For Immediate Release:  May 16, 2013
Contact: Donna@southwickassociates.com

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. – Filled classrooms at Hunter Safety courses are a good thing, but perhaps more important is the number of students that actually participate in hunting after they graduate.  A recent survey, funded by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and conducted by Southwick Associates, focused on participation levels of students in the years immediately following their graduation from hunter education class.  The survey revealed that a significant percentage of hunter education students do not buy a license after graduating.

Twelve state wildlife agencies supplied data for the survey, which profiled the subsequent hunting license buying habits of hunter education graduates from 2006-2011.

• Just 67.7 % of graduates over the six-year period purchased at least one license.
• While some graduates took hunter education with no intention of hunting, others needed assistance to make the leap to become an avid hunter.
• After six years, only 44 % of graduates still bought licenses.
• Graduates from highly urbanized areas showed the greatest dropout rates indicating a greater need for intervention efforts.
• People graduating in warmer months represented the greatest percentage of graduates who never purchased a license.
• In most states, graduates between the ages of 16 to 24 were less likely to buy a license six years after graduating, which showed the transient nature of young people.  This held true for college students and those in the military.

“This shows us that simply encouraging people to obtain their hunter safety certificate is not enough,” said Rob Southwick, president of Southwick Associates, which designs and conducts surveys such as HunterSurvey.com, ShooterSurvey.com, and AnglerSurvey.com.  “The hunting community needs ways to encourage new graduates to buy a license and go hunting. Whether that means more programs for state agencies to get people out hunting, private industry intervention, or simply more hunters taking their neighbor’s kid into the woods, remains to be seen. “

It is the belief of the NSSF that the results from this study will help the hunting community determine where intervention is needed to maintain hunting participation among newer hunters.

The full results from the survey can been seen in greater depth at click here

Southwick Associates helps the outdoor industry, management agencies and non-profit organizations understand the size of markets, sales and participation trends and the economic aspects of hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation and conservation issues.

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FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — When it comes to selecting the perfect holiday gift or finding that present for the person who has everything, sportsmen know when buying for a fellow shooter or hunter that something related to their sport is sure to please. According to a recent HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com poll, just over half of all hunters and shooters reported giving or receiving a hunting or shooting item during the holidays this past year.

And of the 52 percent of respondents who gave or received hunting or shooting items, it seems hunters are more on the giving and receiving end as survey participants reported 66 percent of the gifts will be used for hunting verses 34 percent exclusively for shooting.

“Most hunters and shooters are extremely passionate about their respective activities so buying them a gift related to those activities is always a pretty safe bet whether its for the holidays, a birthday or just to say thank you,” says Rob Southwick, president of Southwick Associates, which designs and conducts the surveys at HunterSurvey.com, ShooterSurvey.com and AnglerSurvey.com.

To help continually improve, protect and advance angling and other outdoor recreation, all sportsmen and sportswomen are encouraged to participate in the surveys at HunterSurvey.com, ShooterSurvey.com and/or AnglerSurvey.com. Each month, participants who complete the survey are entered into a drawing for one of five $100 gift certificates to the sporting goods retailer of their choice.

About AnglerSurvey.com, HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com: Launched in 2006, AnglerSurvey.com, HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com help the outdoor equipment industry, government fisheries and wildlife officials and conservation organizations track consumer activities and expenditure trends. Survey results are scientifically analyzed to reflect the attitudes and habits of anglers and hunters across the United States. Follow them on Facebook at http://facebook.com/huntersurvey and http://facebook.com/anglersurvey or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/AnglerSurvey and https://twitter.com/#!/HunterSurvey.

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AnglerSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com is supporting theKeep America Fishing and the Mule Deer Foundation by making a donation for each new participant to take the surveys in May 2013.

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FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — The number of anglers who had to cancel a fishing trip or stop fishing a particular location last year because they lost access to a favorite fishing spot overall has not changed compared to last year.  17 percent of recreational fisherman surveyed by AnglerSurvey.com reported issues with access as opposed to 20 percent a year earlier. Despite this minor improvement, roughly one in five anglers is still being affected each year by not being able to use a favorite fishing location.

