Quick Answer
A basic resident hunting license costs roughly $11 to $75 depending on the state in 2026, with most falling between $15 and $40; nonresident base licenses run from about $57 (Illinois) to over $700 (Montana’s big game combo), with most between $100 and $400. The base license is only the start: deer, elk and turkey tags, federal and state waterfowl stamps, habitat stamps and permit draws add to the total. Every state sells licenses online through its wildlife agency (many via the Go Outdoors or Brandt platforms), at license agents such as Walmart and sporting goods stores, and by phone; most require a hunter education certificate for first-time buyers born after a cut-off year. Fees change annually, so confirm the current price on the state agency’s site.
Key Takeaways
- Resident base licenses: cheapest in Michigan (~$11), Illinois (~$12), South Carolina (~$12), Georgia and Idaho (~$15); most states $20–$40.
- Nonresident: cheapest in Illinois (~$57), Rhode Island (~$65), Indiana (~$90); most expensive in Montana (~$760 combo), Washington (~$599 deer), Colorado (~$481 combo), Arkansas ($410).
- Tags and stamps are extra: deer tags $10–$60 resident, $150–$700 nonresident; federal duck stamp $25; state upland and habitat stamps $5–$30.
- Seniors 65+ often get free or discounted licenses; youth licenses are free or under $10 in most states; many states offer lifetime licenses.
- Hunter education (one-time course, often $10–$30 online) is required for first-time buyers in nearly every state.
- Buy online at the state agency site or through Go Outdoors / Brandt vendor pages; licenses are usually valid for a license year, not 12 months from purchase.
Hunting license prices vary more than almost any other state fee: a Michigan resident pays about $11 for a base license while a nonresident hunting elk in Montana can pay more than $1,000 once tags are added. The figures below are the base license costs reported for 2026, compiled from state agency schedules, and they are starting points; the real cost of a hunt is the license plus the tags, stamps and permits for the species. This guide gives the state-by-state base fees, explains what else you will pay, covers youth, senior, lifetime and military options, and explains how to buy. Verify every fee on the state agency’s website before relying on it, because legislatures adjust them yearly.
Hunting License Costs by State (Base License, 2026)
| State | Resident | Nonresident | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | ~$34 | ~$399 | Residents 65+ may be exempt from base license |
| Alaska | ~$45 | ~$160 | Big game tags extra and substantial |
| Arizona | ~$37 | ~$160 | Free Pioneer license for qualifying residents 70+ |
| Arkansas | ~$35 | $410 | Youth free |
| California | ~$64 | ~$225 | Deer tags separate |
| Colorado | ~$47 (deer) | ~$481 (deer/fishing combo) | Senior discounts 64+; elk tags separate and high |
| Connecticut | $38 (firearms) | $182 (firearms) | Free for residents 65+ |
| Delaware | ~$39 | ~$199 | — |
| Florida | ~$17 | ~$151 | Residents 65+ generally exempt |
| Georgia | ~$15 | ~$100 | Youth $15; lifetime licenses |
| Hawaii | ~$20 | ~$105 | — |
| Idaho | ~$15 | ~$185 | Senior combo 65+ ~$11.75 |
| Illinois | ~$12 | ~$57 | Youth $7.50; cheapest nonresident |
| Indiana | ~$20 | ~$90 | — |
| Iowa | ~$22 | ~$141 (hunt/habitat) | Reduced for 65+ |
| Kansas | ~$25 | ~$125 | Discounted 65+ |
| Kentucky | ~$28 | ~$169 | Senior combo 65+ |
| Louisiana | ~$20 | ~$200 | Youth $5 |
| Maine | ~$26 (big game) | ~$115 (big game) | — |
| Maryland | ~$24 (big game 16+) | ~$115 | — |
| Massachusetts | ~$40 | ~$112 | — |
| Michigan | ~$11 | ~$151 | Cheapest resident; 65+ discounts; disabled veterans free |
| Minnesota | ~$35 (deer firearm) | ~$186 (deer firearm) | Discounts 65+ |
| Mississippi | ~$25 (all game) | ~$300 (all game) | Free resident 65+ |
| Missouri | ~$19 (firearms any-deer) | ~$360 | — |
| Montana | ~$16 (general deer) | ~$760 (general deer combo) | Most expensive nonresident |
| Nebraska | ~$42 (unit buck) | ~$372 (unit buck) | — |
| Nevada | ~$75 (adult combo) | ~$155 (adult combo) | Youth $15 |
| New Hampshire | ~$32 | ~$113 | Free for residents born 1947 or earlier |
| New Jersey | ~$27 (firearm) | ~$135 (firearm) | — |
| New Mexico | ~$60 (standard deer) | ~$398 (standard deer) | — |
| New York | ~$22 | ~$100 | $5 reduced for 70+ |
| North Carolina | ~$32 | ~$124 | — |
| North Dakota | ~$35 (deer gun lottery) | ~$355 | — |
| Ohio | ~$19 | ~$180 | Youth $10; senior reductions |
| Oklahoma | ~$36 | ~$209 | — |
| Oregon | ~$39 | ~$193 | Discount 70+; disabled veterans free combo |
| Pennsylvania | ~$20 | ~$107 | Senior licenses 65+; $2.97 for certain veterans |
| Rhode Island | ~$24 | ~$65 | — |
| South Carolina | ~$12 | ~$125 | Discounts 65+ |
| South Dakota | ~$45 (deer archery) | ~$375 (deer archery) | Youth $5 deer |
| Tennessee | ~$33 (hunt/fish combo) | ~$305 (annual all game) | Discounts 65+ |
| Texas | ~$25 | ~$315 | Youth $7; Senior Super Combo $32 for 65+ |
| Utah | ~$40 | ~$144 | — |
| Vermont | ~$28 | ~$102 | Free combo 66+; lifetime $60 option |
| Virginia | ~$23 | ~$111 | Lifetime basic for 65+ at $9 |
| Washington | ~$61 (deer) | ~$599 (deer) | Discounts 70+ |
| West Virginia | ~$19 (Class A) | ~$119 | Youth under 15 free; discounts 65+ |
| Wisconsin | ~$24 (gun deer) | ~$200 (gun deer) | Discounts 65+; active duty at resident rates |
| Wyoming | ~$42 (deer) | ~$374 (deer) | Discounts 65+ |
Figures are approximate base annual license fees compiled from state schedules for 2026 (as reported by Hunter-Ed and state agencies); where a state sells only species-specific licenses, the common deer or combination license is shown. They exclude tags, stamps, draw application fees and vendor convenience fees. Confirm on the state wildlife agency’s site.
