Species Database
Comprehensive information on game animals across North America
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
The most hunted big game animal in North America. Medium-sized deer with white tail underside. Males grow antlers in fall.
Habitat
Deciduous and mixed forests, agricultural areas, scrublands, and suburban edges
Recommended Calibers
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
Large ears and forked antlers distinguish mule deer from whitetails. Found in western habitats. Excellent eyesight and hearing.
Habitat
Mountain forests, canyons, sagebrush, and high desert plateaus
Recommended Calibers
Elk
Cervus canadensis
North America's second-largest land animal. Bugle calls during rut are iconic. Requires skilled hunting and excellent fitness.
Habitat
Mountain forests, aspen groves, high elevation meadows, and wilderness areas
Recommended Calibers
Black Bear
Ursus americanus
Medium-sized bear found across North America. Can be aggressive if surprised or protecting cubs. Excellent sense of smell.
Habitat
Forests, mountains, swamps, and areas with abundant food sources like berries and nuts
Recommended Calibers
Mountain Lion (Cougar)
Puma concolor
Large solitary cat found in western regions. Hunting with hounds is most common method. Very dangerous to approach.
Habitat
Mountains, forests, canyons, and remote wilderness with deer populations
Recommended Calibers
Moose
Alces alces
Largest deer species in world. Requires strength and determination to hunt. Most dangerous of North American deer.
Habitat
Boreal forests, muskegs, willow swamps, and areas with aquatic vegetation
Recommended Calibers
Antelope (Pronghorn)
Antilocapra americana
Fastest land animal in North America. Open country with excellent vision. Iconic western hunt.
Habitat
Open prairies, high plains, sagebrush areas, and semi-desert regions
Recommended Calibers
Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
Large gamebird with iridescent plumage. Spring gobbler hunting with calls is popular. Fall hunting available in many states.
Habitat
Mixed hardwood forests, oak woodlands, agricultural areas with roosting trees
Recommended Calibers
Bighorn Sheep
Ovis canadensis
Prized trophy with massive curled horns. High alpine hunts in challenging terrain. Limited tags available.
Habitat
Rocky mountains, high alpine meadows, steep cliffs, and ridges
Recommended Calibers
Rocky Mountain Goat
Oreamnos americanus
White shaggy coat and short curved horns. Hunted in extreme high alpine terrain. Dangerous animals when cornered.
Habitat
Extremely steep rocky peaks, alpine meadows, and precipitous terrain above treeline
Recommended Calibers
Bison
Bison bison
Largest land mammal in North America. Limited hunting opportunities mostly on private ranches. Very dangerous and powerful.
Habitat
Native prairie grasslands, though now found mainly on ranches and reserves
Recommended Calibers
Feral Hog
Sus scrofa
Destructive non-native species. No seasons or bag limits in most areas. Popular for year-round hunting and meat.
Habitat
Forests, swamps, agricultural areas, and scrublands throughout southern and western states
Recommended Calibers
Javelina
Dicotyles tajacu
Small pig-like animal with peccary features. Desert southwest icon. Quick and aggressive if threatened.
Habitat
Desert, scrubland, thorny brush, and canyon areas of southwestern United States
Recommended Calibers
Beaver
Castor canadensis
Largest rodent in North America. Hunted for fur and to control damage. Nocturnal and aquatic.
Habitat
Rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and wetland areas with aspen and willow trees
Recommended Calibers
Muskrat
Ondatra zibethicus
Medium-sized rodent found in wetlands. Abundant fur bearer. Popular with trappers.
Habitat
Marshes, swamps, lakes, ponds, and wetland areas with cattails and aquatic vegetation
Recommended Calibers
Mink
Neovison vison
Small carnivore of wetlands. Valuable fur. Elusive and nocturnal hunter.
Habitat
Rivers, streams, marshes, lake edges, and wetland areas near water
Recommended Calibers
Weasel (Long-tailed Weasel)
Mustela frenata
Small carnivore. Hunted for fur and as predator control. Very active and aggressive.
Habitat
Forests, grasslands, agricultural areas, and anywhere with suitable small animal prey
Recommended Calibers
Ermine (Short-tailed Weasel)
Mustela erminea
Small weasel that turns white in winter (stoat). Found in northern regions. Hunted for fur.
Habitat
Coniferous and mixed forests, grasslands, and tundra in northern regions
Recommended Calibers
Nutria
Myocastor coypus
Large rodent similar to muskrat. Non-native invasive species. No bag limits in most areas.
Habitat
Marshes, swamps, rivers, and freshwater wetland areas
Recommended Calibers
Fox Squirrel (Furbearer)
Sciurus niger
Largest tree squirrel - also hunted as small game and furbearer in some states.
Habitat
Open pine forests, hardwood edges, isolated trees, and parks
Recommended Calibers
Skunk
Mephitis mephitis
Nocturnal omnivore. Hunted for fur and as nuisance animal. Smell glands valuable for repellent.
