ORIGINAL: BTBowhunter
Mocha, our numbers here in PA aren't dropping any differently that the rest of the country.
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Hunting License Sales Generate
Record Conservation Funding
January 31, 2007
NEWTOWN, Conn.—A new report shows 25 states performed better than the national rate in sales of hunting licenses, tags and stamps in 2005. Nationally, license sales -- the main funding mechanism for state conservation agencies -- set a new record, topping $723 million.
The 2005 figures, just released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, show total sales rose 2.8 percent from the previous year, while the number of customers slipped 1.4 percent, from 14.7 million to 14.5 million.
The total number of U.S. hunters, including both licensed and non-licensed, is estimated much higher than the 14.5 million acknowledged in the federal report. The National Sporting Goods Association calculates 20.6 million active hunters. The Outdoor Industry Association's latest estimate surpasses 26 million. And in a new survey commissioned by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and conducted by independent firm Responsive Management, 19 percent of Americans—more than 50 million people—said they've hunted in the past two years.
Depending on local laws, non-licensed hunters may include:
1. Young hunters who aren't yet required to buy a license.
2. Hunters at wingshooting and other game preserves.
3. Landowners hunting on their own property.
4. Lessees hunting on land where they reside.
5. Active duty military on leave.
6. Citizens who hunt only on free hunting days.
7. Senior citizens no longer required to buy a license.
"Every hunter is an important asset to the firearm and hunting industry, but the number of license buyers is also significant because that's who contributes the most to habitat restoration, wildlife management and other conservation programs. Special excise taxes on guns and ammunition rose to more than $224 million for conservation in 2005, but license sales more than tripled that amount," said Doug Painter, president of NSSF.