What Else You Will Pay
- Species tags and permits: deer tags $10–$60 for residents and $150–$700 for nonresidents; elk, antelope, bear and moose tags are higher and often by draw; turkey permits $10–$50.
- Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp (duck stamp): $25 for anyone 16+ hunting waterfowl, plus a state waterfowl stamp ($5–$30) in most states.
- Habitat, conservation or upland stamps: $5–$30 where required (Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and others).
- HIP registration: free but required for migratory bird hunters.
- Draw and application fees: $5–$20 per species in limited-entry states, often non-refundable.
- Hunter education: a one-time course, $10–$30 for the online version in most states, required for first-time buyers born after a cut-off (varies by state, commonly 1960s–1980s).
- Vendor and convenience fees: $1–$5 per transaction online or at agents.
Youth, Senior, Military and Lifetime Licenses
Nearly every state sells youth licenses (typically under 16 or 18) free or for under $10, and many allow youth to hunt under a mentor without a license during special seasons. Seniors (usually 65+, sometimes 60+ or 70+) receive discounted or free licenses in most states, and several states (Texas, Florida, Mississippi, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Virginia) offer free or nominal licenses to older residents. Active-duty military stationed in a state often pay resident rates, and disabled veterans receive free or reduced licenses in many states. Lifetime licenses, priced from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars depending on age at purchase, are offered by around half the states and pay for themselves in 10–20 years for regular hunters.
How to Buy a Hunting License Online
- Go to your state wildlife agency’s website (Department of Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife, Game and Fish, Parks and Wildlife, or similar). Many use the Go Outdoors platform (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, Ohio and others) or Brandt’s licensing system; the agency site links to the correct store.
- Create an account with your driver’s license or state ID number, date of birth and address; residency is verified against the ID.
- Enter your hunter education certificate number if required (first-time buyers born after the state’s cut-off).
- Select the license, then add the tags, stamps and permits for the species you will hunt; the system prompts for required add-ons.
- Pay; print the license or save the digital version. Most states accept a license displayed on a phone, but some require a printed tag to attach to harvested game.
Licenses are also sold at agents (Walmart, Bass Pro, Cabela’s, Academy, local sporting goods and bait shops) and by phone. Most run for a license year (for example, September 1 to August 31 in Alabama, July 1 to June 30 in many states, or the calendar year) rather than 12 months from purchase.
Tips to Avoid Overpaying
- Buy a combination hunting and fishing license if you do both; combos are discounted in most states.
- Check whether a multi-year or lifetime license makes sense; many states offer 3- or 5-year licenses at a small discount.
- Nonresidents: compare the cost of a short-term (3-, 5- or 7-day) license to the annual one for a single trip.
- Apply for draw tags early and understand preference-point systems; fees for points add up over years.
- Confirm reciprocity and resident definitions if you own property or are a student or military member in another state.
- Do not buy from third-party sites that charge large markups; the state agency’s site or a licensed agent is the only legitimate source.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a hunting license cost?
A resident base license runs roughly $11–$75 depending on the state in 2026, most $15–$40. Nonresident base licenses run from about $57 to over $700. Tags, stamps and permits add to that. Check the state agency for current fees.
Which state has the cheapest hunting license?
For residents, Michigan (~$11), Illinois (~$12) and South Carolina (~$12) are among the cheapest. For nonresidents, Illinois (~$57) and Rhode Island (~$65) are the lowest base fees.
Which state has the most expensive hunting license?
Montana’s nonresident big game combination (~$760) and Washington’s nonresident deer license (~$599) are among the highest, and elk tags in Western states can exceed $1,000.
Can I buy a hunting license online?
Yes. Every state sells licenses through its wildlife agency’s website, often on the Go Outdoors or Brandt platforms, as well as at license agents and by phone. You will need ID, and first-time buyers usually need a hunter education certificate.
Do seniors get free hunting licenses?
In many states, yes or at a reduced price, typically from age 65 (sometimes 60 or 70). Texas, Florida, Mississippi, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont and Virginia are among those with free or nominal senior licenses.
Conclusion
The base hunting license is cheap for residents almost everywhere and expensive for nonresidents in the Western big-game states, and the tags and stamps on top are what actually set the cost of a hunt. Use the table to compare, buy through the state agency’s own site or an agent, take hunter education once, and look at combination, senior, youth and lifetime options that most states offer. Then confirm the fee on the agency site, because it will have changed by the time you read this.
