2. Continued Moderation in Hunters’ Numbers
According to the latest statistics available, million people went hunting in the US during spring 2016, which is the same as fall Since 2008, spring 2010 had the most hunters, at million, and fall 2012 had the fewest, at million.
Southwick Associates reported that during November–December 2016, whitetail deer dominated the list of hunters’ favorite species, at 83.5%; followed by small game, 23.9%; waterfowl, 17.3%; upland game birds, 15.5%; and turkey, 10.5%.
There are five stages of a hunter: Shooter, Limiting, Trophy, Methods and Sportsman. Shooters are beginner hunters who want to test the capability of their firearm while Sportsmen are seasoned hunters who enjoy the totality of the experience.

3. Retail Turnover
Much has been occurring in the outdoor retail industry. During July 2017, the Federal Trade Commission approved the merger of Bass Pro Shops (82 stores) and Cabela’s ((5 stores); however, Cabela’s shareholders must also approve the deal.
Following Gander Mountain’s filing for bankruptcy during March 2017, Camping World Holdings acquired Gander Mountain’s assets from an auction, including leases for 17 Gander Mountain stores. At least half of the retailers’ 160 stores are expected to close.
During the first half of 2017, Sports Afield, America’s oldest outdoor magazine, acquired the assets of Cabela’s Trophy Properties, which has been the leading source of recreational property listings. The new company is Sports Afield Trophy Properties.

4. Fishing Is Just Plain Fun
The latest information from the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation’s 2016 Special Report on Fishing reveals that the total number of US persons 6+ who fished during 2015 was million, or 300,000 fewer than 2014’s 46.0 million.
Freshwater fishing continued to be the most popular, at 37.7 million participants, but that was 100,000 fewer than Saltwater fishing, with 12 million participants, gained 200,000 and fly fishing increased 200,000 participants to 6.1 million.
Fishing as an outdoor activity among youth increased slightly for those ages 6–12, from 6.6 million for 2014 to 6.7 million for 2015, and for those ages 13–17, from 3.9 million to 4.0 million.

5. Hooked on Gear
As Media Group Online’s Power Boats & Sailboats 2017 Profiler reported, total US boat sales increased 5.4% during 2016 and increased 8.5% during May Aluminum fishing boats was second for the month, with an increase of 9.8%.
Based on fishing license sales from 12 major sportfishing states, there was 0.5% increase in fishing licenses sold during all of 2016, compared to all of 2015.
The July 2017 issue of Fishing Tackle Retailer reported that 67.6% of those participating in Southwick Associates 2016 angler survey said they used a traditional filet knife for fileting fish and 27.4% were currently using at least 2 tackle boxes.

6. More Ways to Enjoy the Outdoors
The bipartisan Modern Fish Act was introduced in the US House during April 2017 and the US Senate during July Most notably, it would set separate recreational fishing limits instead of being subject to stricter commercial fishing limits.
Wild game is being promoted as an “organic” and nutritional food source. For example, a 3-oz. portion of venison is 120 calories, with 23 g. of protein and 85 mg cholesterol and a 3-oz. portion of bass is 97 calories and 16 g. of protein.
During 2015, fishing was the #1 activity among campers; however, for 2016 hiking/backpacking, at 50%, surpassed fishing, at 44%, an 8% decrease since 2014, while hunting was #9 on the list, at 11%.

7. Advertising Strategies
Consider adopting the Trump presidential campaign with signage, bumper stickers and other promotional items with the slogans, “Make Fishing Great Again!” and “Make Hunting Great Again!”
Co-promote with an outdoors/camping and/or sporting goods store discounted bundles of camping/fishing and camping/hunting items (primarily accessories) to help promote fishing and hunting as the perfect complementary activities to a camping trip.
With many anglers using two or more tackle boxes, promote a second tackle box at half off when purchasing the first at full price, and at a higher price point than the second.

8. New Media Strategies
To promote youth participation in fishing and hunting, host a “Cute Kid Fishing or Hunting” photo contest. Invite parents, friends and youth to submit their photos, and then ask everyone to vote for the “cutest,” with a grand prize for the winner.
Conduct a poll or survey on your Website and/or via social media to learn more about your customers’ fishing and hunting interests, and then use that data to promote specific products and/or services.
Ask your customers and other local anglers to contact their US representative and/or US senator and voice their support for the Modern Fish Act. Include the following URL in your post to obtain their contact information: officials.