Cheapest Deer Licenses
States ranked by non-resident deer tag cost for 2026.
Cheapest Deer Hunting Licenses
Compare non-resident deer license costs across all 50 states. Prices range from $5 to $536.
Cheapest
$5
Florida
Average
$241
32 states
Most Expensive
$536
Iowa
Top 10 Cheapest Non-Resident Deer Licenses
Best value for out-of-state hunters
$5
Resident: $5
$7
Resident: $7
$10
Resident: $10
$26.90
Resident: $6.90
$38
Resident: $19
$45
Resident: $10
$102
Resident: $28
$150
Resident: $24
$150
Resident: $14
$150
Resident: $24
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Top 10 Most Expensive Non-Resident Deer Licenses
Premium trophy whitetail destinations
$536
Resident: $31
$507.25
Resident: $103.15
$503.50
Resident: $35.50
$442.50
Resident: $42.50
$411
Resident: $46
$376.50
Resident: $23.25
$370
Resident: $35
$346
Resident: $43
$330.70
Resident: $33.47
$311
Resident: $45
Complete State Rankings
All 32 states by non-resident deer license cost
| Rank | State | License Type | Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida FL | Deer Permit | $5 | $5 |
| 2 | Rhode Island RI | Deer Tag | $7 | $7 |
| 3 | New York NY | Deer Management | $10 | $10 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania PA | Antlered Deer | $6.90 | $26.90 |
| 5 | Connecticut CT | Deer Permit | $19 | $38 |
| 6 | Maryland MD | Deer Stamp | $10 | $45 |
| 7 | Vermont VT | Deer License | $28 | $102 |
| 8 | Indiana IN | Deer Bundle | $24 | $150 |
| 9 | Louisiana LA | Resident Big Game | $14 | $150 |
| 10 | Ohio OH | Deer Permit | $24 | $150 |
| 11 | New Jersey NJ | Deer Permit | $28 | $160 |
| 12 | Wisconsin WI | Resident Gun Deer | $24 | $160 |
| 13 | Minnesota MN | Deer License | $35 | $180 |
| 14 | Kentucky KY | Deer Permit | $40 | $200 |
| 15 | Michigan MI | Deer License | $20 | $200 |
| 16 | Missouri MO | Firearms Deer | $17 | $225 |
| 17 | Nebraska NE | Deer Permit | $34 | $267 |
| 18 | North Dakota ND | Deer Gun | $30 | $297 |
| 19 | Utah UT | Deer Permit | $40 | $298 |
| 20 | Arizona AZ | Deer Tag | $30 | $300 |
| 21 | Illinois IL | Deer Permit | $25 | $300 |
| 22 | Nevada NV | Mule Deer Tag | $30 | $300 |
| 23 | South Dakota SD | Deer License | $45 | $311 |
| 24 | California CA | Deer Tag | $33.47 | $330.70 |
| 25 | Wyoming WY | Resident Deer | $43 | $346 |
| 26 | New Mexico NM | Deer Tag | $35 | $370 |
| 27 | Idaho ID | Deer Tag | $23.25 | $376.50 |
| 28 | Colorado CO | Deer Tag | $46 | $411 |
| 29 | Kansas KS | Deer Permit | $42.50 | $442.50 |
| 30 | Oregon OR | Deer Tag | $35.50 | $503.50 |
| 31 | Washington WA | Big Game | $103.15 | $507.25 |
| 32 | Iowa IA | Deer Tag (Any-Sex) | $31 | $536 |
Deer License Cost FAQ
Common questions about deer hunting license costs
Which state has the cheapest non-resident deer license?
Florida offers the most affordable non-resident deer license at $5. However, license cost is just one factor - also consider tag availability, season length, deer density, and public land access when planning your hunt.
Why do non-resident deer licenses vary so much in price?
State wildlife agencies set prices based on demand, wildlife management goals, hunting pressure, and the quality of hunting opportunities. Trophy whitetail states like Kansas and Iowa charge premium prices because of their exceptional genetics and high success rates.
Do these prices include all required fees?
The listed prices are for the deer license/tag only. Most states require a base hunting license ($50-200 for non-residents), and some require habitat stamps or conservation fees. Always check the total cost on our state-specific pages.
Are cheap licenses worth it if the hunting is poor?
Not necessarily. A $100 tag in a state with low deer density and limited public land might be worse value than a $300 tag where you have 90% success rates on quality bucks. Consider success rates, average antler size, and hunting pressure alongside license cost.
What about draw states - are they included here?
We include states where OTC (over-the-counter) deer tags are available. Some states like Nevada and Arizona are draw-only for certain units but offer OTC options in others. States marked "Draw" require applying through a lottery system.
Which states offer the best value for non-resident deer hunters?
States like West Virginia, Kentucky, and South Dakota offer a good balance of affordable licenses, quality deer hunting, and available public land. Western states like Montana and Wyoming have higher tag prices but offer uncrowded hunting on vast public lands.
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