Your guide to budget-friendly out-of-state hunting adventures
Hunting across state lines doesn't have to drain your wallet. We've analyzed license fees from all 50 states to identify the most affordable options for non-resident hunters. From public land access to license costs, here are the states where your dollar goes furthest.
Lowest non-resident small game license in the West
Idaho offers exceptional value with vast public lands and diverse hunting opportunities. The small game license covers upland birds, rabbits, and small game on millions of acres of national forest.
Premium western hunting at budget prices
Wyoming punches well above its weight class with some of the best public land access in the country. The non-resident small game license is a gateway to sage grouse, pheasant, and more.
Underrated upland bird hunting
Kansas flies under the radar but offers outstanding pheasant and quail hunting. The Walk-In Hunting Access (WIHA) program opens over 1 million acres of private land to public hunting.
Pheasant hunting capital of America
South Dakota is legendary for ring-necked pheasants. The state releases over 250,000 birds annually on public areas, and the Walk-In Area program provides access to private lands.
Open Range Public Access program
Nebraska's Open Fields and Waters program enrolls private land for public hunting access. Combined with affordable licenses, it's an excellent value for upland bird hunters.
World-class hunting at reasonable prices
Montana's upland bird license offers access to truly wild country. Sage grouse, sharptails, and Hungarian partridge roam millions of acres of accessible BLM and national forest lands.
Four distinct hunting regions
Utah offers surprising diversity from desert quail to mountain grouse. The small game license covers all upland species and provides access to extensive BLM and USFS lands.
5-day non-resident option for $35
Oklahoma stands out with flexible licensing options. The 5-day license at $35 is perfect for weekend trips, while the annual license covers turkey, deer (with tags), and small game.
Over-the-counter opportunities
New Mexico offers OTC hunting opportunities that other western states have eliminated. Scaled quail, dove, and rabbit hunting on public land is readily accessible.
Pacific Northwest diversity
Oregon rounds out our top 10 with excellent waterfowl and upland opportunities. The license covers chukar, quail, grouse, and provides access to BLM lands in eastern Oregon.
Different goals call for different destinations. Here are our top recommendations by category.
Best Overall Value
Cheapest base license plus 21+ million acres of public land makes Idaho unbeatable for budget-conscious non-residents.
View Idaho license detailsBest for Pheasants
The pheasant hunting capital of America with 250,000+ released birds and excellent Walk-In Areas.
View South Dakota license detailsBest for Big Game
The upland license is cheap, and Montana's OTC general tags for deer make it accessible for non-residents.
View Montana license detailsBest Short Trip Option
The $35 five-day license is perfect for weekend hunts without committing to a full season.
View Oklahoma license detailsAll the key metrics in one view. Scroll horizontally on mobile to see all columns.
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| ID Idaho | $31.75 | $301.75 | $416.75 | 21.8 | |
| WY Wyoming | $37 | $339 | $602 | 18.4 | |
| KS Kansas | $42.50 | $97.50 | N/A | 0.6 | |
| SD South Dakota | $45 | $286 | N/A | 0.8 | |
| NE Nebraska | $48 | $224 | N/A | 1.0 | |
| MT Montana | $50 | $405 | $1,077 | 30.6 | |
| UT Utah | $52 | $268 | $438 | 22.8 | |
| OK Oklahoma | $55 | $280 | N/A | 1.1 | |
| NM New Mexico | $58 | $292 | $549 | 13.4 | |
| OR Oregon | $62.50 | $345.50 | $576 | 32.7 |
In-depth breakdowns of our top recommendations with highlights and considerations.
Idaho offers the lowest non-resident small game license in the Mountain West at just $31.75, but the value extends far beyond the price tag. The state contains over 21 million acres of public land, including vast swaths of national forest, BLM land, and state wildlife management areas.
Our Verdict
Idaho is our top pick for budget-minded non-resident hunters. The combination of rock-bottom license fees and world-class public land access is unmatched.
Wyoming delivers premium western hunting experiences without premium pricing. The $37 small game license opens doors to some of America's most pristine wild country, with sage grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, and pheasant opportunities.
Our Verdict
Wyoming offers exceptional value for hunters seeking authentic western experiences. The low license cost combined with extraordinary public land make it a must-visit.
South Dakota has built its reputation as America's pheasant hunting capital, and the $45 small game license provides access to this legendary opportunity. The state releases over 250,000 pheasants annually on public hunting areas.
Our Verdict
For pheasant hunters, South Dakota justifies its reputation. The $45 license is a bargain considering the state's commitment to upland bird management.
Idaho offers the cheapest non-resident small game hunting license in the western United States at $31.75. For states east of the Mississippi, several states offer licenses under $50, though public land access is typically more limited.
Absolutely not. Some of the best hunting in America is found in states with affordable licenses. Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana all have low-cost small game licenses and offer world-class hunting on millions of acres of public land.
Yes, budget for habitat stamps (required in some states), access permits for specific areas, federal duck stamps ($28.50 for waterfowl), and processing fees. However, these additions rarely exceed $50 total.
Oregon leads our top 10 with 32.7 million acres of public land, followed by Montana at 30.6 million acres. Both offer affordable base licenses under $65.
Big game hunting as a non-resident is typically more expensive due to tag costs. However, states like Kansas ($97.50 deer) and Nebraska ($224 deer) offer relatively affordable deer tags. Most elk tags exceed $400-600 for non-residents.
All ten states in our ranking accept digital licenses through their official apps or systems. Hunter Passport can store licenses from any state for quick offline display.
Get detailed information on prices, regulations, and digital license requirements.
Use these free calculators to estimate costs, find season dates, and research requirements.
Non-resident hunting doesn't require a second mortgage. From Idaho's $31.75 small game license to South Dakota's pheasant paradise at $45, affordable opportunities exist across the country. The key is matching your target species with states that offer both reasonable licenses and accessible public land.
Ready to plan your next budget-friendly adventure? Store all your licenses in Hunter Passport and never fumble for paperwork in the field again.