Animals hunted in North America can be divided into several categories: big game, small game, predators, waterfowl, fur-bearing animals, and waterfowl. Each state in the U.S regulates its own hunting laws, but there are a few over-arching public bodies and their attendant legislation which govern all states. One such piece of legislation is the United States environmental law, which was introduced to protect endangered bird species and migratory birds. Similarly, hunters who wish to hunt protected species must have completed a hunting safety course and have the correct license paperwork.

Big game hunting involves the pursuit of large animals. In addition to a hunting license, tags are also required by the law for big game hunting. In the United States big game animals include the following: mule and white-tailed deer, moose, elk, reindeer, bears, wild boar, big-horn sheep, javelina, deer, and American bison. Typical North American small game animals include hares, rabbits, raccoons, squirrel, and opossum. Hunted fur-bearing animals include those animals that are usually hunted more for their pelts and skin than their meat. These include foxes, beavers, minks, bobcats, musk rats and pine martins. Hunted predators include coyotes and mountain lion panthers (or cougars). Birds that are hunted include grouse, pheasant, quail, dove, turkey, mallards, and geese.

Varmint, or Vermin, hunting is also a tradition in North America. Creatures classed as varmint are killed because they are considered pests and therefore their populations must be kept to manageable numbers. Uncontrolled varmint or pest numbers often result in damage to crops, livestock and the landscape. Animals that often fall within the classification of varmint are wild rabbits and squirrels because they are found in such numbers across the U.S. However, varmint and varmint control very much depends on the wildlife make-up of the particular state or area. States have commonly found that along with previously mentioned varmint types, animals such as coyotes, foxes, crows and wild cats cause pest problems and that their numbers must be controlled by varmint hunting.

The United States also promotes the code of practice known as the "Fair Chase." It was initiated by the Boone and Crockett Club members at the end of the 19th century and governs how huntsmen conduct their hunting expeditions. It was considered a fairer and more ethical way of pursuing native North American big game animals which stipulates that the hunter should not have an unfair advantage in the chase.