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Number Of U.S. Hunters Greater Than Expected |
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Chris Farris
TEAM SWFA - Admin swfa.com Joined: October/01/2003 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 8024 |
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Posted: October/27/2010 at 10:13 |
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Fernandina Beach, Fla. - A new study funded by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and carried out by Southwick Associates has found that the pool of American hunters is much larger than previously thought. This discovery can lead to major conservation and economic benefits. If many "casual hunters" (hunters that do not purchase a hunting license on an annual basis) can be converted into annual license buyers, a major benefit would be realized.
This report estimates that 21.8 million Americans hunted at least once over the past five years. Previous estimates have shown over 14 million youth and adults hunt each year, but not all hunters take to the field every year. Conducted in partnership with 17 state wildlife agencies, the study assessed license sales patterns and found that 78 percent of the U.S. hunters who bought a license in a given year also purchased one again the following year. By examining purchasing patterns over multiple years, it was determined that for every two hunters in the field this year, one is taking the year off. "Considering hunters' contribute over $1 billion every year to wildlife conservation via licenses and excise taxes, if half of the hunters who lapsed this year actually bought a license, conservation dollars would have increased by $97 million," reported Rob Southwick, President of Southwick Associates. "This estimate doesn't even include the extra dollars possible from increased hunters' excise taxes. Considering the limited government dollars allocated for wildlife and the tremendous impact hunters provide to rural communities, increased efforts to boost hunter numbers would make smart conservation and economic sense." The NSSF study monitored license-buying patterns over multiple years, producing results for various segments of hunters, and described the lifestyles, habits and demographics of various segments of the hunting community. "We know there are many types of hunters with a wide range of interests. This study reveals who our hunters are beyond the usual demographic descriptions. We now have a better idea of hunters' regional purchasing habits, recreational choices and overall lifestyle preferences," said Jim Curcuruto, Director of Research and Analysis for NSSF. "The results will be used to strengthen existing hunting participation programs and develop new programs designed to convert the casual hunter into an annual license buyer. Savvy industry marketing and communications professionals will use these data to enhance their advertising efforts." said Curcuruto. A summary of the study results can be downloaded for free at: http://www.nssf.org/PDF/HuntingLicTrends-NatlRpt.pdf. |
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SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
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Cool info
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tman1965
Optics Master Joined: July/20/2010 Location: South Georgia Status: Offline Points: 1456 |
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Very interesting read.
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shooter07
Optics Jedi Knight Shooting Sprout Joined: June/12/2010 Location: PA Status: Offline Points: 5120 |
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Great to see this # on the rise indeed. I would have thought it was going the opposite direction when i look around at today's youth.
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Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum
"Issac Newton invented gravity because some asshole hit him with an apple" -Chris Moltisanti |
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Chris Farris
TEAM SWFA - Admin swfa.com Joined: October/01/2003 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 8024 |
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I think it is a case of true numbers being reported.
Once upon a time a large German optics maker decided to NOT put up the capital to design and produce a rifle scope line based on the decline of hunters. I don't recall where they got their numbers from but I was surprised when I heard it. They could not justify the huge on going expense to produce scopes in house if the market was slowing dissipating. Well now (this year) they have come to market with a 100% in-house rifle scope line. That company is Leica.
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shooter07
Optics Jedi Knight Shooting Sprout Joined: June/12/2010 Location: PA Status: Offline Points: 5120 |
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I know people often look the other way with Pennsylvania due to the political map usually swinging slightly democratic due to the big cities, Pittsburgh, Philly and Harrisburg. What people might not realize is everything in between is back country, rural areas (like where i grew up). It's a large state and there are A TON of country-esque people living here.
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Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum
"Issac Newton invented gravity because some asshole hit him with an apple" -Chris Moltisanti |
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Chris Farris
TEAM SWFA - Admin swfa.com Joined: October/01/2003 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 8024 |
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PA and NY are in our top 5 states in regards to volume of business. Both get unfairly sterotyped because of the big cities.
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300S&W
Optics God Joined: January/27/2008 Location: Burlington,WV Status: Offline Points: 10592 |
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Really good news to hear that the #'s are up. The # of hunters I see around here isn't even a fraction of what they were 30yrs ago.
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"I ain't got time to bleed!"
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lucytuma
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: November/25/2007 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 5389 |
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Now if we could harness the power of that 21.8 million we'd have one strong organization.
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"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson
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