It’s always interesting to analyze the number of hunters in each state. If you’re trying to target a particular state or region with your marketing message, knowing where to get the most bang for your buck is just plain smart.

 

Hunter numbers by state aren’t difficult to find. Stats can be based on a variety of reporting methods (which I recently explained here). In case you’re wondering which states sell the most hunting licenses, let me save you a Google search:

 

Based on 2013 information from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Texas is the hands-down winner with slightly more than 1 million licenses sold. Next comes Pennsylvania at 969,000; Michigan with 763,000; Tennessee with 727,000; Wisconsin with 717,000; Minnesota with 592,000; New York with 535,000; Alabama with 507,000; and  Missouri with 496,583.

 

Those are some big numbers, for sure, but what’s even more interesting to look at is what percentage of any given state’s residents are hunters. Combining USFWS data with 2013 U.S. Census Bureau data, this chart is a snapshot of each state’s hunting enthusiasm. All stats are based on the population that is 15 years or older. Check it out. I hope you get more enjoyment from reading it than I did typing it.

 

And here’s a tip: Next time you get tired of anti-hunters putting a damper on your sport or your business, just to go South Dakota, where you’ll have nearly a 40% chance of always being in good company. 

 

State 2013 Paid Hunting License Holders License Holders as a % of Population Texas 1,060,455 5% Pennsylvania 969,633 9.20% Michigan 763,618 9.40% Wisconsin 717,381 15.20% Minnesota 592,125 13.40% New York 535,915 3.60% Tennessee 727,229 10.90% North Carolina 148,793 6.70% Alabama 507,403 13% Missouri 496,583 10% Ohio 404,997 4.30% Oklahoma 419,445 13.20% Arkansas 326,779 16.20% Georgia 395,219 4.70% Louisiana 370,528 9.80% Kentucky 340,902 9.30% Illinois 320,765 3.10% Virginia 276,660 4.40% California 283,539 0.90% Colorado 281,201 6.70% Indiana 278,322 5.30% Oregon 264,102 8% Idaho 258,547 20.40% South Dakota 244,182 37.20% Kansas 245,365 10.80% Montana 239,335 27.20% Iowa 222,695 9% Mississippi 219,798 9.30% West Virginia 220,811 13.90% Utah 207,331 9.80% South Carolina 206,397 5.40% Arizona 200,092 3.80% Nebraska 545,032 12.30% Washington 180,829 3.20% Florida 175,349 1.10% Maine 165,781 15.80% North Dakota 175,591 26.20% Wyoming 133,568 29.50% Maryland 124,187 2.50% Alaska 107,131 18.70% New Mexico 97,103 5.80% New Jersey 74,067 1.10% Vermont 72,930 14.30% Nevada 65,606 3% Massachusetts 56,797 1.10% New Hampshire 59,068 5.10% Connecticut 42,535 1.40% Delaware 16,786 2.30% Rhode Island 8,624 1% Hawaii 10,537 0.60% TOTAL 14,837,609 5.80%

Check back here at the Business Blog often. We’ll continue to bring you information on hunting population trends and demographics that will benefit your sales and marketing strategies.