Highest Deer Hunting Yields Ranked by State

Deer hunting has always been a popular activity in America. According to the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, out of approximately 16 million licensed hunters in the U.S., deer hunters account for over 8 million of those per year. Deer live in many parts of North America and hunters pursue them not just for sport, but for food as well. A single buck can provide up to 55 pounds of meat.

The most prevalent deer species worldwide is the white-tailed deer, with an estimated 30 million in the continental U.S., when accounting for subspecies. In comparison, the mule deer, North America’s second most common deer, has a population of approximately 4 million,  and are primarily found in western states.

Deer are found and hunted in almost all 50 states, with some regions providing more than others for hunters. Using information from the National Deer Association, a wildlife and habitat preservation organization, 24/7 Tempo has compiled a list of the top states for deer hunting.

While deer are hunted in almost every state, some regions are far more fruitful than others. Using data from the National Deer Association, a wildlife and habitat preservation organization, 24/7 Tempo identified the best states for deer hunting. All data is from the NDA’s Deer Report 2023, and states are ranked by the number of antlered bucks harvested for every 100 hunters in 2021, the most recent year for which figures were available. In the case of a tie, the state where the most antlerless deer were harvested per 100 hunters ranks higher. The NDA’s report focuses on the contiguous 48 states, excluding Alaska and Hawaii from consideration in this analysis. Additionally, data for deer harvested per 100 hunters was not available in California, Idaho, Maine, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and West Virginia. 

Of the 41 states considered, the number of antlered bucks harvested per 100 hunters in 2021 varies from 11 to 74. States with the highest hunter-to-buck ratios are primarily located in the South, while the states with the lowest ratios are predominantly in the Northeast. (These are the most popular American hunting areas.)

Here are the highest deer hunting yields ranked by state:

41. Vermont

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 51% rifle/shotgun; 28% bow/crossbow; 21% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 11 per 100 hunters (9,133 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 8 per 100 hunters (6,725 total)

40. New Hampshire

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 50% rifle/shotgun; 28% bow/crossbow; 21% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 14 per 100 hunters (8,103 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 8 per 100 hunters (4,448 total)

39. Massachusetts

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 32% rifle/shotgun; 48% bow/crossbow; 20% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 17 per 100 hunters (8,042 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 9 per 100 hunters (4,361 total)

38. Oklahoma

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 59% rifle/shotgun; 31% bow/crossbow; 10% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 19 per 100 hunters (69,308 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 13 per 100 hunters (48,321 total)

37. New York

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 62% rifle/shotgun; 28% bow/crossbow; 10% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 20 per 100 hunters (110,839 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 18 per 100 hunters (100,430 total)

36. North Dakota

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 80% rifle/shotgun; 19% bow/crossbow; 1% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 21 per 100 hunters (19,375 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 14 per 100 hunters (13,042 total)

35. Minnesota

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 81% rifle/shotgun; 13% bow/crossbow; 6% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 21 per 100 hunters (100,028 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 18 per 100 hunters (84,670 total)

34. Kentucky

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 73% rifle/shotgun; 21% bow/crossbow; 7% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 21 per 100 hunters (68,035 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 20 per 100 hunters (64,293 total)

33. New Jersey

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 26% rifle/shotgun; 64% bow/crossbow; 10% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 21 per 100 hunters (15,896 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 27 per 100 hunters (20,891 total)

32. Washington

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 86% rifle/shotgun; 9% bow/crossbow; 5% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 22 per 100 hunters (21,665 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 3 per 100 hunters (2,653 total)

31. Pennsylvania

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 60% rifle/shotgun; 35% bow/crossbow; 5% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 22 per 100 hunters (145,320 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 36 per 100 hunters (231,490 total)

30. Rhode Island

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 12% rifle/shotgun; 39% bow/crossbow; 49% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 23 per 100 hunters (1,215 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 18 per 100 hunters (949 total)

29. Connecticut

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 35% rifle/shotgun; 51% bow/crossbow; 5% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 24 per 100 hunters (5,747 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 13 per 100 hunters (3,052 total)

28. Wisconsin

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 66% rifle/shotgun; 32% bow/crossbow; 2% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 25 per 100 hunters (153,112 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 25 per 100 hunters (156,280 total)

27. Indiana

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 62% rifle/shotgun; 28% bow/crossbow; 10% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 26 per 100 hunters (53,752 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 28 per 100 hunters (58,730 total)

26. New Mexico

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: N/A
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 27 per 100 hunters (8,689 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 0 per 100 hunters (138 total)

