How Many Hunters Delaware Has, and How It Compares to Other States

Hunting, while no longer a practical necessity, remains a popular pastime in the United States – and one that has drawn rising public interest in recent years. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, there were over 15.9 million licensed hunters in the U.S. in 2021, nearly 800,000 more than there were in 2018.

While hunting is a way of life for many Americans in all 50 states, in some parts of the country, it is far more popular than others.

In Delaware, 16,728 paid hunting licenses were issued in 2021. Adjusting for population, this comes out to 1.7 for every 100 people, the eighth fewest among states.

Explanations for hunting’s popularity in certain parts of the country vary. Hunting culture, simplicity of hunting laws, the size of available game, or the variety and abundance of animal species can all play a role. Many of the states with the most hunters per capita have access to public land open to sports men and women. According to the Protected Areas Database program of the U.S. Geological Survey, 14.6% of land area in Delaware is publicly protected, the 22nd lowest share among states.

All data on the number of licensed hunters is from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Population data used to adjust hunting license apportionments per capita came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey.

- Advertisement -

RankStatePaid hunting licenses issued in 2021 per 100 residentsPaid hunting licenses issued in 2021Publicly protected state land (%)1Wyoming23.5136,20554.232South Dakota23.0206,31616.933Montana20.9231,33937.604North Dakota19.4150,72421.655Idaho15.9301,99467.976Maine15.1207,84918.127West Virginia14.2253,95512.058Alaska13.498,20256.239Oklahoma12.5499,18211.7010Wisconsin11.4669,81314.6711Arkansas10.7323,47413.6112Tennessee10.4728,75910.1813Alabama10.0504,6005.8614Vermont10.064,34316.4615Minnesota9.6550,66318.8716Mississippi9.6283,0219.8217Louisiana9.6442,67810.1018Nebraska9.4185,0342.3619Kansas8.7255,1431.8920Missouri8.3509,9637.5521Utah8.0268,07571.9522Oregon7.8331,47556.8023Pennsylvania7.4953,90318.7024Kentucky7.1321,3477.7425Georgia7.1769,1059.8726Iowa6.9220,5763.0227New Mexico6.6140,68547.6028Michigan6.6660,93315.2929Colorado6.4370,73644.7430North Carolina6.2654,25110.7031Arizona4.8349,55455.0932New Hampshire4.460,62924.9133South Carolina4.2219,2229.3834Indiana4.0273,4234.6835Texas4.01,170,3164.1036Nevada3.4106,86183.2237Ohio3.1360,4216.0138Virginia2.9d>253,65015.9739New York2.8560,34615.3040Washington2.4185,14738.2841Illinois2.3289,9224.3142Maryland1.9116,42214.1143Delaware1.716,72814.5544Florida1.0217,11327.0445Connecticut0.930,80715.7946Massachusetts0.959,65219.4447Hawaii0.811,27040.5248New Jersey0.871,70723.6149Rhode Island0.77,98510.8950California0.7278,21055.86

spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

Keisha Lance Bottoms Launches 2026 Georgia Governor Bid, Slams Trump and Musk

Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has officially launched...

Evers says budget meeting set, must be about more than tax cut

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said...

Vindman’s campaign hit with FEC complaint

(The Center Square) – Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-Va., is...

Court amends rules in light of gag order against Tennessee attorney

(The Center Square) – A lawyer is declaring victory...

Why a meeting at 1 a.m. on major legislation? Just have to tune in

(The Center Square) – Accused of hiding something by...

Caddo agencies partnering for summer crime prevention activities

(The Center Square) — Caddo Parish agencies are partnering...

More like this
Related

Keisha Lance Bottoms Launches 2026 Georgia Governor Bid, Slams Trump and Musk

Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has officially launched...

Evers says budget meeting set, must be about more than tax cut

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said...

Vindman’s campaign hit with FEC complaint

(The Center Square) – Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-Va., is...