NSSF survey results show that participation in hunting and fishing increased by 8 percent in 2016. Online booking and funding options are boosting consumer confidence in this industry. And Millenials are flocking to the outdoors. That’s good news for businesses that cater to this growing demographic. But what should you keep in mind when booking a hunting and fishing tour? Learn more through fishing tours steamboat springs co as well.
NSSF survey: hunter participation increased by 8 percent in 2016
According to the NSSF survey, hunter participation increased by eight percent in 2016. The number of respondents has also increased, with more men participating in the sport than women. While women were the most enthusiastic about hunting, a third of men and one-third of non-hunters surveyed reported no hunting interest. However, most of those not involved in the sport ate game meat once a year, once a month, or even once a week. Moreover, more than half of non-hunting respondents did not know whether any of their friends hunted.
The NSSF survey also showed that fishing activity increased, notably in the Great Lakes area. While the number of participants increased by eight percent, hunting participation decreased by two million. While the total number of hunters is still high at 11.5 million, the number of dollars spent by hunters decreased by nearly 30 percent. According to the survey, spending on related items, such as licenses and supplies, increased by 27 percent.
Guides must have experience.
Before deciding to take up the job of a hunting guide, you should have some experience guiding fishing or hunting trips. You must take training classes in your state to earn the certification. You must pass a written exam that covers topics such as hunting laws and safety precautions. The exam will also cover fishing regulations, bag limits, fishing equipment, and aquatic vegetation and habitat. Hunting guides are required by state law to be licensed, and the State requires the certification of Colorado.
In addition to education, guide candidates should have some experience in hunting and fishing tours. Hunting guides need to have a lot of knowledge about the area in which they work, so they must become experts. They should also be experienced in big game hunting and know how to play to their strengths. However, it is not necessary to have a college degree to become a hunting or fishing guide.
Millennials are coming to hunt.
Millennials are becoming increasingly interested in hunting and fishing, for those who haven’t noticed. While the traditional pastimes may have long been a staple of the baby-boom generation, the trend has recently begun to shift. Many millennials are more interested in eating organic, free-range meat than in the sport itself. According to Mateen Hessami, wildlife biology senior at the University of Montana, the locavore movement is also a huge motivator. Hessami is helping to launch a hunter mentoring program for university students that pairs novices with experienced hunters.
The number of millennial hunters is increasing, despite the declining popularity of hunting among the older generation. According to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, sales of crossbows rose 80 percent from 2006 to 2012. Moreover, Daryl Dixon from AMC’s “The Walking Dead” became a household name. In short, the hunting and fishing industry would do well to collaborate with the video game and movie industries to increase the number of young people interested in the sport.
NSSF recommends targeting marketing to Millenials
To attract Millennials, companies should create marketing campaigns that appeal to them. Millennials tend to be more adventurous than other generations and value freedom and choice. While older generations appreciate linear instructions, Millennials want to make their own decisions. They also like to feel that they own their experiences, which makes marketing to Millennials crucial to the success of hunting and fishing companies.