Likewise, because more anglers fish freshwater than saltwater, as well as the fact that there is more private land surrounding lakes and streams, 71 percent of reported access problems involved freshwater anglers and 24 percent involved saltwater in 2012.

Despite these challenges, 22 percent of affected anglers said they actually fished more last year than the previous year, just in a different location, and at least 32 percent reported fishing at least as much. Still, 39 percent reported fishing less frequently due to their lost access and seven percent didn’t fish at all.

“Despite the efforts and resourcefulness of some anglers to find new fishing areas after losing access to others, it is clear that such challenges are causing us to lose anglers each year,” says Rob Southwick, president of Southwick Associates, which designs and conducts the surveys at HunterSurvey.com, ShooterSurvey.com and AnglerSurvey.com. “Whether it is due to fishery closures, closed ramps or land previously used to access a lake or stream changing hands and becoming closed to the public access remains a persistent issue. Fisheries managers, anglers and industry need to continue working together to resolve these problems.”

To help continually improve, protect and advance angling and other outdoor recreation, all sportsmen and sportswomen are encouraged to participate in the surveys at HunterSurvey.com, ShooterSurvey.com and/or AnglerSurvey.com. Each month, participants who complete the survey are entered into a drawing for one of five $100 gift certificates to the sporting goods retailer of their choice.

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About AnglerSurvey.com, HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com: Launched in 2006, AnglerSurvey.com, HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com help the outdoor equipment industry, government fisheries and wildlife officials and conservation organizations track consumer activities and expenditure trends. Survey results are scientifically analyzed to reflect the attitudes and habits of anglers and hunters across the United States. Follow them on Facebook at http://facebook.com/huntersurvey and http://facebook.com/anglersurvey or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/AnglerSurvey and https://twitter.com/#!/HunterSurvey.

Welcome to the Southwick Associates newsletter focusing on the economics, business and statistics of fish, wildlife, and their associated outdoor recreations.

In This Issue:

• Hunting in America: New Economic Report Released by NSSF
• The Economics of Sportfishing: ASA Releases Report
• Top Hunting and Shooting Brands
• Spending on Outdoor Recreation Drives State Economies
• States Can Structure Sporting License Pricing for Maximum Sales

Hunting In America: New Economic Report Released by NSSF

Between 2006 and 2011, the number of hunters in the United States grew by nine percent, while their spending on hunting-related products and services grew by more than 30 percent, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). However, the total economic impact of the activity may go much further. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), in conjunction with the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (AFWA), recently released the report, “Hunting In America: An Economic Force for Conservation,” which offers a unique glimpse into the real economic impact that hunting has on states and communities across the country.

Citing data compiled and analyzed by Southwick Associates, the report details not only the overall economic reach of hunters, but breaks numbers down by types of expenditures, and types of hunting including hunting for deer, migratory birds or upland birds. The report also examines hunter numbers by state, as well as participants’ unwavering support for conservation.

Hunting Quick Facts

• 13.7 million hunters
• $38.3 billion in total expenditures
• $86.9 billion in overall economic output
• $26.4 billion in salaries and wages generated
• 680,937 jobs supported
• $5.4 billion in state and local taxes generated
• $6.4 billion in federal taxes
• Over $1.6 billion annually in dedicated wildlife conservation funding

View more facts and figures, as well as the full report.

The NSSF’s report provides part of the foundation for a similar report, “America’s Sporting Heritage: Fueling the American Economy,” released by the Congressional Sportsman’s Foundation (CSF). The CSF reports provide compelling data on both hunting and fishing and provides abundant facts and figures that every American can appreciate.

The Economics of Sportfishing: ASA Releases Report

Southwick Associates was also recently busy working with the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) to highlight another financial pillar of conservation, fishing, as described in the report, “Sportfishing in America: An Economic Force for Conservation.” With the USFWS reporting that 33 million Americans age 16 or older went fishing in 2011, and ASA estimating there are potentially as many as 60 million Americans of all ages who consider themselves anglers in the country, fishing at least once every five years, the sportfishing community is undoubtedly vital to the economy and conservation.

