Estimated Hunters today?
- Thread starter nathan
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There is a down turn in the number of hunters world wide. I read an article in a hunting mag. It said the reduced numbers was caused by the cost, young peoples different interests ie: computers and the urbanisation of the population.
308win
Member
Definitely a decline in numbers here in Ohio (all numbers in 000) -resident hunting 2006 was 308 adult and 55.7 youth; resident hunting 2000 was 343 adult 32.5 youth. I believe the decline is due to a lot of factors ranging from political correctness to time to access. The bright spot is an increase in youth. I don't think cost is that much of a factor; a $19 dollar license and a $25 tag gets you a deer and for another $15 per tag you can take additional antlerless up to an additional five or six in some areas. If you don't have to pay for access you could take a deer for $60 or so including gas and ammunition and if you process it yourself the cost per pound is cheaper than anything you can buy in the store.
Kimber1911_06238
Member
as others have said, definite decline. urbanization, cost, access to land, etc. have all caused numbers to go down
MudPuppy
Member
Access to land and "fun ranges" (I don't consider an indoor range all that pleasurable an experience). I mentioned on another board about thoughts of folks with land sharing access with folks that didn't--specifying friends and good people, not just hoodlums off the street. You'd thought I'd suggested passing their mom around at a biker rally...
I can't spend thousands on a lease, but I do have family and such with places if I don't mind a long drive--but I choose to live in the city.
I can't spend thousands on a lease, but I do have family and such with places if I don't mind a long drive--but I choose to live in the city.
skinewmexico
Member
Here in Texas, people worship at the house of youth sports now. Add to that the fact that the vast majority of the land is private, and ranchers want $5-10 an acre for a lease. It's not worth the $1500-2500 a year to me for a lease.
Wildfire
Member
Another fact.
Hey there:
There remains one other issue. Good hunting land. Also, When hunters go for years and never get a chance at a decent deer, they get discouraged. Many have stopped hunting over this.
The hunting videos out there today make it look and sound like (If you don't kill monster bucks like these) then you are doing something wrong. Fact is . Most hunters can not afford to pay what those monster killers paid. To shoot a deer. They got tired of trespassers and just plain gave up.
To some this may sound trivial. But too many it is a real problem. In highly populated states these can be big issues. Many lakes have been developed and duck hunters can not hunt there any more. The cost can be an issue too.
I see more and more hunters leaning toward the cheaper guns now. $$$$ do have an impact. So factor in More cost, less time off of work, trespassing, less quality game, and you will end up with guys that just give up.
Many can not take the time off to hunt now days just because of the high cost of living. I am sure there are many other reasons too.
Hey there:
There remains one other issue. Good hunting land. Also, When hunters go for years and never get a chance at a decent deer, they get discouraged. Many have stopped hunting over this.
The hunting videos out there today make it look and sound like (If you don't kill monster bucks like these) then you are doing something wrong. Fact is . Most hunters can not afford to pay what those monster killers paid. To shoot a deer. They got tired of trespassers and just plain gave up.
To some this may sound trivial. But too many it is a real problem. In highly populated states these can be big issues. Many lakes have been developed and duck hunters can not hunt there any more. The cost can be an issue too.
I see more and more hunters leaning toward the cheaper guns now. $$$$ do have an impact. So factor in More cost, less time off of work, trespassing, less quality game, and you will end up with guys that just give up.
Many can not take the time off to hunt now days just because of the high cost of living. I am sure there are many other reasons too.
HunterGirl
Member
While there is an overall decrease in hunter numbers....it's nice to see an increasing percentage of women hunters out there....
john1911
Member
The number of active hunters is decreasing.
Main reason (IMO), we're not recruiting the kids into the sport. Several reasons for this; lack of interest on the part of todays youth, too many single parent households, indoctrination by the media and public schools among others. The good news is we can reverse this trend, the bad news (to some) is that we are going to have to work at it and spend some time.
We need to get the kids interested in the outdoors at a young age. Turn the T.V., computer, Ipod, whatever off and get them outside. Not on the diamond or court or soccer field, out in the woods. Show them the animals and how they interact. Explain stuff to them and then show it. Don't just limit this to your kids, take relatives or neighbors' kids (with permission of course).
Best thing for kids (when they are mature enough) is a squirrel hunt. Lots of opportunities for a shot and not as tough a hunt as deer or other big game. Keep it fun and interesting.
If you know of a single parent household ( and in this day who doesn't) ask if you can introduce the kids to the sport. Lots of children may be interested but the parent lacks the time or interest to take them.
Spend some time watching what your kids are watching on T.V. Most programing aimed at children (or adults for that matter) portray hunting and hunters in a very negative light. Public schools tend to do the same and are very anti-gun. You need to be sure that your kids are learning your values.
People want to complain that hunting has gotten too expensive or that there's no land available. In case you haven't noticed, everything has gotten more expensive.
I'd be willing to bet that every state in the Union has some type of public land open for hunting. Visit it through the week or spend a little boot leather getting back from the crowds. Look for alternates to the hard hunted zone. Most hunters rarely get too far from a road or other access area. Hike in a half a mile or so and you probably won't see another person.
It is possible to take a very nice animal on public land, it happens every year. It takes some hard work and dedication.
