From Maine to Connecticut: New England States Ranked Based on Registered Hunters

Deer hunting season, the most popular of all the hunting seasons, is about to begin. It's a tradition in New England that has been passed down by generations. It's a momentous moment when a young registered hunter bags their first deer.

There are hunters registered in every state in the country, but obviously, there are more in some states than others, based either on population or the amount of wilderness in the state that can lead to a healthy population of animals.

The website Stacker.com crunched the numbers and ranked the states by per capita hunting license holders based on 2023 data and 2022 American Community Survey population estimates. None of the New England states got the number one spot, but some came very close.

Here's a look at where each state ranks nationally for the number of registered hunters.

#6 - Maine

It's no surprise that Maine has the most hunters in New England and ranks sixth in the nation. In Maine, for every 100 people, there are 15 who have a hunting license, for a total of 207,849 paid registered hunters. The state makes $8,765,588 for all the hunting licenses, tags, permits, and stamps that hunters purchase.

#14 - Vermont

In Vermont, for every 100 people, there are 9.9 paid license holders for a total of 64,643 paid registered hunters, putting them at number 14 in the nation. The state makes $4,924,792 for all the hunting licenses, tags, permits, and stamps that hunters purchase.

#32 - New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, for every 100 people, there are 4.3 paid registered hunters, for a total of 60,629. The state makes $4,924,792 for all the hunting licenses, tags, permits, and stamps that hunters purchase.

#45 - Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, there are 0.9 paid hunting license holders for every 100 people, for a total of 59,652. The state makes $2,777,155 for all the hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps that hunters purchase.

#46 - Connecticut

In Connecticut, there are 0.8 paid hunting license holders for every 100 people, for a total of 30,807. The state makes $2,348,381 for all the hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps that hunters purchase.

#49 - Rhode Island