In fact, it is estimated that anglers spend approximately $48 billion annually on equipment, licenses, trips, and other fishing-related items or events with an economic multiplier effect of $115 billion impacting our nation’s economy. Each angler spends roughly $1,441 per year supporting 828,000 jobs that account for as much as $35 billion in salaries and wages. Plus, through excise taxes on fishing tackle, fishing licenses and personal donations, anglers contributed nearly $1.5 billion in dedicated funding to fisheries conservation in 2011. And these numbers promise to grow with the population of anglers growing 11 percent between 2006 and 2011.

More Fishing Quick Facts

• More Americans fish than play golf  (21 million) and tennis (13 million) combined.
• If fishing were a company, the amount spent by anglers to support fishing-related retail sales would rank number 51 on the Fortune 500 list.
• Fishing generated more revenue  ($48 billion) than Lockheed Martin  ($47 billion), Intel ($44 billion), Chrysler ($42 billion) or Google ($38 billion).
• The economic activity generated  by sportfishing is greater than the economies, measured in Gross State Product, of 17 states.

View more facts and figures, as well as the full report.

Top Hunting and Shooting Brands
Every sportsman has his or her favorite brands that serve well in the field. But have you ever wondered exactly which brands are the most popular and if your favorites are among them?

As part of its continual efforts to monitor and provide service to the businesses and organizations involved in the outdoors, each year, Southwick Associates polls sportsman to determine which brands of goods they are buying most and what the motivations are behind purchasing those brands. Southwick recently released  findings for the top brands of 2012. Some of the top choices include for Hunting and Angling:

• Top rifle brand: Remington, Ruger (both 11.5 percent of all purchases)
• Top shotgun brand: Remington (19.7 percent of all purchases)
• Top muzzleloader brand: CVA (31.0 percent of all purchases)
• Top handgun brand: Sturm, Ruger (17.7 percent of all purchases)
• Top crossbow brand: Barnett (21.7 percent of all purchases)
• Top air rifle brand: Crosman (29.6 percent of all purchases)
• Top rifle ammunition brand: Remington (21.4 percent of all purchases)
• Top shotgun ammunition brand: Winchester (32.1 percent of all purchases)
• Top rod brand: Shakespeare (10.0% of all purchases)
• Top reel brand: Shimano (21.1% of all purchases)
• Top combo brand: Shakespeare (18.3%of all purchases)
• Top fishing line brand: Berkley Trilene, PowerPro (each 11.2% of all purchases)
• Top hard bait brand: Rapala (23.5% of all purchases)
• Top soft bait brand: Berkley Gulp, Zoom (12.8%, 12.6% of all purchases)
• Top fly rod brand: Sage (23.1% of all purchases)
• Top fly reels brand: Cabelas (19.2% of all purchases)
• Top fly combo brand: Cabelas (18.5% of all purchases)
• Top fly line brand: Scientific Angler (3M) (15.4% of all purchases)

View the full press release and learn how you or your company can obtain the full, detailed 200+ page report.

Spending on Outdoor Recreation Drives State Economies
When looking at overall state-by-state economies, outdoor recreation as a whole provides a magnitude of economic benefits across the country. These are the findings of the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), which, alongside Southwick Associates, tallied up the spending of outdoorsmen on their recreation in each state to include direct spending, jobs, salaries and tax revenues generated. The association found that nationally, Americans spend $646 billion a year on outdoor recreation, supporting more than 6 million jobs and generating $80 billion in tax revenue.

“Outdoor recreation is a growing American industry that produces significant economic benefits,” said Will Manzer, chair of the OIA Board of Directors and former CEO of Eastern Mountain Sports. “For example, Americans spend almost twice as much on outdoor recreation as they spend on pharmaceuticals each year. And outdoor recreation supports more than twice as many jobs as the oil and gas industry.”

The national report, as well as a one page fact sheet for each state is available on the OIA website at outdoorindustry.org/recreationeconomy.