25. Nebraska

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 82% rifle/shotgun; 12% bow/crossbow; 6% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 27 per 100 hunters (27,075 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 18 per 100 hunters (17,727 total)

24. Iowa

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 62% rifle/shotgun; 24% bow/crossbow; 14% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 27 per 100 hunters (45,181 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 35 per 100 hunters (57,629 total)

23. Oregon

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 88% rifle/shotgun; 10% bow/crossbow; 2% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 28 per 100 hunters (36,198 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 3 per 100 hunters (3,390 total)

22. Arkansas

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 74% rifle/shotgun; 16% bow/crossbow; 10% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 29 per 100 hunters (86,557 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 32 per 100 hunters (94,822 total)

21. Missouri

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 76% rifle/shotgun; 20% bow/crossbow; 5% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 30 per 100 hunters (143,815 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 32 per 100 hunters (151,328 total)

20. Illinois

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 52% rifle/shotgun; 45% bow/crossbow; 2% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 30 per 100 hunters (69,315 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 33 per 100 hunters (77,107 total)

19. Ohio

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 44% rifle/shotgun; 48% bow/crossbow; 6% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 30 per 100 hunters (88,969 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 37 per 100 hunters (108,019 total)

18. Arizona

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: N/A
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 33 per 100 hunters (14,312 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 0 per 100 hunters (104 total)

17. Colorado

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 87% rifle/shotgun; 7% bow/crossbow; 6% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 34 per 100 hunters (31,160 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 10 per 100 hunters (9,401 total)

16. North Carolina

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 76% rifle/shotgun; 14% bow/crossbow; 10% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 37 per 100 hunters (89,246 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 33 per 100 hunters (79,181 total)

15. Tennessee

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 66% rifle/shotgun; 13% bow/crossbow; 21% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 40 per 100 hunters (74,516 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 31 per 100 hunters (57,698 total)

14. Wyoming

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 93% rifle/shotgun; 7% bow/crossbow
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 41 per 100 hunters (23,957 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 19 per 100 hunters (11,104 total)

13. Michigan

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 62% rifle/shotgun; 32% bow/crossbow; 6% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 42 per 100 hunters (223,476 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 32 per 100 hunters (171,583 total)

12. Kansas

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 50% rifle/shotgun; 47% bow/crossbow; 3% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 42 per 100 hunters (45,215 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 36 per 100 hunters (38,792 total)

11. Maryland

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 50% rifle/shotgun; 35% bow/crossbow; 15% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 43 per 100 hunters (27,947 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 61 per 100 hunters (39,498 total)

10. Delaware

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 70% rifle/shotgun; 20% bow/crossbow; 9% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 44 per 100 hunters (6,891 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 54 per 100 hunters (8,492 total)

9. Georgia

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 83% rifle/shotgun; 15% bow/crossbow; 2% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 46 per 100 hunters (97,056 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 76 per 100 hunters (160,398 total)

8. South Dakota

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 81% rifle/shotgun; 17% bow/crossbow; 2% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 48 per 100 hunters (34,498 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 29 per 100 hunters (20,643 total)

7. Florida

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 67% rifle/shotgun; 22% bow/crossbow; 8% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 49 per 100 hunters (52,254 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 20 per 100 hunters (21,817 total)

6. Virginia

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 63% rifle/shotgun; 14% bow/crossbow; 23% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 51 per 100 hunters (93,919 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 53 per 100 hunters (97,812 total)

5. Alabama

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 76% rifle/shotgun; 21% bow/crossbow; 3% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 52 per 100 hunters (123,280 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 75 per 100 hunters (177,842 total)

4. Texas

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 87% rifle/shotgun; 11% bow/crossbow; 1% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 59 per 100 hunters (447,972 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 50 per 100 hunters (379,958 total)

3. Mississippi

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 73% rifle/shotgun; 16% bow/crossbow; 11% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 59 per 100 hunters (114,860 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 79 per 100 hunters (155,041 total)

2. Louisiana

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 79% rifle/shotgun; 9% bow/crossbow; 12% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 62 per 100 hunters (128,370 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 50 per 100 hunters (105,030 total)

1. South Carolina

• Deer harvested by weapon type, 2021: 90% rifle/shotgun; 8% bow/crossbow; 2% muzzleloader
• Antlered bucks harvested in 2021: 74 per 100 hunters (95,351 total)
• Antlerless deer harvested in 2021: 68 per 100 hunters (87,529 total)