Hunting is $100.00, Big Game is $225.00
Georgia is a unique state because of its mix of river bottom hardwoods, mountain country, and coastal marsh. This particular topographical diversity offers hunters the chance to hunt in a variety of settings. Whitetail deer, eastern turkey, and small game hunting are all excellent here.
Idaho
Public Land Acreage: 37 million+
Licensed Hunters in the State: 258,000+
Resident License Cost: $38.75
Nonresident License Cost: $264.00
Idaho might as well be known as the land of big game opportunity. It's famous for offering over-the-counter options for elk and mule deer to nonresident hunters. This is virtually unheard of in the rest of the country. Not only does Idaho offer limitless hunting opportunities, but it also has well over 30 million acres of public land for you to explore after you buy a tag.
Kansas
Public Land Acreage: 1.3 million+
Licensed Hunters in the State: 245,000+
Resident License Cost: $27.50
Nonresident License Cost: $97.50
Kansas wears many hats when it comes to offering outdoor activities to its residents and visitors. Some see it as a great upland bird state, some see it as a turkey hunting haven, and some see it as a top tier trophy whitetail state. However you see it, Kansas has something for every hunter.
Kentucky
Public Land Acreage: 1.8 million+
Licensed Hunters in the State: 340,000+
Resident License Cost: $27.00
Nonresident License Cost: $150.00
Kentucky is another one of those Midwestern mountain states that boasts ample outdoor opportunities. The beautiful, wooded landscape provides the perfect small game ecosystem. Eastern turkey and whitetail deer are also abundant here. Kentucky has even risen among the trophy deer ranks and is one of the few states in the country that allows you to hunt bucks while still in summer velvet.
Michigan
Public Land Acreage: 9 million+
Licensed Hunters in the State: 760.000+
Resident License Cost: $11.00
Nonresident License Cost: $151.00
The state of Michigan holds the outdoors in very high regard as evidenced by one of the largest hunter densities in the country, so it's no surprise that it's considered a hunter-friendly state. While mostly known for its small game and deer hunting opportunities, it's still one of the best trapping states in the country. While Michigan doesn't top most hunters' minds as being a trophy deer state, it has one of the best hunting cultures in the country. It truly does need to be experienced by everyone at least once.
Minnesota
Public Land Acreage: 13 million+
Licensed Hunters in the State: 590,000+
Resident License Cost: Varied license/tag options, ex. deer permit is $34.00
Nonresident License Cost: Varied license/tag options, ex. deer permit is $185.00
Minnesota is similar to the other northern states in terms of outdoor opportunity. Whitetail deer, wild turkey, and various small game are popular quarries here. Like Michigan, trapping in this state is top notch. As a bonus, Minnesota is also a primo fishing state.
Missouri
Public Land Acreage: 3.5 million+
Licensed Hunters in the State: 495,000+
Resident License Cost: Varied license/tag options, ex. deer permit is $17.00
Nonresident License Cost: Varied license/tag options, ex. deer permit is $265.00
Missouri lies in the heart of the Midwest and is home to many outdoor opportunities. Whitetail deer hunting in the state is special for many reasons: long seasons, over-the-counter tags, liberal bag limits, high deer density, and trophy buck potential. Missouri is also a famous wild turkey producer and still offers hunters good odds at a bird.
Montana
Public Land Acreage: 40 million+
Licensed Hunters in the State: 235,000+
Resident License Cost: Varied license/tag options
Nonresident License Cost: Varied license/tag options
Montana is every hunter's dream, full of big game and breathtaking scenery. Montana gifts hunters a few over-the-counter options and has a variety of seasons to partake in. A popular option here is the spring black bear hunt. Many spring hunters chase turkeys in the morning and bear in the afternoon, and there aren't many places you can do that! Because of its geographical location it bears resemblance to the Rocky Mountain states, plains states, and some of the Canadian landscape. Sounds awesome doesn't it?