States Can Structure Sporting License Pricing for Maximum Sales

With shrinking budgets and fewer revenue streams available to governmental agencies at the top of the headlines recently, every agency must look at how to improve funding to improve services expected by constituents. For fish and wildlife agencies around the country, that often requires restructuring hunting and fishing licenses and permits.

Southwick Associates works with many fish and game agencies to boost revenues by scientifically identifying optimal license prices and new license types that anglers and hunters are more inclined to purchase. They do this through two primary ways:

License Pricing Models

Southwick uses a multivariate-based approach to scientifically identify which agency licenses can generate greater revenue, how much revenues can be expected to vary at different price points, which licenses should be left alone and the anticipated change in the number of buyers should price changes be enacted.

New Licenses

Our second approach examines which new license types will generate greater demand by hunters and anglers, how much they would be willing to pay for each proposed license, and the estimated net effect on agency revenue.

Interested agencies should contact Southwick Associates at 904-277-9765 or email rob@southwickassociates.com. You can also visit the “Specialties” section of our website for a complete view at the services we provide.

Correction to Previous Article:

In the November newsletter, we incorrectly reported that spending on outdoor recreation increased 6.1% since 2006. The correct growth rate is 5.0%. We regret the error and any confusion it may have caused.

In Our Next Issue:

• Economic impacts of Conservation Investments
• Jobs and Contributions from USFS Long Leaf Pine Restoration in Florida
• Hunter Education: How Many Graduates Actually Hunt?
• State-Level Economic Impacts from Outdoor Recreation of all Types
• The Dollars and Jobs Associated with Target Shooting in the U.S.

Southwick Associates, Inc. specializes in natural resource & environmental economic, business and statistical research.  Our staff is comprised of economic, business and statistics professionals throughout the U.S. who have in-depth experience measuring the values, benefits and revenues possible from fish, wildlife, and water-related natural resources plus their associated industries.  We can help clients better address many business, legal, legislative and public communication issues through the practical application of reliable and accurate economic information and statistics.

For information and other reports, visit our Web site at www.southwickassociates.com

If you wish to be removed from our distribution list, please send an email with “remove from newsletter” added in the subject line, to donna@southwickassociates.com.

Newsletter Editor: Source Stream Media, LLC, Virginia Beach, VA

Photos: Bill Winke, Doug Howlett, Coleman, National Shooting Sports Foundation

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FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — With soaring ammunition costs and shortages of cartridges on store shelves making headlines in recent months, many shooters are wondering how they are going to find or afford enough rounds to keep enjoying their sport as much as they always have. For some, the answer—at least a partial one—has been found in reloading their own ammunition. A recent ShooterSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com poll found that approximately one-in-four respondents—just over 26 percent—said they reload.

Of those who participate in the activity, the top reason cited was to save money, followed closely by wanting to improve accuracy. The chief motivations for reloading are:

• To save money                                                                 86%
• To improve accuracy                                                       72%
• To obtain rounds difficult to find in stores                   34%
• To reduce waste                                                              28%
• Other                                                                                  11%

Of those who chose other, the majority wrote in that they reload for fun, relaxation and enjoyment. Respondents could check more than one reason.

“Some people view reloading as a niche activity though these results show, with as many as a quarter of avid shooters assembling their own rounds, it is a popular activity,” says Rob Southwick, president of Southwick Associates, which designs and conducts the surveys at HunterSurvey.com, ShooterSurvey.com and AnglerSurvey.com.

Among the types of ammunition reloaded, rifle leads the way with 79 percent of reloaders putting together those rounds, followed by 60 percent who assemble handgun cartridges and 28 percent loading shotshells. Some people who reload do so with multiple types of ammunition.

To help continually improve, protect and advance angling and other outdoor recreation, all sportsmen and sportswomen are encouraged to participate in the surveys at HunterSurvey.com, ShooterSurvey.com and/or AnglerSurvey.com. Each month, participants who complete the survey are entered into a drawing for one of five $100 gift certificates to the sporting goods retailer of their choice.

