States with the most registered hunters

Meagan Drillinger
A hunter looking out on a ridge.
Canva

- 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

#50. California
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A hunter walks with a rifle in a forest.
Roman Kosolapov // Shutterstock

- 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

#49. Rhode Island
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Three hunters walking into a sunset.
kkhrustov // Shutterstock

- 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

#48. New Jersey
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A hog running on rocky path.
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- 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

#47. Hawaii
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Rocky Connecticut coastline.
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- 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

#46. Connecticut
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Hunter walking with rifle and a dog.
Zhanna Kavaliova // Shutterstock

- 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

#45. Massachusetts
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A deer in a backyard in front of trees.
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- 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

#44. Florida
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Hunter with rifle and dog in forest.
PRESSLAB // Shutterstock

- 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

#43. Delaware
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Hunter and hunting dogs chasing in the wilderness.
Robert Nyholm // Shutterstock

- 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

#42. Maryland
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Swamp landscape.
Canva

- 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

#41. Illinois
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Close up of a hunter dressed in camouflage holding a bow.
ZoranOrcik // Shutterstock

- 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

#40. Washington
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Close up of a rifle in a hunter's hand.
Canva

- 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

#39. New York
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A bird flying over greenery.
Canva

- 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

#38. Virginia
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Hunter walking in the fall hunting season.
Robert Nyholm // Shutterstock

- 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

#37. Ohio
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Mountain landscape with snow.
Canva

- 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

#36. Nevada
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Deer in the forest looking to the left.
Canva

- 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

#35. Texas
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Hunter and young boy with rifles in a field.
Canva

- 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

#34. Indiana
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Gator covered in swamp plants.
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- 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

#33. South Carolina
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Mountain landscape in the fall.
Canva

- 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

#32. New Hampshire
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Close up of a mountain lion.
Sumikophoto // Shutterstock

- 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

#31. Arizona
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Black bear standing on rocks.
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- 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

#30. North Carolina
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Close-up view of the hands of a fly fisherman holding a trout.
l i g h t p o e t // Shutterstock

- 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

#29. Colorado
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A deer in snow.
Canva

- 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

#28. Michigan
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Hunter with rifle.
Kaspars Grinvalds // Shutterstock

- 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

#27. New Mexico
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Low angle of a hunter walking.
Kichigin // Shutterstock

- 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

#26. Iowa
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Alligator in water.
Canva

- 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

#25. Georgia
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Mountain ridge at the start of fall.
Canva

- 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

#24. Kentucky
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A deer leaping over snow.
Canva

- 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

#23. Pennsylvania
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Hunter's binoculars, rifle and bag laid on grass in a forest.
mmpixel91 // Shutterstock

- 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

#22. Oregon
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Lake and trees on sunny day.
Canva

- 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

#21. Utah
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Walking path in a forest.
Canva

- 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

#20. Missouri
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Silhouette of a bow hunter.
ZoranOrcik // Shutterstock

- 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

#19. Kansas
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Two deer standing in a field.
Canva

- 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

#18. Nebraska
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Swamp landscape with a bird in the water.
Canva

- 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

#17. Mississippi
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Aerial view of a lake and forest in the fall.
Canva

- 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

#16. Minnesota
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Close up of an alligator in water.
Canva

- 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

#15. Louisiana
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An elk in a field.
Canva

- 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

#14. Vermont
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Trees in a forest.
Canva

- 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

#13. Alabama
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An elk in a field in fall.
Canva

- 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

#12. Tennessee
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A deer in the distance in a forest.
Canva

- 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

#11. Arkansas
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Hunter with rifle aimed forward.
Body Stock // Shutterstock

- 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

#10. Wisconsin
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Up angle of trees in woods.
Canva

- 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

#9. Oklahoma
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Brown Bear hunting for fish against an Alaskan landscape.
Jim David // Shutterstock

- 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

#8. Alaska
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Mountain ridge and river in fall.
Canva

- 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

#7. West Virginia
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Geese flying over grass.
Canva

- 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

#6. Maine
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Man with rifle looking out across a plain.
Canva

- 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

#5. Idaho
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Small deer walking in tall grass.
Canva

- 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

#4. North Dakota
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A brown beer walking in a forest.
Canva

- 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

#3. Montana
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A group of pheasant hunters.
Steve Oehlenschlager // Shutterstock

- 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

#2. South Dakota
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Three hunters on a mountain ridge looking for elk.
melissamn // Shutterstock

- 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.

#1. Wyoming
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Hunter walking carrying a rifle on a sunny fall day
Budjak Studio // Shutterstock