Highest Percentage Of Hunters? Where Does North Dakota Rank?

North Dakota has its fair share of hunters.

The deer gun opener almost used to seem like a holiday. Just about everybody took that Friday off. Even some schools made that a vacation day. It literally looked like a sea of blaze orange if ventured into the country during deer season.

Things have changed somewhat over the last 20 years.

Fewer and fewer people are hunting. Even in North Dakota. According to an article I came across on Stacker, the main reasons include the rise in the urbanization of the United States, more hunting land being transformed into farmland, lack of free time among hunters, and less access to hunting land.

In North Dakota, gaining access to quality hunting land is becoming more of a challenge. Mainly due to the rise of guides and outfitters in the state tying up large tracks of land. Not to mention North Dakota is one of the most popular destinations in the country for out-of-state hunters. With no restrictions on the number of out-of-state hunters who hunt waterfowl, for example, it can get pretty crowded at times in the country. Competition for gaining access to fields and sloughs can be challenging.

From the people I've talked to over the years who no longer hunt, the number one reason they no longer venture out every fall chasing game is the lack of places to hunt. Me, as a lifelong hunter I understand their frustration. It's not the way it once was. There are still plenty of opportunities out there from generous landowners but it may require some work these days.

So, where does North Dakota rank in the United States when it comes to the highest percentage of hunters?

Here are the Top 10 States with the highest percentage of hunters.

10. Maine with 11.5% of people owning a hunting license.

9. West Virginia with 11.6% of people owning a hunting license.

8. Wisconsin with 11.7% of people owning a hunting license.

7. Alaska with 12.3% of people owning a hunting license. (I thought Alaska would be much higher.

6. Oklahoma with 14.3% of people owning a hunting license.

5. Idaho with 16.5% of people owning a hunting license.

4. NORTH DAKOTA with 17.2% of people owning a hunting license. (I thought this would be higher too.)

3. Montana with 21.1% of people owning a hunting license.

2. Wyoming with 22.7% of people owning a hunting license.

1. SOUTH DAKOTA with 24.1% of people owning a hunting license. Nearly 1 in 4 people in South Dakota hunt.