ORIGINAL: eagle chickie
those figures are skewed like the rest the PGC publishes.... the decline was when comparing to last year's numbers...What the PGC failed to mention was last year's numbers were a decline of the previous year's and that a decline over the year before...is there anyone anywhere that thinks hunter numbers are actually going up???? The PGC themselves have published many reports in the Game News as to the over all decline in hunter numbers as the "hunting generation" ages and youth recruitment is not making the difference up.
Actually, Hunting numbers did show an increase overall Nationally from 2004 to 2005. Primary source of this increase, believe it or not, was more women buying licenses. This information comes from USF&W and NSSF. I don't have the actual report at my finger tips, but I recall this topic being discussed during one of our Federation Meetings late Spring 2006.
Now, certainly, this is a National picture. Individual Stateshave varying trends. PA is on the decline. ALthough the decline that is overall is low, what is more cocerning, as I recall, was the ratio of new hunters, especially Jr Hunters entering, with older hunters leaving. The replacement rate for every hunter leaving was 3:2. Meaning, for every three hunters that leave the sport in PA, 2 are entering. The greatest weakness was identified in theyouth age group, and was the primary incentive to push for the Families Afield Act.