A new study by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) indicates that the pool of American hunters is greater than it was recently thought to be.
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.
These are some interesting facts that should carry a considerable significance in the decision making of local municipalities and state and local wildlife agencies. Download a free PDF summary of the NSSF report, A Portrait of Hunters and Hunting License Trends: National Report.
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