deer hunting information for each state

State Deer Hunting Data and Information

Last Updated: September 18, 2023By

State Deer Hunting Information.

Deer hunting is a multibillion dollar impact to the United States economy. The financial impact comes from various avenues, including hunting licenses and fees, equipment sales, travel expenses, and more. Here are some specific details about the financial impact of deer hunters on the U.S. economy:

Hunting Licenses and Fees:

The money collected from deer hunting licenses and permits could potentially be allocated into conservation efforts, including habitat restoration, wildlife research, and public lands management. These funds are crucial for maintaining healthy deer populations and habitats.

Equipment and Gear:

Deer hunting requires a wide range of equipment, from firearms and ammunition to clothing, treestands, and optics. The sale of these items represents a large chunk of the economic impact. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has reported that the sale of hunting equipment generates billions in annual retail sales.

Travel and Lodging and Outfitting:

Deer hunters that travel out of state or long distances can have sizable expenses. Deer hunting travel can include expesnses such as guide fee, land leases, lodging, fuel, gear, food, etc.. This spending can be especially vital for rural areas, where hunting tourism can be a significant source of revenue during hunting seasons.

Jobs:

Deer hunting and the hunting industry does create jobs in our economy. Some of the jobs could include the following;

  • Tourism
  • Wildlife Management
  • Retail
  • Manufacturing
  • Guide Service

Conservation Funding:

Beyond license fees, excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment provide crucial funding for wildlife conservation efforts in the U.S. This comes through the Pittman-Robertson Act, which directs these funds to state wildlife agencies for conservation projects.

Economic Multiplier Effect:

Money spent by hunters circulates through the economy. For instance, a purchase at a local hunting gear store pays the salaries of its workers, who then spend that money in the community, and so on.

Land Leases and Hunting Rights:

Hunting rights and land leases are HUGE topics in the deer hunting industry. Hunting land lease prices continue to escalate across the entire Whitetail’s range. Leases are a great source of income for landowners and investors.

Economic Statistics:

According to a report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, hunters in the U.S. spent approximately $25.6 billion on trips, equipment, licenses, and other items in 2016.
Deer hunters make up a significant portion of the total number of hunters, with over 9 million deer hunters reported in the same survey.
Indirect Economic Benefits: Aside from direct spending, hunting helps in reducing deer-related damages, like vehicle collisions or agricultural losses, potentially saving local economies a significant amount.

It’s worth noting that while the economic benefits of deer hunting are vast, they are also tied to healthy deer populations and habitats. Sound wildlife management practices, funded in large part by hunters, ensure that these economic benefits continue year after year.

This page will help you answer questions like;

Which state has the most deer? Texas has the largest deer population and also has the largest deer harvest numbers in the US.

How many deer hunters are in “state”?

Which state is most likely to produce a Pope and Young or Boone and Crockett Trophy?

Whitetail Deer are found in the 48 states of the continental United States.

 

STATEFORESTED ACRESWHITETAIL DEER POPULATION
Alabama22.7 million acres1.5 million
Alaska129 million acresNot provided
Arizona7.6 million acresFew (not a primary habitat)
Arkansas18.8 million acres1 million
California33 million acresFew (mostly in the northeastern part)
Colorado24.4 million acresTens of thousands (eastern plains)
Connecticut1.8 million acres100,000+
Delaware355,000 acres35,000+
Florida17.3 million acres700,000+
Georgia24.8 million acres1.2 million
Hawaii1.7 million acresNot provided
Idaho21.5 million acresTens of thousands (mule deer state)
Illinois4.3 million acres700,000+
Indiana4.9 million acres600,000+
Iowa2.2 million acres400,000+
Kansas2.1 million acres600,000+
Kentucky12.4 million acres900,000+
Louisiana14.3 million acres500,000+
Maine17.6 million acres200,000+
Maryland2.7 million acres250,000+
Massachusetts3 million acres100,000+
Michigan19.3 million acres1.7 million
Minnesota16.3 million acres1 million
Mississippi19.8 million acres1.5 million
Missouri15.5 million acres1.2 million
Montana25 million acresFew (primarily a mule deer state)
Nebraska1.5 million acres350,000+
Nevada8 million acresVery few (primarily a mule deer state)
New Hampshire4.8 million acres100,000+
New Jersey2.1 million acres150,000+
New Mexico17.5 million acresFew (mostly mule deer)
New York18.9 million acres1 million+
North Carolina18.6 million acres1 million+
North Dakota673,000 acres100,000+
Ohio8 million acres700,000+
Oklahoma8.6 million acres500,000+
Oregon30.5 million acresFew (mule deer/black-tailed deer)
Pennsylvania16.6 million acres1.5 million+
Rhode Island392,000 acres20,000+
South Carolina13.1 million acres750,000+
South Dakota1.7 million acres300,000+
Tennessee14.1 million acres900,000+
Texas38.8 million acres4 million+
Utah8.8 million acresVery few (primarily a mule deer state)
Vermont4.5 million acres140,000+
Virginia15.9 million acres900,000+
Washington22.4 million acresFew (mule deer/black-tailed deer)
West Virginia12 million acres500,000+
Wisconsin16.7 million acres1.5 million+
Wyoming9.8 million acresFew (primarily a mule deer state)

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