Hunting Statistics and Facts

If you're like most hunters, you love learning about hunting statistics. It's fascinating to see how hunting has evolved over the years, and to see the trends that are emerging in the industry.

Did you know that there are over 13 million hunters in the United States? Or that the average hunter spends around $2000 every year on hunting-related activities? 

Whether you're a new hunter just getting started or an experienced outdoorsman, it's always good to brush up on your hunting knowledge. In this blog post, we'll share some interesting hunting statistics and facts that every hunter should know. Keep reading to learn more!

How Many Hunters Are There in the United States? 

According to the most recent data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, there are approximately 13.7 million hunters in the United States. This number has remained relatively steady over the past decade; in 2006, there were an estimated 14 million hunters in the U.S.

Hunting Statistics and Facts

Where Do Most Hunters Live? 

The majority of hunters (42%) live in rural areas, while 26% live in suburban areas and 32% live in urban areas.  

Where Do Most Hunters Live

Interestingly, although the number of Americans living in rural areas has decreased over time, the percentage of hunters who live in rural areas has remained relatively steady.

The most popular states for hunters are Texas, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.

Where Do Most Hunters Live

How Much Money Do Hunters Spend Every Year? 

On average, hunters spend around $2000 every year on hunting-related activities like equipment, licenses, and travel expenses. This doesn't include the cost of food or lodging while on a hunt. In total, hunters contribute around $25 billion to the economy every year. 

What Is The Most Popular Game Animal? 

The white-tailed deer is by far the most popular game animal in North America; around 6 million deer are harvested every year in the U.S. and Canada combined. Other popular game animals include wild turkeys (around 4 million harvested every year), black bears (around 300,000 harvested every year), and elk (around 200,000 harvested every year). 

Harvest per year

Other Interesting Facts

  1. In the United States, there were 38.59 million hunting licenses, tags, permits and stamps issued in 2021
  2. The most popular game animals in the United States are deer, turkey, and waterfowl. 
  3. In 2016, hunters in the United States spent an estimated $22.9 billion on hunting-related expenses. 
  4. The majority of hunters in the United States are white males between the ages of 18 and 34. 
  5. Hunting is a significant source of revenue for state and federal governments through the sale of hunting licenses and permits, as well as through excise taxes on firearms and ammunition. 
  6. Hunting also plays a role in wildlife management, as it helps to control populations of certain species of animals. 
  7. Hunting can have negative impacts on wildlife populations if it is not properly regulated. Game wardens and other law enforcement officials work to ensure that hunters are following the rules and regulations in place to help protect wildlife populations. 
  8. Some people oppose hunting for ethical reasons, as they believe that it is wrong to kill animals for sport or recreation. Others support hunting as a means of obtaining food or for its positive impact on wildlife populations
  9. In the United States, there are approximately 7 million hunting dogs.
  10. The states with the most hunters are Texas, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
  11. Most hunters use firearms to hunt, but some also use bows or crossbows.

As a hunter, it's always good to stay up-to-date on the latest hunting statistics and facts! Don’t forget to check out our riflescopes, binoculars, spotting scopes and digital night vision scopes!

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3 comments

Love this website! It tells me a lot of facts about hunting. I love hunting so very much! I just recently shot a deer! JESUS LOVES YOU MORE THAN YOU KNOW!!!!!!!

Brinley B

How many hunters are also veterans?

Erik

This was so interesting! I love hunting, and I’m hoping to get a whitetail buck this year with my compound bow. Thanks for this!

Killian Baker

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