Nebraska
Public Land Acreage: 2.4 million+
Licensed Hunters in the State: 545,000+
Resident License Cost: Varied license/tag options, ex. deer is $37.00
Nonresident License Cost: Varied license/tag options, ex. deer is $285.00
Nebraska is another one of those unique states that doesn't necessarily fit a specific mold. Is it purely a plains state? Mostly, but it does have some river bottom and agriculture areas on the far eastern side of the state. It also has some more rugged mountain and canyon country in the far west. There is a good variety of game to hunt here but the Rio Grande hybrid turkeys might be the state's biggest draw.
Oklahoma
Public Land Acreage: 3.9 million+
Licensed Hunters in the State: 415,000+
Resident License Cost: $32.00
Nonresident License Cost: $176.00
Oklahoma is a hunter-friendly state that is constantly working to improve things for its licensed hunters. Habitat management, herd research, and regulation changes are all employed to increase wild game populations while also giving hunters ample hunting opportunities. Oklahoma is happy to serve nonresident hunters as well by providing over-the-counter whitetail, turkey, and bear tags.
South Dakota
Public Land Acreage: 14 million+
Licensed Hunters in the State: 240,000+
Resident License Cost: $33.00, big game fees vary
Nonresident License Cost: $121.00, big game fees vary
South Dakota might just be the king of upland bird hunting states. Ring-necked pheasant hunting here is unbelievable and thousands of nonresident hunters travel to South Dakota every year to hunt them. South Dakota also offers hunting seasons for mule deer, whitetail deer, pronghorn, and turkey with nonresident hunters having an easy avenue to obtain tags, making it easily one of the best hunter friendly states.
Tennessee
Public Land Acreage: 2.7 million+
Licensed Hunters in the State: 725,000
Resident License Cost: $170.00 (Comprehensive Sportsman's Package)
Nonresident License Cost: $494.00
Tennessee offers about as many hunting opportunities east of the Mississippi River as you can find. The state is beautiful and has plenty of room to hunt whitetails, eastern turkey, and various small game. Tennessee also briefly held the world record for largest hunter-killed nontypical whitetail. Remember that the next time you head into the deer woods of Tennessee.
Texas
Public Land Acreage: 9 million+
Licensed Hunters in the State: 1 million+
Resident License Cost: $25.00
Nonresident License Cost: $315.00
Texas is the birthplace of whitetail management. When other places in the country didn't have high numbers of mature deer, Texas did. It also gets a lot of heat for not having much public land, but the state as a whole offers more public acreage than eleven other states on the list. Whitetails are the draw here, but don't forget about the bountiful Rio Grande turkey population and various exotics like axis, nilgai, and fallow deer that roam Texas.
West Virginia
Public Land Acreage: 1.7 million+
Licensed Hunters in the State: 220,000+
Resident License Cost: $19.00
Nonresident License Cost: $119.00
West Virginia is most accurately described by the late John Denver. If he had sung more about the awesome hunting opportunities the state offers he would have really hit the nail on the head. Like many Appalachian states, West Virginia has healthy, huntable populations of whitetail deer, black bear, eastern turkey, and various small game. If hunting the animal itself isn't enough to make your experience pleasurable, the raw, breathtaking scenery will be.
Wisconsin
Public Land Acreage: 7.2 million+
Licensed Hunters in the State: 715,000+
Resident License Cost: $18.00
Nonresident License Cost: $85.00
Wisconsin is home to more than ice fishing, cheese curds, and the Packers. It is home to the most Boone and Crockett whitetail entries in the entire country. Big bucks live here and big buck hunting is the culture. Wisconsin is an outdoorsman's state with plenty of opportunity and the overall hunting culture there is also second to none. They also offer a discounted fee for first time license buyers.
Wyoming
Travis Smola
Public Land Acreage: 35 million+
Licensed Hunters in the State: 130,000+
Resident License Cost: Varied license/tag options
Nonresident License Cost: Varied license/tag options
Wyoming is as good as it gets out west. The state has some large healthy populations of deer, elk, and pronghorn antelope. Often said to be the premiere state for pronghorn hunting, Wyoming has almost as many antelope as it does people. That's a lot of antelope and a lot of opportunity.