About AnglerSurvey.com, HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com: Launched in 2006, AnglerSurvey.com, HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com help the outdoor equipment industry, government fisheries and wildlife officials and conservation organizations track consumer activities and expenditure trends. Survey results are scientifically analyzed to reflect the attitudes and habits of anglers and hunters across the United States. Follow them on Facebook at http://facebook.com/huntersurvey and http://facebook.com/anglersurvey or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/AnglerSurvey and https://twitter.com/#!/HunterSurvey.

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For Immediate Release:  March 6, 2013

Contact: Donna@southwickassociates.com

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. —American sportsmen hail from every walk of life imaginable, and just as they are a diverse crowd, so too are their reasons for participating in hunting. While many portray hunting as an intense effort to get game, the reality is the overall outdoor experience holds much more sway in attracting people to the sport.

To monitor long term trends, each year HunterSurvey.com inquires about hunters’ motivations. The January 2013 poll found that rather than one key or leading reason that motivated sportsmen to hunt, there are actually many. And no single motivator stands completely head and shoulders above the rest. When asked “Why do you like to hunt?, respondents provided the following answers (participants could check all that apply):

• Like to spend time outdoors                                                       92%
• Enjoy seeing wildlife                                                                     87%
• Enjoy the peace and quiet of the outdoors                               87%
• Enjoy the challenge                                                                       80%
• Like to spend time with friends/family who hunt                      74%
• Like providing food for my family/friends                                   70%
• Other                                                                                                   9%

“This matches recent in-depth NSSF research that showed hunters go afield for fun, social and outdoor reasons. From spending time with family and friends outdoors to the peace and solitude of being alone in nature, hunting is much more than taking game,” says Rob Southwick, president of Southwick Associates, which designs and conducts the surveys at HunterSurvey.com, ShooterSurvey.com and AnglerSurvey.com. “Future efforts to increase hunting, or to successfully promote hunting-related products and services, must emphasize fun, social interactions and the total outdoor experience hunting provides.”

To help continually improve, protect and advance angling and other outdoor recreation, all sportsmen and sportswomen are encouraged to participate in the surveys at HunterSurvey.com, ShooterSurvey.com and/or AnglerSurvey.com. Each month, participants who complete the survey are entered into a drawing for one of five $100 gift certificates to the sporting goods retailer of their choice

About AnglerSurvey.com, HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com: Launched in 2006, AnglerSurvey.com, HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com help the outdoor equipment industry, government fisheries and wildlife officials and conservation organizations track consumer activities and expenditure trends. Survey results are scientifically analyzed to reflect the attitudes and habits of anglers and hunters across the United States. Follow them on Facebook at http://facebook.com/huntersurvey and http://facebook.com/anglersurvey or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/AnglerSurvey and https://twitter.com/#!/HunterSurvey.

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Produced by Southwick Associates, the report, Hunting in America: An Economic Force for Conservation, provides detailed information on 40-plus categories of U.S. hunting-related expenditures, which grew 55 percent, as well as state-by-state statistics for number of hunters, retail sales, taxes and jobs. The report notes an overall nine percent increase in hunting participation between 2006 and 2011. The money hunters spent in 2011 resulted in $87 billion being added to the nation’s economy and supported more than 680,000 jobs nationally.

“The major growth in spending by hunters is good news for businesses throughout the country, particularly small businesses in rural areas,” said NSSF President and CEO Steve Sanetti.

Beyond their impact on businesses and local economies, sportsmen are the leaders in protecting wildlife and habitats. When you combine license and stamp fees, excise taxes on hunting equipment and membership contributions to conservation organizations, hunters contribute more than $1.6 billion annually to conservation.

“Hunters are without peer when it comes to funding the perpetuation and conservation of wildlife and natural habitats,” said Sanetti.

Read Hunting in America: An Economic Force for Conservation or view the report as a printable PDF.

To request hard copies of the report, email Jim Curcuruto at jcurcuruto@nssf.org (limited quantity available).

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About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 8,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org. 

Contact: Donna@southwickassociates.com

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. – Southwick Associates’ AnglerSurvey.com announced the brands and products anglers purchased most frequently in 2012. This list has been compiled from the 15,819 internet-based surveys completed by anglers who volunteered to participate last year in AnglerSurvey.com polls.