Habitat
Forests, grasslands, agricultural areas, and suburban areas with denning sites
Recommended Calibers
Opossum (Furbearer)
Didelphis virginiana
Nocturnal marsupial also valued as furbearer in some states. Abundant and easy to hunt.
Habitat
Forests, swamps, suburban areas, and anywhere with cover and food sources
Recommended Calibers
Raccoon (Furbearer)
Procyon lotor
When hunted primarily for fur rather than meat. Nocturnal predator. Valuable pelt.
Habitat
Forests, wetlands, agricultural areas, and anywhere with water and cover
Recommended Calibers
Coyote
Canis latrans
Highly adaptable canine predator found across North America. No closed season in most areas. Valuable fur.
Habitat
Open and semi-open areas including grasslands, deserts, agricultural land, and suburban areas
Recommended Calibers
Red Fox
Vulpes vulpes
Intelligent canine predator. Beautiful russet coat. More wary than coyotes. Quality fur bearer.
Habitat
Mixed forests and grasslands, agricultural areas, edges, and semi-open terrain
Recommended Calibers
Gray Fox
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Smaller canine with salt-and-pepper coloring. Only canine that climbs trees. Southern distribution.
Habitat
Deciduous and mixed forests, brushy areas, chaparral, and semi-open woodlands
Recommended Calibers
Bobcat
Lynx rufus
Wild cat with tufted ears. Solitary and nocturnal. Excellent fur. Increasingly hunted across range.
Habitat
Mixed forests, brushy areas, scrublands, deserts, and broken terrain with adequate cover
Recommended Calibers
Raccoon (Predator Hunting)
Procyon lotor
When hunted as predator, night hunting with lights is typical. Also controlled for agricultural damage.
Habitat
Forests, wetlands, agricultural areas, and anywhere with water and available food
Recommended Calibers
Opossum (Predator Hunting)
Didelphis virginiana
When hunted as predator species. Nocturnal scavenger. Easy to locate and hunt at night.
Habitat
Forests, swamps, suburban areas, and areas with good denning sites and food sources
Recommended Calibers
Porcupine (Predator Hunting)
Erethizon dorsatum
When hunted as predator to protect forest resources. Sluggish and easy to approach.
Habitat
Coniferous and mixed forests, aspen groves, and areas with soft-barked trees
Recommended Calibers
Wolverine
Gulo gulo
Rarely hunted large predator. Extremely dangerous and powerful. Limited hunting opportunity.
Habitat
Boreal forests, remote wilderness, tundra, and areas far from human settlement
Recommended Calibers
Badger
Taxidea taxus
Powerful predator found in western habitats. Nocturnal digger. Hunted for fur and predator control.
Habitat
Grasslands, prairies, semi-deserts, open forests, and areas with suitable denning sites
Recommended Calibers
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit
Sylvilagus floridanus
Most abundant rabbit in North America. Classic small game for beginners and kids. Quick and abundant.
Habitat
Brushy areas, fields, hedgerows, thickets, and areas with good cover
Recommended Calibers
Snowshoe Hare
Lepus americanus
Large rabbit with big hind feet adapted for snow. Turns white in winter. Popular in northern regions.
Habitat
Coniferous and mixed forests with dense brush, young growth, and spruce thickets
Recommended Calibers
Black Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
Fox squirrel variant found in hardwood forests. Larger than grey squirrels. Excellent eating and hunting.
Habitat
Mature hardwood forests, oak groves, and mature shade trees in parks
Recommended Calibers
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
Common squirrel in eastern deciduous forests. Popular small game. Good eating if prepared fresh.
Habitat
Hardwood and mixed forests, parks, and areas with oak and hickory trees
Recommended Calibers
Groundhog (Woodchuck)
Marmota monax
Largest ground squirrel. Agricultural pest. Good shooting practice at distance. Tough to take down.
Habitat
Fields, meadows, hillsides, and areas with good digging soil and vegetation
Recommended Calibers
Porcupine
Erethizon dorsatum
Slow-moving rodent covered in sharp quills. Legal game in many northern states. Better eating than reputation suggests.
Habitat
Coniferous and mixed forests, aspen groves, and areas with bark-bearing trees
Recommended Calibers
Prairie Dog
Cynomys ludovicianus
Small colonial rodent found on western plains. Shooting them helps ranchers. Excellent marksmanship practice.
Habitat
Prairie grasslands, prairie dog towns, and semi-arid shortgrass plains
Recommended Calibers
Fox Squirrel
Sciurus niger
Largest tree squirrel in North America. Found in southern hardwood forests. Excellent eating.
Habitat
Open pine and hardwood forests, isolated trees, and parks in southern regions
Recommended Calibers
Raccoon
Procyon lotor
Night-hunting predator with distinctive mask. Hunted with hounds at night. Popular fur bearer.
