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Hunters and hunting expenditures up significantly
A Census Bureau poll, performed for Fish and WIldlife Service, shows that, over the period 2006-2011, the number of hunters increased 5% and gun, ammo, and archery expenditures increased by 33% This is a sharp reversal or earlier trends downward. This matches my hypothesis that we're seeing a broad cultural turnaround. Americans have historically liked guns, shooting, and hunting. From the 1960s onward, that was reduced. Now (at last, after fifty years) it's returning to the norm.
That's why even the media is going from "gun owners are Neanderthal rednecks out of tune with the modern world and society's needs" to being generally fair, why the courts are open to Second Amendment challenges, and why the antigun groups are faltering. When the cultural battle is being lost, it's harder to win political battles.
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5% new hunters, 33% new hunter being outfitted with new gear. I wonder how many of the new hunters are 'prepping'vs. how many are getting back to our roots? Not that it matters much, more guns, more archery equipment equals more fun in the long run, not to mention more hunting camp stories.
Honestly, with the cost of food climbing in many areas, I think there will be a sharp turn back towards hunting and growing your own crops. It's simply the only way most middle income families already living from paycheck to paycheck will be able to stay fed.
Agree, in hard times, a couple of deer, elk, turkey, or other edible game critters in cold storage can be helpful...especially if the drought disrupts the markets for corn, beef and other commercial food production.
and the food that you get is a nice plus (or maybe a necessity)