Surprising Increase in Hunting Licenses
February 1st, 2010
In a year when one word, “fewer,” described life in America — fewer jobs, fewer home sales, fewer purchases — hunters were responsible for generating a welcome “more” category, as hunting license sales rose by 3.5 percent in 2009 in states that make up NSSF’s Hunting License Sales Index.
The 12-state index comprises several states from four main regions of the United States. Nine of those states recorded hunting license sales increases from January through December of 2009 over the previous year, according to Southwick Associates, a research firm that monitored the license sales information.
States in the index include Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. Astute readers will note that this is only 11 states, not 12. The release listed Tennessee twice.
I’m not sure what the 12th state is. Maybe Michigan in the midwest area? I’ve sent an email to the NSSF and will let you know if they get back with me.
If this increase among the index states carries over to the nation at large, it’s pretty big news. Hunting has been considered a stagnant part of the shooting sports (growth-wise) for several years and this increase would be a welcome change.
UPDATE: The NSSF responded this morning. The 12th state is Kansas.