Habitat
Forests, swamps, agricultural areas, and anywhere with water sources
Recommended Calibers
Opossum
Didelphis virginiana
North America's only marsupial. Nocturnal scavenger. Often hunted with hounds. Good eating.
Habitat
Forests, swamps, suburban areas, and anywhere with cover and garbage sources
Recommended Calibers
Ring-necked Pheasant
Phasianus colchicus
Popular upland bird with iridescent plumage. Males are larger and more colorful. Explosive flight.
Habitat
Grasslands, grain fields, hedgerows, brush, and agricultural areas with cover
Recommended Calibers
Ruffed Grouse
Bonasa umbellus
Woodland game bird with distinctive ruff. Sudden explosive flight. Challenge for new hunters.
Habitat
Deciduous and mixed forests, especially areas with aspen, birch, and young growth
Recommended Calibers
Spruce Grouse
Falcipennis canadensis
Dark forest grouse found in coniferous forests. Less wary than ruffed grouse. Northern species.
Habitat
Coniferous forests, spruce-fir forests, and boreal forest types
Recommended Calibers
Prairie Chicken
Tympanuchus cupido
Large grouse of grasslands. Booming calls in spring. Hunted for meat and sport.
Habitat
Tallgrass prairies, grasslands, and prairie restoration areas
Recommended Calibers
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Tympanuchus phasianellus
Prairie grouse with spotted breast. Fast fliers. Similar habitat to prairie chickens. Good eating.
Habitat
Grasslands, prairies, sagebrush, and mixed grassland-shrub habitat
Recommended Calibers
Bobwhite Quail
Colinus virginianus
Small upland game bird with distinctive whistle. Popular in Southeast. Works well with pointing dogs.
Habitat
Brushy fields, pine plantations, grasslands, and areas with low brush
Recommended Calibers
Chukar Partridge
Alectoris chukar
Asian upland game bird introduced to western mountain regions. Challenging to hunt in rough terrain.
Habitat
Rocky mountain slopes, sagebrush hillsides, and arid canyon lands
Recommended Calibers
Hungarian Partridge
Perdix perdix
Grassland partridge introduced to North America. Fast fliers. Found in open prairie habitat.
Habitat
Grasslands, grain fields, prairie grasslands, and open shrub steppe
Recommended Calibers
Sage Grouse
Centrocercus urophasianus
Large western grouse found in sagebrush. Special seasons and regulations. Limited hunting opportunity.
Habitat
Sagebrush plains and semi-arid plateau sagebrush country
Recommended Calibers
Woodcock
Scolopax minor
Small migratory game bird with long bill. Found in moist woodlands. Spring and fall migrations.
Habitat
Wet deciduous forests, alder swamps, birch forests, and brushy wetland areas
Recommended Calibers
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
Most common dabbling duck. Males have distinctive green heads. Found across North America during migration.
Habitat
Marshes, ponds, lakes, rivers, and wetland areas with shallow water
Recommended Calibers
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
Beautiful dabbling duck with intricate plumage. Nests in tree cavities. Prized for eating.
Habitat
Wooded wetlands, swamps, small ponds, and creeks with overhanging trees
Recommended Calibers
American Black Duck
Anas rubripes
Dark dabbling duck similar to female mallards. Wary and fast fliers. Eastern duck species.
Habitat
Marshes, coastal areas, river systems, and shallow water with vegetation
Recommended Calibers
Canvasback
Aythya valisineria
Large diving duck with distinctive profile. Males are white-bodied with chestnut heads. Premium eating.
Habitat
Large lakes, river systems, coastal bays, and deep water areas
Recommended Calibers
Redhead
Aythya americana
Diving duck with distinctive red head on males. Rapid fliers. Good eating when properly prepared.
Habitat
Lakes, ponds, marshes, and shallow diving duck habitat
Recommended Calibers
Lesser Scaup
Aythya affinis
Small diving duck - abundant waterfowl. Travel in flocks. Good shooting practice.
Habitat
Lakes, ponds, marshes, and shallow diving duck habitat throughout migration routes
Recommended Calibers
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
Large waterfowl with black head and neck and white chinstrap. Iconic species. Challenging to hunt.
Habitat
Lakes, rivers, marshes, coastal areas, and agricultural fields with water nearby
Recommended Calibers
Snow Goose
Chen caerulescens
White and blue phase geese. Fast fliers in large flocks. Found during migration and winter.
Habitat
Agricultural fields, marshes, coastal areas, and large open water bodies
Recommended Calibers
Pintail
Anas acuta
Dabbling duck with slender neck and pointed tail. Fast and graceful fliers. Males are striking white and brown.
Habitat
Marshes, prairie ponds, lakes, and shallow water habitats
Recommended Calibers
Teal (Blue-winged)
Anas discors
Smallest dabbling duck. Very fast fliers. Limited season in early fall. Males have white face patch.
Habitat
Marshes, ponds, and shallow wetland areas