By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

It’s common knowledge that hunting participation has been on the decline for well over a decade.  As old-timers fade away to the vast hunting grounds in the sky, younger members of the hunting community simply were not stepping up to replace them in any appreciable numbers.  Through time, the traditions were typically passed down through family members to the younger generation, but for myriad reasons, the circle had been broken.  Not anymore.

A new study by onX Hunt, in partnership with Southwick Associates, has thoroughly researched the refreshing about-face that has invigorated a new age group’s acquaintance with the outdoors, since the onset of the pandemic.  In addition, onX Hunt also looked at more experienced hunters and their reactions to the new faces.

While it had become obvious that interest in the outdoors was in the process of rapid growth, the size of the resurgence was unknown until now:  year 2020 saw a 25 percent increase in the nation’s hunters.  Is it any wonder why the ammo shelves have been bare?

Not surprisingly, most of the new hunters cited COVID-related reasons for having the interest and time to take up hunting. What many may find surprising is the degree to which existing hunters are excited by this influx. Complaints of overcrowding or inexperienced hunters seemed plenty, but the data show that 65 percent of existing hunters support the new crop, compared to only 27 percent who had concerns.

With 17 percent of these new hunters being non-white, and 22 percent of them identifying as female, this new generation is also overwhelmingly motivated by the ability to harvest their own meat.  In fact, 47 percent have reported this as their primary motivation to hunt. As questions about food safety increase, so has the desire to control personal food chains.

Funny thing:  We never hear from those bellyachers who were screaming about Michigan’s increase in hunting license fees a few years ago.  Paying $20 for a deer tag can get a person 40 to 50 pounds of low-fat, high protein, unadulterated nutrition.  Compare that to any mystery meat in today’s inflated market, and it’s a hands-down winning alternative.  

A few numbers also stood out, primarily when hunters were asked where they turned for education and guidance. The impact of the past few decades of lost hunters is readily apparent, as family members only make up 20 percent of mentors for new hunters. Instead, this new generation has relied on friends who hunt (more than 40 percent) or a spouse/partner 20 percent of the time.

Also of note was the reliance on video and technology – both as learning and a hunting tools. Forty-one percent of 2020’s hunters specifically listed “hunting-specific apps or GPS” as the one tool they have to bring on a hunt (after a weapon and ammunition).

For many of the new hunters, hunting has become more than a new hobby or pandemic pastime. Some 63 percent felt an increased connection to the sport, compared with 56 percent of experienced hunters. Regardless of experience level, research found that younger hunters tend to identify more closely to the activity, which could translate into a long-term boom to the industry.  This all equates to better wildlife management with the increase in license-driven revenue for officials.

Furthermore, the report indicates that 99 percent of experienced hunters said they would hunt again in 2021.  Additionally, research found that 93 percent of the new hunters would be back and 94 percent of 2020’s first-time hunters would be hunting in 2021.  Through a most difficult time, we have discovered the silver lining.

Missoula, Montana — onX Hunt, in partnership with Southwick Associates, has completed a deep dive look into the new wave of hunters that have entered the space in the past few years, with a focus on those who started hunting at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. In addition, onX Hunt also looked at more experienced hunters and their reactions to the new faces.

While everyone acknowledges the pandemic has sparked a resurgence in interest in the outdoors, no one really had a handle on the size of this wave until now. 2020 saw a 25% increase in hunters in the United States. This comes after decades of decline that had hunting advocates and state agencies scrambling with R3 (Retain, Recruit, Reactivate) efforts.

Not surprisingly, most of the new hunters cited COVID-related reasons for having the interest and time to take up hunting. What many may find surprising is the degree to which existing hunters are excited by this influx. Complaints of overcrowding or inexperienced hunters seemed plenty, but the data show that 65% of existing hunters support the new crop, compared to only 27% who had concerns.

Diversity is also improving, with 17% of these new hunters being non-white, and 22% of them identifying as female. This new generation is also overwhelmingly motivated by the ability to harvest their own meat, with 47% reporting that as their primary motivation to hunt. As questions about food safety increase, so has the desire to control personal food chains. Read more

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

With the realization that I had evolved as a hunter over the years, I never understood that a subtle transformation was only natural.  In fact, after learning that there are five distinct stages a hunter experiences in a lifetime, I found myself within the uncanny descriptions to a large extent.  Also, what I did not know is that these stages are commonly introduced to those who attend Hunter Education classes throughout the country.  A review of these phases may not only define where each of us is in the process, but may foretell one’s future.