Main reason (IMO), we're not recruiting the kids into the sport. Several reasons for this; lack of interest on the part of todays youth, too many single parent households, indoctrination by the media and public schools among others. The good news is we can reverse this trend, the bad news (to some) is that we are going to have to work at it and spend some time.
We need to get the kids interested in the outdoors at a young age. Turn the T.V., computer, Ipod, whatever off and get them outside. Not on the diamond or court or soccer field, out in the woods. Show them the animals and how they interact. Explain stuff to them and then show it. Don't just limit this to your kids, take relatives or neighbors' kids (with permission of course).
Best thing for kids (when they are mature enough) is a squirrel hunt. Lots of opportunities for a shot and not as tough a hunt as deer or other big game. Keep it fun and interesting.
If you know of a single parent household ( and in this day who doesn't) ask if you can introduce the kids to the sport. Lots of children may be interested but the parent lacks the time or interest to take them.
Spend some time watching what your kids are watching on T.V. Most programing aimed at children (or adults for that matter) portray hunting and hunters in a very negative light. Public schools tend to do the same and are very anti-gun. You need to be sure that your kids are learning your values.
People want to complain that hunting has gotten too expensive or that there's no land available. In case you haven't noticed, everything has gotten more expensive.
I'd be willing to bet that every state in the Union has some type of public land open for hunting. Visit it through the week or spend a little boot leather getting back from the crowds. Look for alternates to the hard hunted zone. Most hunters rarely get too far from a road or other access area. Hike in a half a mile or so and you probably won't see another person.
It is possible to take a very nice animal on public land, it happens every year. It takes some hard work and dedication.
Wildfire
Member
+1 on the Kids.
Hey there:
This will help. My 3 grandkids will all hunt and shoot. The oldest (girl) is now 4.
She has been going on squirel hunts and such for 2 years now and loves it.
I already have their guns in my safe. I made sure they would have guns from beginer to teen years.
Hey there:
This will help. My 3 grandkids will all hunt and shoot. The oldest (girl) is now 4.
She has been going on squirel hunts and such for 2 years now and loves it.
I already have their guns in my safe. I made sure they would have guns from beginer to teen years.
gunmn74
Member
I live in Kansas in the middle of huge Whitetail bucks and those TV
morons keep coming here to hunt and now all the people from out
of state keep coming here and leasing up all the hunting ground.
Next year you can buy a either sex whitetail tag over the counter
that is good for all muzzelloader, archery and rifle season. That should
whipe out all the good bucks then all tv nuts can stay away.
For the last few years you could buy an either sex archery deer tag and
3 to 5 anterless tags and even your either sex archery tag turned into
an antlerless tag you could use in rifle season. One of the places I have
hunted for 8 years had zero deer last year.
morons keep coming here to hunt and now all the people from out
of state keep coming here and leasing up all the hunting ground.
Next year you can buy a either sex whitetail tag over the counter
that is good for all muzzelloader, archery and rifle season. That should
whipe out all the good bucks then all tv nuts can stay away.
For the last few years you could buy an either sex archery deer tag and
3 to 5 anterless tags and even your either sex archery tag turned into
an antlerless tag you could use in rifle season. One of the places I have
hunted for 8 years had zero deer last year.
T.R.
Member
South Dakota is one of the states that can not provide a decent living wage for all the High School, Vo-Tech, and College grads. We send our young folks out of state to work.
At the same time, non-residents are making a bigger impact. Perhaps many of these hunters grew up in Dakota Territory. Fact is that non-residents want to hunt here and our Game Dept. is happy to sell the licenses.
The day is coming when all the best private hunting lands will be under the control of lease-holders. Public (federal) land access diminished under the Clinton Administration through widespread installation of locked gates. This will likely continue.
Hunters who are locked out will find other recreation to enjoy. Couple generations from now, hunting may become far less widespread. USA may end up like most of Europe: privatized hunting only for club members.
TR
At the same time, non-residents are making a bigger impact. Perhaps many of these hunters grew up in Dakota Territory. Fact is that non-residents want to hunt here and our Game Dept. is happy to sell the licenses.
The day is coming when all the best private hunting lands will be under the control of lease-holders. Public (federal) land access diminished under the Clinton Administration through widespread installation of locked gates. This will likely continue.
Hunters who are locked out will find other recreation to enjoy. Couple generations from now, hunting may become far less widespread. USA may end up like most of Europe: privatized hunting only for club members.
TR
john1911
Member
I think that's an overly simplistic view. I don't know of one state that doesn't have public land available for hunting (1.2 million acres in Texas http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/public/ ). Resident fees aren't that much either. Plenty of opportunities for hunting on a budget.
If your goal is a trophy animal, you're going to have to pay. Either money or time and effort. Like I said before, trophy animals are taken on public land every year. You just have to put forth the effort.
john1911
Member
I think that's an overly simplistic view. I don't know of one state that doesn't have public land available for hunting (1.2 million acres in Texas http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/public/ ). Resident fees aren't that much either. Plenty of opportunities for hunting on a budget.
If your goal is a trophy animal, you're going to have to pay. Either money or time and effort. Like I said before, trophy animals are taken on public land every year. You just have to put forth the effort.
skinewmexico
Member
I've never known anyone who hunted big game on public land in Texas twice, at least where I live. And I'm not about to drive 15 hours to the other side of the state. Maybe you should come to Texas and try it.
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