Some of the country’s most iconic wildlife are also the most targeted—and not for selfies or documentaries.
Every fall, millions of Americans gear up, grab a license, and head into the woods like it’s a national ritual. Hunting isn’t just about sport anymore—it’s a billion-dollar industry tangled up in tradition, wildlife management, and sometimes, straight-up bragging rights. But behind all the camo and camcorder footage are 15 animals that keep landing in the crosshairs. Some you expect. Others might surprise you by how often they’re tracked, tagged, or taken down.
1. Feral hogs are hunted so aggressively, they barely qualify as wildlife anymore.
As discovered by the USDA, feral hogs cause over $1.5 billion in damage each year across the U.S., which is why states like Texas have essentially declared open season with no bag limits. These animals breed fast, eat everything, and wreck crops, property, and native ecosystems like it’s their job. Hunters go after them with rifles, helicopters, and even night vision because the goal isn’t population control—it’s full-on damage mitigation. They’re not just common targets. They’re hunted like an invasive apocalypse.
2. Mourning doves rack up more kills per year than almost any other game bird.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, around 9 to 10 million mourning doves are harvested annually. It’s wild when you think about it, considering they’re small, quiet, and don’t exactly scream “sport.” But they’re one of the most widespread and heavily hunted game birds in North America. With generous bag limits and long seasons in most states, they’ve become a major target for bird hunters. They reproduce fast and migrate far, which keeps their numbers steady, but they’re still taking major hits every year.
3. Snow geese are so overpopulated, hunting them is basically an ecological favor.
As stated by the Audubon Society, snow geese populations have exploded to the point where they’re damaging the Arctic tundra during nesting season. Wildlife managers have responded by extending hunting seasons and removing limits in many regions. The idea is to curb their numbers before they wreck the ecosystem for themselves and every other species nearby. Hunters use decoys, calls, and massive field setups to target them in flocks. This isn’t trophy hunting. It’s population triage dressed in camouflage.
4. White-tailed deer still top the charts for sheer hunter obsession.
Every fall, millions of Americans mark the calendar for deer season like it’s a national holiday. From the Midwest to the Southeast, white-tailed deer are the top draw. Their massive populations, long seasons, and cultural value make them the go-to target for both bow and rifle hunters. Some are after meat. Some want the antlers. Some just like the tradition. States like Pennsylvania and Michigan build entire economies around deer season. And the deer have learned to get very good at vanishing right before legal light.
5. Eastern wild turkeys don’t go down easy, and that’s exactly the appeal.
Turkeys are frustrating to hunt, which is part of their charm. They have excellent vision, unpredictable behavior, and can hear a whisper from across a clearing. Hunters chase them using calls, decoys, and elaborate setups, and still get outsmarted more often than not. That difficulty turns turkey season into a challenge event. And since wild populations have rebounded in many states, they’ve become a major springtime focus. If you’ve ever been ghosted by a gobbler, you know exactly why they’re hunted but rarely underestimated.
6. Elk attract serious hunters who want the full mountain saga.
Elk are not for casual energy. Hunting them usually means hiking in rugged, high-altitude terrain with long-range rifles or bows, freezing mornings, and real physical exhaustion. But the reward is massive. Elk meat can stock a freezer for a year, and a mature bull’s antlers are basically wilderness trophies. States like Colorado and Montana see heavy competition for elk tags, especially for public land draws. Success rates are low. The obsession, however, runs high and deep.
7. Coyotes get hunted more than most people realize and not just for fun.
These wild canines are seen as both pests and predators in many states, which means they’re hunted year-round with almost no restrictions in some places. Ranchers blame them for livestock loss, suburbanites panic over missing pets, and wildlife agencies sometimes see them as competition for game species. Coyotes are smart, fast, and constantly adapting. That adaptability makes them a thrilling challenge but also fuels more intense hunting pressure. Night scopes and predator calls are standard tools. And yet, they’re still everywhere.