• The Shooting Stage.  A hunter wants to shoot something – anything to show he was successful.  All I have to do is look on the garage wall where many deer antlers are hung to understand that things have changed.  I was proud to have taken any of them – even the spikehorns.
• The Limiting-Out Stage. Here the hunter’s focus and definition of success is measured in the amount of game he takes – especially if it involves a legal limit of game.  Using a shotgun to take squirrels can put them in the bag and may be good for the brag, but my fascination with .22 rimfire rifles and handguns meant less game.  Also, the delicate meat was always no-lead, so one here and there was success enough for me.
• The Trophy Stage. The metamorphosis finds a hunter pursuing certain characteristics of prime animals such as extraordinary antlers or unusual beards on turkeys.  To be the envy of fellow hunters and to earn bragging rights, a record-book entry will do the trick.  I’ve never been hung up on trophies, although I have a couple in the books; rather, I’ve found that prized animals come along now and then, but it takes a strong amount of faith to believe they will.
• The Method Stage. Using archery gear in firearms season or even a handgun puts one in this box.  There is a certain challenge that is coupled with this stage but there is a tradeoff that must be understood.  One must be accomplished in his method or he runs the risk of making hunts too difficult for ethical reasons.  This stage must include the 9 out of 10 rule:  If you can’t make the shot 9 out of 10 times, you are only kidding yourself.  Stay within your known limitations above all else.
• The Sportsmen Stage. Hunters will eventually arrive at their peak or are approaching the final years of hunting.  The hunt is not as important as the pursuit and fellowship with other hunters.  Working a dog on a trail or within a duck blind is the ultimate thrill.  Heck, sometimes older hunters don’t carry guns and spend more time with newer hunters ensuring long-time traditions are upheld.

The Giving Back Stage.  This stage is often omitted in hunter education manuals, but I find myself here, as well.  Food plots are one example of giving more to wildlife than mere taking.  As the snow cover makes foraging difficult for whitetails, the turnip plots are still providing nourishment when deer need it most.  Planting beneficial shrubs or trees fit into this category, too.  Even though we may not see them mature, we do it for the animals’ future welfare.

The circle is completed when hunters pass on knowledge and skills to others in a responsible and ethical way.  By so doing, we ensure that our unique traditions will continue beyond our time on earth.

Excerpt from Chris Dorsey’s latest column

Fresh off my annual multi-state fall hunting tour—part of the occupational hazard of being an outdoor television host, former magazine editor and book author (I know, it’s a dirty job…)—it seems an opportune time to assess the state of hunting. That is, with more Americans than ever ditching daily commutes for the chance to finally live where they can celebrate their lifestyle rather than simply earning a living, let’s countdown the 10 best states to be a hunter. This highly subjective dream list of places to move to if you love to hunt—or have always wanted to source tenderloins yourself—is derived from a couple of decades of traveling with rifles and shotguns, staying in motels that didn’t mind Labradors all the while visiting remote corners of our country. This ranking is based on the variety and abundance of available species, quality of game (size matters, after all), access to both public and private ground, hunting culture, and the simplicity—or complexity—of game laws in each state. Drum roll, please….

To read the rest of the column click here

Make your next bobcat hunt a success, with these tried-and-true strategies.

Euless, TX — Notoriously wary, bobcats challenge the most experienced hunters. Because of bobcats’ fine-tuned senses, they can certainly be difficult to call in. Even so, successfully calling in one of these wary cats provides an adrenaline rush unlike any other, as many hunters have discovered.

While calling in a bobcat is anything but easy, a few simple strategies can help you get the most out of your next hunt.

First, up your game by using a higher quality electronic call that produces better sounds. Many older electronic calls feature a horn-style speaker system and run off of AA batteries; neither is ideal for creating a premium sound quality. Convergent’s Bullet HP, however, features a powerful, integrated Li-ION rechargeable battery and conical speaker design, which is the style of speaker most often used for the best sound quality today. Because it produces a more vibrant, fuller sound, the Bullet HP is a simple yet effective way to draw in those leery, call-shy bobcats that never present a shot.

Second, don’t give the local bobcat population a free education. With so many new and inexperienced hunters heading afield, it’s common to see older, cheaper calls getting a lot of airtime in the field. The result is a highly call-literate population, making these notoriously skittish critters even more challenging to call into shooting range. A call with poor sound quality is a great way to give a free education, which is why a quality call, like the Convergent Hunting Solutions Bullet HP Bluetooth electronic call, is so crucial to the success of your next hunt.

Third, stick to the basics. Instead of getting fancy with exotic call patterns and advanced hunting strategies, the best way to improve your bobcat hunting game is to drill down on the fundamentals. The fundamentals include setting up appropriately for wind direction, maintaining concealment and mastering the use of an electronic call with a few go-to, high-quality sounds. A premium electronic call helps newbies, and hunters of all experience levels, to produce the most consistent calls. Available in the Google Play or Apple App Store, Convergent’s Predator Pro app features a sound library with the most reliable calls, from distress sounds to different bird noises. In addition, the app can be used to pair your smartphone with the Bullet HP calls wirelessly up to 300 feet away, with four presets to save your favorite calls.

Bullet HP Bluetooth Game Call Features: Read more