With dozens of species available at hundreds of locations across the country, the United States makes a great hunting destination. Read on to learn about what you need to hunt in the U.S., where the best hunting destinations are, how to find a good outfitter, and more.
You should also check out our pages on crossing the U.S. border with firearms, and our information on hunting in Canada if you are thinking of doing that as well.
What Licenses Do I Need to Hunt in the United States?
Getting Your Hunting License
Generally speaking, hunting is regulated by U.S. States, not the federal government. The U.S. federal government does regulate things like the transport of weapons across state and national lines. You will need to obtain a hunting license in the state you will be hunting in, even if you’re hunting on private property. You can usually buy a license at sporting goods stores and other shops that sell hunting and fishing equipment. There might also be additional permits and fees required if you’re planning to hunt on a national wildlife preserve.
There are likely to be differences between pricing and regulations for licenses for residents and non-residents of the state. Depending on the state, there are also some groups that might not need licenses, such as kids under 16, or potentially people over 65.
Hunting Tags for Big Game
For big game animals, you may need to obtain a “tag” for each individual animal you harvest, depending on the state’s laws. You buy tags in advance and can only hunt as many animals as you have tags for.
Draws for Hunting
For some animals, there are more hunters than there are tags, so there will be a “draw,” a lottery system that decides who gets a tag. Draws will vary by state or county, but there’s frequently a system in place that gives you a better chance in the next year’s draw every time you don’t win the current year’s.
Waterfowl Duck Stamp for Hunting Waterfowl
Everyone over 16 who wants to hunt any waterfowl in the U.S. will need to purchase a duck stamp. These go toward conservation efforts an ensure that the sport will be able to continue with healthy animal populations. It’s also possible for anyone to purchase a duck stamp, whether or not they plan to go hunting.
Where Can I Hunt in the United States?
In the U.S., you can hunt at over 400 national wildlife refuges, wetland management districts, and national fish hatcheries. Check out this map from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to see which animals are available at various locations. (Note that these hunting grounds do not include national parks, as hunting is not allowed in those.) You can also hunt on private property – with permission from the owners, of course.
Each state will have their own regulations, and wildlife refuges will have their own rules as well. Always be sure to check with them before setting off on your trip.
Tips for Hunting on Private Land
- Approach landowners who are in remote areas, rather than close to towns.
- You’ll probably have better luck with finding game animals, and the landowners won’t be as overwhelmed with frequent requests.
- Be kind and respectful and try to build a relationship with the landowner.
- This may mean hunting the animals they want you to hunt at first, or taking time to make conversation with them.
- Check that you are talking to the actual landowner.
- You can usually confirm this with public records.
- Consider leasing land if you can’t find someone to ask permission.
- You can pay a private landowner for the use of their land. You can lease land for a day, a month, or even several years depending on the agreement. Prices will vary.
Tips for Hunting on Public Land
- There will be more hunters around, so you should check the maps ahead of time to find the most remote locations if you want less competition for game.
- Most national wildlife refuges and other public areas that allow hunting charge a small entrance fee (usually $3-5 dollars per day). You can buy a federal recreation pass or a duck stamp instead if you’ll be visiting for multiple days.
Hunting with Outfitters / Guides
Many people choose to hire a hunting guide or outfitter. Outfitters can help you successfully and ethically track game, and can provide you with clothing and gear so you don’t have to purchase your own. They should also be up to date on the regulations for the state they work in, so they can help you avoid breaking the law.
How to Find a Good Hunting Outfitter:
- Check if they’re registered / licensed with the state they operate in.
- Some states will have outfitter lists on their websites.
- If there’s a local guide / outfitter association, check whether they’re a member of that too.
- Ask for references.
- A good outfitter should have previous satisfied customers willing to vouch for them.
- Ask them questions.
- They should be easy to communicate with and open to discussing your trip and any questions you have. Be sure to clarify with them what services they offer, whether they follow local regulations, and what your own goals for the trip are.
Where is the Best Hunting in the United States?
There are great hunting opportunities all across the country, so consider what kind of animals you’re interested in harvesting. Below, we’ve listed some of the most popular game animals, and where you’ll find the best hunting opportunities for them.
Hunting Big Game Animals in the U.S.
- Bears
- Most commonly hunted are black bears and brown bears.
- Numbers are limited, so there is typically a draw and only a few hunters each year will get to hunt them in each state or region.
- The most popular places to hunt bears is Alaska, Arizona, North Carolina, Northern Wisconsin, and Idaho.
- Caribou
- Only U.S. state they are found in is Alaska.
- Cougars
- Numbers are limited, so there is typically a draw and only a few hunters each year will get to hunt them in each state or region.
- Montana, Idaho, Colorado, and Arizona are the most popular cougar hunting destination.
- Deer
- Deer are the most popular North American big game animal to hunt by far. Most commonly hunted are whitetail deer and mule deer.
- Available almost everywhere, but most popular in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Iowa, Mississippi, Texas, South Carolina, and Georgia.
