Purchase a Hunting License
Find a Hunting License by State or U.S. Territory
A hunting license is a connection to the outdoors, wildlife conservation, locally sourced food, and responsible stewardship. In most cases, to hunt legally in the United States, you must have a hunting license from the state where the hunt occurs and comply with the state fish and game agency requirements associated with that license. Hunting licenses can generally be purchased at any retail outlet that deals in hunting and fishing equipment, such as sporting goods stores. Every state has its own hunting regulations, so look up your state-specific requirements before heading out. Hunting regulations, seasons, and licenses help ensure sustainable wildlife populations while providing opportunities to participate in outdoor pursuits.
Wildlife Refuges that Allow Hunting
If you're hunting on a National Wildlife Refuge, some also require their own permits and/or user fees.
Hunting Funds Conservation
Purchasing a hunting license directly contributes to conservation efforts. License fees provide critical funding for state fish and wildlife agencies and are one part of the broader funding system that supports conservation and outdoor access across the country.
Each year, the Wildlife Restoration Program apportions millions of dollars to state fish and wildlife agencies. These funds are derived from federal manufacturer excise taxes collected through the Pittman-Robertson Act. Through this act, firearm, ammunition, and select archery equipment manufacturers pay a federal excise tax that has funded wildlife conservation for nearly a century.
Since 1937, more than $30 billion in Wildlife Restoration funds have been apportioned to state fish and wildlife agencies to fund wildlife management and research, habitat conservation, wildlife health monitoring, and hunter education courses. When combined with state hunting license fees, these investments create a powerful partnership that helps conserve wildlife and expand outdoor opportunities for current and future generations.
By the Numbers
Pittman-Robertson Act dollars fund:
- The management of more than 880 species of wild birds and mammals
- The conservation of more than 36 million acres of state-managed lands for wildlife habitat and public access
- Hunter education programs that have trained millions of participants
- The design, construction, and renovation of more than 800 publicly accessible target shooting ranges