The number of hunters in the United States has been declining in recent years, according to data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The agency’s National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation found that the number of Americans who hunted decreased from 12.5 million in 2006 to 11.5 million in 2016.
There are a number of factors that may be contributing to this decline. One is that people are increasingly living in cities and suburbs, where there is less opportunity to hunt. Another is that the Baby Boomer generation, which made up a large proportion of hunters, is now aging out of the activity. And research has shown that young people today are less likely than previous generations to participate in outdoor activities like hunting.
Despite the decline in overall numbers, some states have actually seen an increase in hunting participation in recent years. This may be due to specific initiatives aimed at getting more people involved in hunting, such as mentorship programs or introductory courses for first-time hunters.
It’s also worth noting that even though the absolute number of hunters has declined, the total amount spent on hunting equipment and trips has remained relatively stable or even increased slightly over the past decade. This suggests that those who do hunt are becoming more dedicated to the activity and are willing to invest more money in it.