- Elk
- Elk are most commonly hunted in Colorado, Oregon, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, Washington
- Mountain lions
- U.S. lion numbers are limited, so there is typically a draw and only a few hunters each year will get to hunt them in each state or region.
- You can hunt mountain lions in Montana, Idaho, Arizona, and Colorado
- Wild hogs
- Typically found in the Southern U.S. and Hawaii. Specific states include South Carolina, Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, and Texas.
Hunting Small Game Animals in the U.S.
- Rabbits / hares
- Most commonly hunted species include Eastern Cottontails, Snowshoe Rabbits, and Jackrabbits. They can be hunted in winter, providing a good option when most other game animals are out of season.
- Rabbits are everywhere! Different hunters will give you their opinions on the best states, which can range from Oregon to Maine, Texas to Iowa.
- Some states don’t even require tags or have limits on the number of rabbits you can hunt.
- Squirrels
- Most commonly hunted are Grey, Fox, and Red Squirrels.
- Like rabbits, squirrels are just about everywhere, and they often have long seasons and bag limits (the number you can catch per day).
- States with the best spring seasons for squirrel hunting include Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Texas has many counties where you can hunt squirrels year-round.
- Foxes
- Red and gray foxes are the most common varieties.
- Foxes can be found throughout the United States, although they’re less common in the Southwest. Some popular states include Colorado, Texas, Wisconsin, Virginia.
- Coyotes
- Coyotes are quite common and can be found in many places. Some popular states include Nevada, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming.
Hunting Birds in the U.S.
- Waterfowl (Ducks, Geese)
- Migratory waterfowl can be found across the country at different times of year.
- Hunters must purchase a duck stamp to hunt waterfowl.
- Waterfowl can be hunted in California, New York, and just about everywhere in between. Like rabbits, different hunters will have their own opinions on the best states to visit for hunting. Some commonly mentioned states include Louisiana, North Dakota, and Minnesota.
- Pheasants
- The best pheasant hunting states include Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Kansas, South Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, and Colorado.
- Quail
- Several different quail species are hunted in the U.S., and many live in different regions. For example, the West is home to the California Quail, and the Southeast is home to the Bobwhite Quail.
- Some of the best quail hunting states include Idaho, Arizona, Missouri, Kentucky, and Kansas.
- Turkeys
- Turkeys are often hunted in Texas, Florida, Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Tennessee, Kansas.
Can I Hunt with a Dog in the U.S.?
As with many other aspects of hunting, this depends on state and local regulations. While some southern states still allow dog-hunting for whitetail deer, most have banned it. Many states restrict dogs from killing any kind of game. Some do not permit dogs on public hunting lands at all. However, there are still places, seasons, and types of animals where dog-hunting is legal.
You might need a separate license for your hunting dog in addition to your own. If you’re traveling across the U.S. border with your dog, check our page on how to bring your hunting dog into the country.
Make sure to dress your dog in hunter orange to prevent any accidents!
Important Hunting Rules
- While exact penalties and regulations may vary by state, you should never hunt while intoxicated.
- On federal lands, it’s against the law to consume any alcohol at all.
- On private lands, rules regarding alcohol and firearm use may depend more on the state, but it is almost always a serious crime, and it is always a bad and dangerous idea.
- Guns and other weapons
- Regulations for firearms are different in different states, and you’ll need to check the local laws for your destination, as well as obtaining any required registration.
- If you’re going to be transporting any firearms, either into the U.S. or across state borders, you should check our page on how to safely and legally do so with the least amount of hassle.
- When hunting on public lands, you should be extra careful to check their particular rules regarding guns and bows. For example, the National Forest Service has restrictions that prohibit shooting within 150ft of an area where people are likely to be, shooting across bodies of water or into caves, and requirements that you always transporting weapons unloaded and in secure cases.
Hunting Tips & FAQ
- Check the regulations for the state you’ll visit, and make sure you check them close to the date of your hunting trip. They can change!
- Hunt early in the season, and on weekdays instead of weekends. This is the best way to avoid crowds and have large animal populations.
- If you’re using bait to hunt, it might not be allowed across the U.S. border if it contains plant or animal materials. On your return trip, you’ll probably be allowed to bring back any meat you harvested, but it might depend on a few factors, such as how much you’re transporting, and whether there are currently any disease outbreaks affecting the animals you hunted. Similar rules may apply for bringing back hides and trophies.
- For more detailed and up-to-date information, visit our page on items you can’t bring into the United States.
- Can foreigners hunt in the United States?
- Yes! You will need a license and any other tags and requirements that U.S. residents need.
- Check out our resources for transporting firearms if you plan to bring your own into the country.
- If you’re driving to the U.S. from Canada, find information and traffic updates for the border crossing port you’ll be using.
- How many people hunt in the U.S.?
- The numbers fluctuate from year to year. In the past couple of decades, approximately 13-15 million people have hunted per year, which is less than 4% of the country’s population.