8. Black bears make the list thanks to rising populations and careful regulation.
Hunting black bears isn’t a free-for-all—it’s usually tightly regulated with limited tags and specific seasons. But in places like Maine, North Carolina, and Alaska, bear hunting is a serious tradition. Some hunters go after them with hounds, others bait them legally, and many use tree stands and spot-and-stalk techniques. The meat is used, the hides are tanned, and the skulls are often kept as trophies. Conservation agencies manage the hunts to avoid overharvest, but with populations growing, bear season is only getting more attention.
9. Pronghorn hunts are short, sharp, and competitive.
With a limited range mostly confined to the western U.S., pronghorn antelope aren’t as universally hunted as deer, but they are high on the wish list. Their incredible eyesight and speed make them hard to stalk, so most hunts take place with long glassing sessions and precise shots over wide-open country. Tags are hard to draw in many states, especially for nonresidents, but the hunters who get lucky treat it like a big deal. The hunt is quick. The prep is not.
10. Ruffed grouse are small birds with big fanbases in the northern woods.
They live in thick cover, burst into flight like tiny feathered grenades, and offer exactly zero warning. Ruffed grouse hunting is fast, unpredictable, and addictive. Bird dogs work hard for them, and even seasoned hunters miss more shots than they land. Grouse numbers rise and fall based on habitat cycles, but in states like Minnesota and Michigan, they’re iconic. Hunters swear by the thrill and the frustration. Plus, they’re genuinely delicious and way more rewarding than store-bought chicken.
11. Alligators are hunted with strategy, permits, and serious gear.
Alligator hunting is only legal in specific states like Louisiana, Florida, and Georgia, and it usually requires a tag lottery, a boat, and the kind of courage that doesn’t flinch at thrashing jaws. These hunts are often done at night, using hooks or harpoons followed by a bang stick to the skull. It’s not easy or fast. But alligator meat and leather are valuable, and keeping populations in check has become part of local wildlife management. It’s part survival, part sport, part adrenaline event.
12. Ducks bring out the early risers and camo maximalists.
Mallards, teal, and wood ducks are some of the most targeted species across the U.S., with entire marshes and flooded timber zones set up for maximum bird traffic. Duck hunting starts before dawn, uses everything from decoys to trained retrievers, and usually ends in a pile of wet gear and either joy or cursing. Mississippi Flyway states see massive migration traffic, and many hunters plan their entire fall around duck opener. They don’t just hunt. They go all in.
13. Jackrabbits aren’t glamorous, but they’re hunted hard in open range states.
In the western deserts and plains, jackrabbits are fair game for both sport and population control. They damage crops, multiply fast, and offer a moving target that’s both frustrating and fun. Hunters use rifles or shotguns, sometimes spotlighting them at night in legal areas. They’re not eaten much anymore, but they’re still pursued for skill sharpening and pest control. Think of it as the range shooter’s live practice with ears and serious zigzag skills.
14. Mountain lions are elusive, regulated, and always controversial.
Legal in several western states, mountain lion hunting often involves tracking with hounds and takes place in rugged, remote areas. The ethics are debated constantly, especially when photos of the hunts go viral. But in terms of pure difficulty, few animals are harder to locate. Hunters need tags, tracking knowledge, and access to wild country. The reasons vary—livestock defense, sport, population balance—but the method is intense. They’re not common. But they’re definitely hunted.
15. Squirrels are still the underrated gateway animal for new hunters.
For beginners, nothing beats squirrel hunting. It’s low pressure, requires minimal gear, and still teaches all the basics—patience, accuracy, stealth. Gray and fox squirrels are legal game in almost every state and have surprisingly dedicated fanbases. They’re also delicious if cooked right, which adds to their quiet popularity. Old timers will tell you they learned everything in the squirrel woods. And plenty of modern hunters still go back, even after bigger game, just for the nostalgia.