After years of decline why are hunting and fishing taking off?

Thank Obama. People went out and bought guns because they thought they might not be able to get them after Obama got done. Then they wanted something to do with the guns they bought besides plinking. The whole phenomenon pushed fishing too. People have been getting in touch with their roots because of what Obama has tried to do IMO.

Probably a combination of things.
Monetary, for one. A cheap rod, a few hooks, and a license is good for a year of relaxing pastime, for less than the cost of one new Xbox game.
Hunting, I'm betting it's because so many people bought guns in the last eight years, used them to learn or to get accustomed to shooting, and have decided to use them for something. 35 is probably about the right median age that they remember when dad used to go and bring home deer.

Expenses. I started hunting more this year because costs of food went up and I already had a hunting rifle. Can fill a freezer with just a hunting license and a cheap bolt or lever action.

Being able to speak of the younger generation 18-25yr age range Most of my friends in this age group that wanted to start hunting lately is due to either being poor and needing to fill a freezer, or just wanting to experience what it feels like to kill and have skill sets to survive.

I moved to an area with plentiful fish and deers. I'm going to get back into fishing when I get my fishing pole, and I might dry my hand at deer hunting come deer season. Also thinking about squirrel and rabbit hunting when it gets cold again. I'm wanting to supplement some of my protein with game animals, because it should work out to save me money and I don't do very much anyway LOL.

So I guess for me it's my new suroundings. Not sure why it is more popular all over though.

All the reality TV shows on cable now?

Everyone want's to live off the land like a mountain man / survivor now!


But this too shall pass!
When they all find out they aren't Mountain men, or Survivors in the wild!
Or even good hunters.

And especially when they find out it really stinks when you field dress your first game or birds!

rc

Well for me personally, I can't wait to taste the flesh of the fish and game I'm going to collect.

Because the economy has improved a little since 2009? Maybe the numbers are up because some folks can once again afford to buy a license before they go hunting or fishing.

Because all of us panic buyers now have a closet full of guns that we want to use.

Lingering unemployment. This has given people (a) more free time, and (b) more of an incentive to try to reduce their food costs. Nevertheless, I think hunting/fishing are still in a long-term decline because of increasing urbanization. Anyway, we shouldn't fall into the trap of relying on hunters to preserve our gun rights.

Maybe it has, maybe it hasn't. I for one sure haven't been seeing more hunters in the woods or parked along the side of the road. Even in spite of seeing major new gun buying in the past year or so this hasn't happened. That doesn't mean it isn't increasing in other areas but I usually don't trust statistics. They are too easy to manipulate.

I didn't read the whole article, 168 pages, but did skim over the first 20 pages of so and studied the charts and graphs. It is interesting to note where the increases are. Alaska almost doubled the number of hunters. Roughly 1/2 of the states still saw a decrease, stayed the same or had very small gains. Pennsylvania, traditionally a big hunting state is down 25%. Texas, another big state for hunting is only up 10%. Georgia, where I live is way down. Michigan and Montana, are down 28% and 31%.

The biggest factor seems to be that more young hunters are getting involved. That is a good sign for our future as hunters and shooters. I sort'a think the "Duck Dynasty" TV program may well be a factor. The show is extremely popular with younger folks and it has made hunting cool.

Another factor may be the explosion of whitetail populations in many places. I didn't see this mentioned as a factor (it may be, but as said I didn't read the whole article). States like Illinois are up 78%. Southern states like Mississippi and Alabama where deer are considered pests are way up, 83% and 59%.

The question is, is this a long term trend, or a blip that will end and the downward trend continue? I hope it is a long term trend and we can keep younger hunters involved.

The true results is in the number of licenses sold by the various states DNR.
They seem to indicate ...a falling off.

The data WAS compiled from license sales. Read the link, it depends on the state. Florida is dead even. No significant gains or losses. Data on page 15 of the link.

Lots of things are cyclical in nature. Religion is one. Outdoor activities is another.

I believe it was somewhere in that time period (2006-2011) that Arizona started requiring a hunting license to put in for the big game draw. Prior to that change, you only had to buy a license if you were drawn. That could account for the giant spike in the AZ numbers.

I can't place where ........

.........I read it but one of the reasons is supposed to be healthier eating. Fish and game aren't loaded up with steroids and such for growth. At least not the wild stuff. Don't know about stocked fish or those pay to hunt places. It was only a few years ago that I read this. Maybe someone here might know the article.

herrwalther said:

Expenses. I started hunting more this year because costs of food went up and I already had a hunting rifle. Can fill a freezer with just a hunting license and a cheap bolt or lever action.

Click to expand...

I think with the high cost of everything like guns ammo scopes boots hunting clothes license it is cheaper to buy food. Guys will buy a quad build a tree house 500 dollar tree stands 1000 dollars bows with 20 dollar arrows 2000 tied up in a gun and scope, join a club etc. I do not understand where it is cheaper then spaghetti meatloaf etc. Anyway everytime I go to fish or hunt there are way to many guys doing the same thing I am disgusted with it and have stopped. Out west I guess you would not run into many people

Many states, mine included, after seeing a decline in hunter/fisher numbers and knowing how dependent our resources are on license fees, have gone to great length to recruit new participants. Hunting and fishing have also become big business.....and thus heavily promoted. This is all a good thing and promises to keep these activities available for many years to come.

ilbob said:

Lots of things are cyclical in nature. Religion is one. Outdoor activities is another.

Click to expand...

I've never really thought of religion as being cyclical. Who knew..

More hungry people? In Ohio Turkey and Whitetail still draw folks but small game has dropped way off(judging by anecdotal evidence)

Fishing sure didn't slow down in Fla. Perhaps license sales did but here you can fish free in your county of residence if you don't use a boat or a reel.

Hunting picked up due to old guys donating their time to OP's (other people's) kids so the sport wouldn't die. Including the women and girls is the other reason.

My guess is the numbers are up because of increased locations of (Cabela's, Bass Pro's, Scheels, etc.) big box sporting goods retailers.....and the increase in hunting-reality TV shows. It's certainly not due to any State Fish & Game Department.

Baby boomers are retiring, is all.