If you live in Wyoming, you know we are a destination state for hunting. Hunters will try each year to get a coveted license for any of the best big game hunting opportunities in the state.
With such a wide variety of species found here, there is no doubt that being lucky enough to draw is special.
World Population Review has ranked Wyoming as the #8 best state to hunt in 2022.
Here’s a look at the top 10 states for hunting.
- Alaska
- Mountain
- Idaho
- South Dakota
- North Dakota
- Wisconsin
- Minnesota
- Wyoming
- West Virginia
- Pennsylvania
For the rankings, the state had to have a couple of main characteristics
A large percentage of the state’s population hunts and a large amount of public land is open to hunting.
Other factors were then calculated.
- hunting traditions
- variety of hunting
- amount of game to hunt
- hunting regulations
Wyoming scored pretty high in each category with a quarter of the population being hunters, 31.4 million public acres, and the wide variety of hunting opportunities.
Boone and Crockett was established in 1887 and is an important part of game conservation throughout the United States. B&C is also an organization that has also been keeping track of the record books of the largest game animals ever caught. It is a prestigious honor for a hunter to have their animal hold the Boone and Crockett record.
The animal must have an official score and be verified by an official judge, to be considered as a world record. Not only do they keep one of the largest registries in the country, but they have a state-by-state registry book.
It’s really interesting that in Wyoming, a lot of the Boone and Crockett records are from years ago. The newest record on the Boone and Crockett Wyoming books is a pronghorn from 2015.
Take a look at some of Wyoming’s Booner’s
- Typical Whitetail – 1986 191 5/8
- Typical Mule Deer – 217 of 1925
- Typical American Moose – 441 6/8, 1890
- Pronghorn – 91 4/8 (3 tied) from 2011, 2012 and 2015
- Grizzly Bear – 25 10/16, 1961 (skull measurements)
- Black Bear – 21 15/16 1976 (skull measurements)
- Bison – 1925 136 2/8 (horn measure)
- Bighorn Sheep – 200 from 1883
- Shiras Moose – 205 1952 4/8
- Rocky Mountain Goat – 51 8/2/2010
- Cougar – 15 5/16 2013
There are certainly some big game here in the cowboy state and people have been hunting them for years. If you want to learn more about the Boone and Crockett Club and registrations, you’ll need to join their website and get a free membership.
Good luck in the field this year and I hope your next crop is a Boone and Crockett record.
Top 25 Wild Mammals That Call Wyoming Home
Wyoming is home to more than 100 species of mammals.
The 11 Best Wyoming Museums to See
How to Survive an Attack by These 7 Dangerous Wyoming Animals
We know that Wyoming is full of dangerous animals, but do you know what to do when one attacks you? Here’s a “just the facts” guide on what to do when 5 of Wyoming’s most dangerous animals attack.