In 2012, the top brands include:

• Top rod brand: Shakespeare (10.0% of all purchases)
• Top reel brand: Shimano (21.1% of all purchases)
• Top combo brand: Shakespeare (18.3%of all purchases)
• Top fishing line brand: Berkley Trilene, PowerPro (each 11.2% of all purchases)
• Top hard bait brand: Rapala (23.5% of all purchases)
• Top soft bait brand: Berkley Gulp, Zoom (12.8%, 12.6% of all purchases)
• Top spinner bait brand: Strike King (18.5% of all purchases)
• Top jig brand: Strike King (7.6% of all purchases)
• Top hook brand: Gamakatsu (24.7% of all purchases)
• Top sinker brand:  Eagle Claw (11.0% of all purchases)
• Top swivel brand:  Eagle Claw (24.6% of all purchases)
• Top rigs brand: Eagle Claw (11.8% of all purchases)
• Top bobber brand: Thill (19.4% of all purchases)
• Top leader brand: Seaguar (19.0% of all purchases)
• Top fly rod brand: Sage (23.1% of all purchases)
• Top fly reels brand: Cabelas (19.2% of all purchases)
• Top fly combo brand: Cabelas (18.5% of all purchases)
• Top fly line brand: Scientific Angler (3M) (15.4% of all purchases)
• Top fly leader brand: Rio (38.7% of all purchases)
• Top fish finder brand: Lowrance, Humminbird (43.0%,42.9% of all purchases)
• Top tackle box brand: Plano (44.0% of all purchases)
• Top landing net brand: Frabill (34.9% of all purchases)
• Top fishing knife brand: Rapala (28.2% of all purchases)

* Largemouth bass remain the number one targeted species of freshwater fish, with 55% of fishing activity targeting largemouth bass, followed by pan fish 38% and smallmouth bass 25%.

* Saltwater anglers were more varied, with 31% of trips targeting redfish/red drum, followed by flounder (25%), and striped bass (19%). Please note these refer to species targeted on trips and not the number of fish actually caught.

The marketing data presented here is a summary of a 135-page market report just released by Southwick Associates that details consumer behavior including what products and brands are purchased, where they are bought, how much customers spend, and demographics of freshwater and saltwater anglers broken out by each product category. Current information about what gear and brands anglers prefer, how many days they spend on the water and what type of fishing they enjoy most is vital to businesses trying to build their customer base.

You can stay abreast of consumer buying patterns and overall market trends by purchasing an annual subscription to Southwick Associates’ monthly AnglerSurvey.com reports. Reports are available for specific product categories including fishing rods, reels, line, lures, tackle, electronics, apparel, fly-fishing and ice fishing gear, and more. To purchase a report or subscription, contact John DePalma at  jdepalma@brandintelligent.com.

About AnglerSurvey.com, HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com: Launched in 2006, AnglerSurvey.com, HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com help the outdoor equipment industry, government fisheries and wildlife officials and conservation organizations track consumer activities and expenditure trends. Conducted by Southwick Associates, survey results are scientifically analyzed to reflect the attitudes and habits of anglers and hunters across the United States. Follow them on Facebook at http://facebook.com/huntersurvey and http://facebook.com/anglersurvey or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/AnglerSurvey and https://twitter.com/#!/HunterSurvey.

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FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — Southwick Associates has announced the brands hunters and shooters purchased most frequently in 2012. This list has been compiled from the 35,081 internet-based surveys completed by hunters and target shooters who volunteered to participate last year in HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com polls. In 2012, top brands included:

