Last updated on December 12th, 2024 at 01:03 pm
Hunting provides experiences that very few exposures match the thrill and enjoyment of this great outdoors. Our detailed guide to the Top 10 Hunting Locations in the USA (Best hunting states in USA) will help the readers to uncover some of the most scenic and game-rich spots. However, it is highly recommended to check and confirm the regulations being enforced in each state for hunting in USA.
Tongass National Forest, Alaska
The Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the United States. It offers multiple and diverse hunting opportunities.
Opportunities Offered: Black bear hunting and Sitka black-tailed deer hunting
How to Reach:
Nearest airport: Juneau International Airport (JNU)
Boat or floatplane to remote areas
Fees: Hunting license required ($45 for residents, $160 for non-residents, annual) and Additional tag fees for specific species
Routes: From Juneau, travel by boat or floatplane to designated hunting locations.
Permits: Alaska hunting license and Specific game tags.
Safety Precautions: Be aware of bear encounters. Carry necessary survival gear.
Number of Days for Each Trip: 3-7 days
Essential Gear to Carry: Hunting rifles, Camouflage clothing, and Bear spray.
Camping Facilities: Remote camping sites are available.
Dangers Associated with Each Location: Bear encounters and Harsh weather conditions.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming/Montana/Idaho
Yellowstone National Park offers hunting opportunities in designated areas. These are outside the park boundaries.
Opportunities Offered: Elk hunting and Deer hunting.
How to Reach:
Nearest airport: Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)
Car rental or shuttle services from the airport.
Fees: A hunting license is required ($55 for residents, $630 for non-residents, annual). Additional tag fees are also required for specific species.
Routes: From Bozeman, take US-191 S to reach Yellowstone (approx. 1.5 hours drive).
Permits: Wyoming, Montana, or Idaho hunting license and Specific game tags.
Safety Precautions: Be aware of bear encounters. Carry necessary survival gear.
Number of Days for Each Trip: 3-7 days
Essential Gear to Carry: Hunting rifles, Camouflage clothing, and Bear spray
Camping Facilities: Remote camping sites are available.
Dangers Associated with Each Location: Bear encounters and Harsh weather conditions.
Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina/Tennessee
The Great Smoky Mountains offer diverse hunting opportunities in designated areas.
Opportunities Offered: Deer and Wild turkey hunting.
How to Reach:
Nearest airport: McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)
Car rental or shuttle services from the airport.
Fees: A Hunting license is required ($25 for residents, $200 for non-residents, annual). Additional tag fees for specific species.
Routes: From Knoxville, take US-441 S to reach the Great Smoky Mountains (approx. 1 hour drive).
Permits: North Carolina or Tennessee hunting license and Specific game tags.
Safety Precautions: Be aware of bear encounters. Carry necessary survival gear.
Number of Days for Each Trip: 3-5 days
Necessary Gear to Carry: Hunting rifles, Camouflage clothing.
Camping Facilities: Remote camping sites are available.
Dangers Associated with Each Location: Harsh weather conditions.
Adirondack Mountains, New York
The Adirondack Mountains offer extensive hunting opportunities. The area is scenic.
Opportunities Offered: Deer and Black bear hunting.
How to Reach:
Nearest airport: Albany International Airport (ALB)
Car rental or shuttle services from the airport.
Fees: A hunting license is required ($22 for residents, $100 for non-residents, annual). Additional tag fees for specific species.
Routes: I-87 N to reach the Adirondacks (approx. 2 hours drive)
Permits: North Carolina or Tennessee hunting license. And specific game tags
Safety Precautions: Be aware of bear encounters. Carry necessary survival gear.
Number of Days for Each Trip: 3-5 days
Necessary Gear to Carry: Hunting rifles, Camouflage clothing, and Bear spray.
Camping Facilities: Remote camping sites are available.
Dangers Associated with Each Location: Bear encounters and Harsh weather conditions.
Black Hills, South Dakota
The Black Hills, with its rugged terrain, offers many hunting opportunities to hunting enthusiasts. The hills offer the best deer hunting in the USA to avid hunters.
Opportunities Offered: Deer and Elk hunting
How to Reach:
The nearest airport: Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP).
Car rental or shuttle services from the airport.
Fees: Hunting license required ($33 for residents, $300 for non-residents, annual). And additional tag fees for specific species.
Routes: From Rapid City, take US-16 W to reach the Black Hills (approx. 1 hour drive)
Permits: North Carolina or Tennessee hunting license. And specific game tags.
Safety Precautions: Be aware of wild animal encounters. And also Carry necessary survival gear.
Number of Days for Each Trip: 3-5 days
Necessary Gear to Carry: Hunting rifles, Camouflage clothing, GPS.
Camping Facilities: Remote camping sites are available.
Dangers Associated with Each Location: Wild animal encounters and Harsh weather conditions.
