The Outdoor Scene

In this post, I’m sharing a sampling of exclusive survey results from women who hunt and target shoot. You have never seen this data because it was specially pulled for the Women’s Outdoor Wire from Southwick Associates’ March 2009 hunter survey. See how you stack up against those women who took the survey.

What is the average age of hunter survey respondents?
Under 18 – 0%
18 to 24 – 5.08%
25 to 34 – 27.44%
35 to 44 – 29.54%
45 to 54 – 24.43%
55 to 64 – 10.36%
65 and older – 3.16%

Did you hunt this past month?
Yes – 15.38%
No – 84.62%

Species Sought in the past month by respondents who hunt.
Deer – 11.13%
Elk – 0%
Turkey – 53.94%
Waterfowl – 7.65%
Small Game – 16%
Dove – 4.81%
Upland Game Birds – 7.54%
Predator/Predator Calling – 12.23%
Varmint – 0%
Coyote – 19.09%
Bear – 0%
Moose – 0%
Prairie Dog – 0%
Other – 24.39%

Did you target shoot last month?
Yes – 44.58%
No – 55.42%

Target shooting activities by respondents who went target shooting.
Rifle shooting (plinking, benchrest, tactical, cowboy, etc) – 42.64%
Handgun shooting (plinking, benchrest, tactical, cowboy, etc) – 39.37%
Bow/archery – 44.48%
Air rifle – 8.65%
Shotgun – 30.06%
Sighting rifle or muzzleloader – 26.25 percent
Other – 2.71%

Did you purchase any hunting or shooting items last month?
Yes – 35.62%
No – 64.38%

The primary purpose of the purchase was:
Hunting – 53.14%
Target shooting – 20.39%
Self defense – 9.92%
Gift – 8.34%
Other – 8.22%

What survey respondents reported buying:
Firearms – 9.17%
Ammunition – 28.09%
Blackpowder – 0.29%
Bowhunting – 12.03%
Game Calls – 13.94%
Hand loading – 0.61%
Optics – 0%
Hunting apparel – 18.55%
Hunting accessories – 8.66%
Shooting accessories – 8.48%
I did not purchase anything - 0.17%

Types of stores where hunting equipment was purchased:
Gun shows or expos – 5.2%
General sporting goods (Sports Authority, Dicks, Academy) – 15.7%
Local shop (bait tackle, specialty fly shop) - 18.7%
Mass merchant – (Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Sams Club) – 51.1%
Outdoor specialty store (Bass Pro, Cabelas, Gander Mountain) – 58.1%
Printed catalog – (Bass Pro and Cabelas) – 6.4%
Used - 0.4%
Web site (Cabelas, Bass Pro) – 5.0%
Other – 12.9%

For those women who desire more choices when shopping for hunting and shooting equipment and apparel, this type of information is exactly what the industry looks at when making decisions. Manufacturers and retailers aren’t going to deliver what we want based on a gut feeling. Business is business and it requires hard numbers to measure demand. The good news is this data is being generated. The bad news is the number of women who take the survey is miniscule compared to the number of men.

If we’re serious about wanting more retail choices, we’re going to have to prove it. I recommend you visit www.huntersurvey.com and share insights about your purchasing habits. If you’re an angler, you can do the same at www.anglersurvey.com

Results of the surveys are used by wildlife agencies and sportsmen’s groups to protect and enhance hunting opportunities. Also, your participation will help the industry develop new products and improve services.  As a bonus, every month you complete the survey, you can win one of five $100 gift certificates to the sporting goods retailer of your choice.

So go ahead, make your wishes known.

And don’t forget you can catch up with me on Facebook at facebook.com/tammy.sapp2 and Twitter @TammyDianeSapp.