•  Top rifle brand: Remington, Ruger (each11.5% of all purchases)
•  Top shotgun brand: Remington (19.7% of all purchases)
•  Top muzzleloader brand: CVA (31.0% of all purchases)
•  Top handgun brand: Sturm, Ruger (17.7% of all purchases)
•  Top crossbow brand: Barnett (21.7% of all purchases)
•  Top air rifle brand: Crosman (29.6% of all purchases)
•  Top rifle ammunition brand: Remington (21.4% of all purchases)
•  Top shotgun ammunition brand: Winchester (32.1% of all purchases)
•  Top handgun ammunition brand: Winchester (17.9% of all purchases)
•  Top blackpowder brand: Pyrodex (41.6% of all purchases)
•  Top balls, bullets, or shot brand: Hornady (33.0% of all purchases)
•  Top bow brand: Hoyt (15.0% of all purchases)Top arrow brand: Carbon Express (30.1% of all purchases)
•  Top arrow brand: Carbon Express (30.1% of all purchases)
•  Top fletching brand: Blazer (24.4% of all purchases)
•  Top broad head brand: Rage (21.1% of all purchases)
•  Top release/tab brand: Tru-Fire (33.0% of all purchases)
•  Top archery target brand: The Block (11.9% of all purchases)
•  Top bow case brand: Plano (35.5% of all purchases)
•  Top archery sight brand: TruGlo (27.8% of all purchases)
•  Top decoy brand: Mojo (10.8% of all purchases)
•  Top game call brand: Primos (26.2% of all purchases)
•  Top reloading press brand: Lee Precision (37.9% of all purchases)
•  Top reloading die brand: Lee Precision (38.3% of all purchases)
•  Top reloading bullet brand: Hornady (34.0% of all purchases)
•  Top reloading primer brand: CCI (40.3% of all purchases)
•  Top reloading powder brand: Hodgdon (40.7% of all purchases)
•  Top shot brand: Lawrence (30.2% of all purchases)
•  Top binocular brand: Bushnell (28.7% of all purchases)
•  Top scope brand for firearms: Bushnell (14.5% of all purchases)
•  Top spotting scope brand: Barska (10.5% of all purchases)
•  Top range finder brand: Bushnell (36.3% of all purchases)
•  Top optic sight brand: EOTech (8.7% of all purchases)
•  Top knife brand: Buck (13.4% of all purchases)
•  Top cover scent brand: Wildlife Research Center (19.9% of all purchases)
•  Top lure scent brand: Tinks (31.4% of all purchases)
•  Top odor eliminator brand: Scent-A-Way (35.8% of all purchases)
•  Top shooting target brand: Shoot-N-C (31.0% of all purchases)
•  Top tree stand brand: Guide Gear (12.1% of all purchases)
•  Top blind brand: Ameristep (33.9% of all purchases)
•  Top clay brand: White Flyer (51.3% of all purchases)
•  Top trail camera brand: Moultrie (25.4% of all purchases)
•  Top holster brand: Blackhawk (15.0% of all purchases)
•  Top gun sleeves brand: Allen (12.1% of all purchases)
•  Top gun safe brand: Stack-on (25.7% of all purchases)
•  Top magazine brand: ProMag (11.9% of all purchases)

The marketing data presented here is a summary of a 233-page report that details consumer behavior including what products and brands are purchased, where they are bought, how much customers spend, and demographics of hunters and shooters broken out by each product category. Current information about what gear and brands hunters and shooters prefer, how many days they spend afield and what type of hunting and shooting they enjoy most is vital to businesses trying to build their customer base.

You can stay abreast of consumer buying patterns and overall market trends by purchasing an annual subscription to Southwick Associates’ monthly HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com reports. Reports are available for specific product categories including firearms, ammunition, blackpowder, bowhunting and archery equipment, decoys, game calls, apparel, crossbows and more. To purchase a report or subscription, contact John DePalma at jdepalma@brandintelligent.com.

About AnglerSurvey.com, HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com: Launched in 2006, AnglerSurvey.com, HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com help the outdoor equipment industry, government fisheries and wildlife officials and conservation organizations track consumer activities and expenditure trends. Conducted by Southwick Associates, survey results are scientifically analyzed to reflect the attitudes and habits of anglers and hunters across the United States. Follow them on Facebook at http://facebook.com/huntersurvey and http://facebook.com/anglersurvey or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/AnglerSurvey and https://twitter.com/#!/HunterSurvey.

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