ICYMI: Industry News From
April 10–14, 2023
Hunting License Sales Drop
To Pre-Pandemic Levels
Held March 19–24 in St. Louis, the 88th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference debuted the first look at the results of the Hunting License Sales 2021–2022 report — which documented a 3.1% decline in hunting license sales in 2022.
“We continued to track hunting license sales as one indicator of participation, and our results indicate the impacts of COVID on getting people outdoors may be waning. Hunting license sales are settling back to pre-pandemic levels,” said Swanny Evans, director of research and partnerships for the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports (CAHSS).
The study was a follow-up to the past two years’ CAHSS studies that documented a 4.9% increase in hunting license sales from 2019 to 2020 (otherwise known as the COVID-Bump) and a 1.9% decrease the following year from 2020 to 2021. To continue monitoring sales trends in the wake of the pandemic impact, the Council revisited this study in early 2023 to identify ongoing changes and emerging trends in hunters’ rates of license purchases.
Working with Southwick Associates, the Council collected monthly resident and nonresident hunting license sales data from 46 state wildlife agencies to quantify and compare 2022 to 2021 sales. Among the 46 reporting states:
• Overall, hunting license sales decreased by approximately 3.1% in 2022 compared to 2021. Coincidentally, resident and nonresident license sales each were also down 3.1%.
• Just six of 46 states saw an overall increase in the number of licenses sold in 2022 compared to 2021.
• License sales were down overall in each of the four geographical regions (Northeast, Southeast, Midwest and West), with percentages ranging from -2.4 to -4.8%.
• The only months with overall increases in license sales (and slight ones at that) were February and September.
• The surge in nonresident license sales seen in 2021 receded in three of the four geographical regions, with the only increase seen in the Northeast.
The Hunting License Sales 2021–2022 report, which provides the most representative data on the current state of hunting license sales nationally and regionally, can be accessed on the Council’s website, cahss.org/our-research/hunting-license-sales-2021-2022.
For more info: www.cahss.org.
Safe LivinG Awards Ruger With Excellence In Safety Award
SLG2 Inc., an event marketing company that includes brands Shoot Like A Girl, Safe LivinG, Hunt Like A Girl and SLG2 Consulting, announced Ruger as Safe LivinG’s Excellence in Safety Award winner for Q2. Safety and responsibility serve as a cornerstone of Ruger’s philosophy and mission as the company strongly advocates for firearm safety.
“As a continuing symbol of responsibility and a trusted partner of SLG2 Inc., Ruger represents all that we stand for and more,” said Karen Butler, founder and president of SLG2 Inc. “We’re thrilled to present our Q2 Excellence in Safety Award to a company dedicated to responsible firearm ownership, enhancing safe living and promoting the 10 firearm safety rules.”
“Shoot Like A Girl does a tremendous job reaching new audiences and educating them on safe and responsible firearm ownership,” said Chris Killoy, Ruger president and CEO. “We are proud to support all of their initiatives, including Safe LivinG, as these programs continue to reinforce our corporate motto as Arms Makers For Responsible Citizens.”
For more info: www.SafeLiving2.com, www.ruger.com.
Magpul Steps Up To Support Hunter Education
The International Hunter Education Association-USA (IHEA-USA) announced Magpul Industries is now an official partner to Hunter Education.
Magpul Industries is sponsoring the upcoming IHEA-USA Conference and will be participating in several IHEA-USA programs. Magpul will be offering discounts to IHEA-USA Hunter Educators and will also support the student audience with information on replacement stocks in the new classroom product offered by the IHEA-USA Hunter’s Experience.
Alex Baer, executive director of the IHEA-USA, stated, “Partnerships of this magnitude allow us the ability to be progressive in our training offerings to our instructors, new hunters and the general hunting public. Contributions like this to our efforts are highly important to us, and we are grateful for this new partnership.”
“Magpul is proud to lead the industry in support of Hunter Education,” stated Carol Bethea, events and sponsorship manager for Magpul. “We are committed to firearms safety, so aligning our brand with the IHEA-USA and its audience was an easy decision. We are pleased to be able to support this unique and critical audience to the future of hunting and shooting. ”
The upcoming IHEA-USA Annual Conference is June 26–29 in Boise, Idaho.
For more info: www.ihea-usa.org, www.magpul.com.
