Field Guide / Game Animals
Illustrated profiles of North American game animals. Search by name or food, or filter by type, movement, and habitat.
18 species
Other Big GameOvis canadensis
A rugged mountain animal famous for the massive curled horns of its rams. Tags are rare and hunts are among the most sought-after in North America.
Typical size: Rams about 200–300 lb; ewes about 120–200 lb
Other Big GameUrsus americanus
The most common bear in North America, a mostly black, shy forest animal that is hunted in many states.
Typical size: Males about 200–600 lb; females about 100–250 lb
Predators & HogsLynx rufus
A secretive, spotted wild cat with a short tail and tufted ears, found across most of the country.
Typical size: About 15–35 lb
Predators & HogsCanis latrans
A clever, adaptable predator found across almost the entire country, hunted for sport and to protect livestock and game.
Typical size: About 20–50 lb
Small GameSylvilagus floridanus
The most common rabbit in North America and a classic first small-game animal, with a puffy white tail like a cotton ball.
Typical size: About 2–4 lb
Small GameSciurus carolinensis
A common, agile squirrel of eastern hardwood forests, with a long season and a lot of recreation value for new hunters.
Typical size: About 1–1.5 lb
Deer FamilyCervus canadensis
A large, tan deer with a dark mane and a pale rump patch, famous for its bugling during the fall rut and for its sweeping antlers.
Typical size: Bulls about 600–800 lb or more; cows about 450–550 lb; about 4.5–5 ft tall at the shoulder
Predators & HogsSus scrofa
A non-native, destructive wild pig found in much of the South and beyond. It is hunted year-round in many states to control its damage.
Typical size: About 100–300 lb, with large boars heavier
Small GameSciurus niger
The largest tree squirrel in North America, with a rusty belly and a bushy tail edged in orange.
Typical size: About 1.5–3 lb
Deer FamilyAlces alces
The largest member of the deer family, a tall, dark animal with a drooping snout and, in bulls, huge flat antlers.
Typical size: Bulls about 800–1,500 lb; cows about 600–1,000 lb; up to about 6 ft tall at the shoulder
Other Big GameOreamnos americanus
A shaggy white animal of steep cliffs and high basins, with short black horns on both sexes.
Typical size: About 100–300 lb
Predators & HogsPuma concolor
A large, solitary, tawny cat of the West, also called a cougar or puma. It is hunted in many western states and protected in others.
Typical size: Males about 115–220 lb; females about 64–141 lb
Deer FamilyOdocoileus hemionus
A big-eared deer of the West, found from sagebrush country to high mountains, and known for its bounding gait and evenly forking antlers.
Typical size: Bucks about 150–300 lb; does about 100–200 lb; about 3 ft tall at the shoulder
Other Big GameAntilocapra americana
A fast, sharp-eyed animal of the open plains, often called an antelope but not related to true antelope. It is the only animal with horns that have a forward-pointing prong.
Typical size: About 90–150 lb; about 3 ft tall at the shoulder
Small GameProcyon lotor
A masked, ring-tailed night forager found almost everywhere there is water, and hunted at night with hounds in many states.
Typical size: About 10–30 lb
Predators & HogsVulpes vulpes
A small, bright orange-red fox with black legs and a white-tipped tail, found in woods, fields, and suburbs.
Typical size: About 8–15 lb
Small GameLepus americanus
A northern forest hare with huge furry hind feet that turns white in winter.
Typical size: About 2–3.5 lb
Deer FamilyOdocoileus virginianus
The most widely hunted big-game animal in North America, a reddish-brown deer that raises a white tail like a flag when it is alarmed.
Typical size: Bucks about 150–300 lb; does about 90–200 lb; about 3 ft tall at the shoulder