San Juan National Forest, Colorado
The San Juan National Forest offers excellent hunting opportunities in a scenic landscape.
Opportunities Offered: Elk and Mule deer hunting (This area is famous for the best mule deer hunting in USA)
How to Reach:
Nearest airport: Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO)
Car rental or shuttle services from the airport.
Fees: Hunting license required ($26 for residents, $660 for non-residents, annual). And additional tag fees for specific species.
Routes: From the Airport, use US-160 W to reach the San Juan National Forest (approx. 1-hour drive)
Permits: Colorado hunting license. And specific game tags
Safety Precautions: Be aware of wild animal encounters and carry essential survival gear.
Number of Days for Each Trip: 3-5 days
Necessary Gear to Carry: Hunting rifles, Camouflage clothing, and Bear spray
Camping Facilities: Remote camping sites are available.
Dangers Associated with Each Location: Bear encounters and Harsh weather conditions.
White River National Forest, Colorado
White River National Forest is famous for its wilderness and diverse hunting opportunities. Also one can experience the best deer hunting in USA in this forest.
Opportunities Offered: Elk and deer hunting
How to Reach:
Nearest airport: Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE)
Car rental or shuttle services from the airport.
Fees: Hunting license required ($36 for residents, $651 for non-residents, annual). And additional tag fees for specific species.
Routes: White River National Forest can be reached via I-70 E (approx. 30 minutes to 1 hour drive)
Permits: Colorado hunting license and specific game tags.
Safety Precautions: Be aware of wildlife encounters and Carry essential survival gear.
Number of Days for Each Trip: 3-5 days
Necessary Gear to Carry: Hunting rifles, Camouflage clothing, and GPS.
Camping Facilities: Remote camping sites are available.
Dangers Associated with Each Location: Wildlife encounters and Harsh weather conditions.
Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania
Allegheny National Forest offers secluded hunting opportunities in a lush forested environment. The forest is also famous for the best deer hunting in USA.
Opportunities Offered: Whitetail deer and Turkey hunting.
How to Reach:
Nearest airport: Erie International Airport (ERI)
Car rental or shuttle services from the airport.
Fees: Hunting license required ($20 for residents, $101 for non-residents, annual). And additional tag fees for specific species.
Routes: From Erie, take US-6 E to reach Allegheny National Forest (approx. 1.5 hours drive).
Permits: Pennsylvania hunting license and specific game tags
Safety Precautions: Be aware of bear encounters and Carry necessary survival gear.
Number of Days for Each Trip: 3-5 days
Necessary Gear to Carry: Hunting rifles, Camouflage clothing, and Bear spray
Camping Facilities: Remote camping sites are available.
Dangers Associated with Each Location: Wildlife encounters and Harsh weather conditions.
Shawnee National Forest, Illinois
Shawnee National Forest offers hunting in a diverse landscape with rolling hills and dense woodlands. This location is also famous for the best whitetail deer hunting in USA.
Opportunities Offered: Whitetail deer and Turkey hunting.
How to Reach:
Nearest airport: Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL)
Car rental or shuttle services from the airport.
Fees: Hunting license required ($15 for residents, $35 for non-residents, annual). And additional tag fees for specific species.
Routes: From St. Louis airport, take I-64 E to reach Shawnee National Forest (approx. 2 hours drive).
Permits: Illinois hunting license and specific game tags.
Safety Precautions: Be aware of bear encounters and Carry necessary survival gear.
Number of Days for Each Trip: 3-5 days
Necessary Gear to Carry: Hunting rifles or bows, Camouflage clothing, and Bear spray
Camping Facilities: Remote camping sites are available.
Dangers Associated with Each Location: Venomous snakes and Harsh weather conditions.
Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont
Green Mountain National Forest offers hunting in a scenic mountainous region with diverse wildlife. It is known for best whitetail deer hunting in USA.
Opportunities Offered: Whitetail deer and Bear hunting
How to Reach:
Nearest airport: Burlington International Airport (BTV)
Car rental or shuttle services from the airport.
Fees: A hunting license is required ($22 for residents, $100 for non-residents, annual). And additional tag fees are needed for specific species.
Routes: VT-7 S provides easy access to Green Mountain National Forest (approx. 1.5 hours drive).
Permits: Vermont hunting license and specific game tags.
Safety Precautions: Be aware of bear encounters. And also Carry necessary survival gear.
Number of Days for Each Trip: 3-5 days.
Necessary Gear to Carry: Hunting rifles or bows, Camouflage clothing, and Bear spray
Camping Facilities: Remote camping sites are available.
Dangers Associated with Each Location: Bear encounters and harsh weather conditions.
Conclusion
In this comprehensive guide, we have included our hunting experiences to make it as practical as possible for our readers. The detailed information about the top 10 hunting locations in the USA, covers essential aspects such as location details, opportunities offered, transportation, permits, safety precautions etc. Each area is linked to official websites for further information and booking.
