What is the actual percentage(%) of Hunters versus Non- Hunters in the U.S.A. that do Hunt?* Your Opinion??

Question

Are Hunters a Minority and on the verge of extinction?* Is Wildlife truly outnumbered by too many Hunters hunting them?

Answer 1

"The NSSF estimates that there are 20.6 million active hunters in the United States. Active hunters are defined as having hunted more than once in the past year."
The US Fish and Wildlife Service says, "Five percent of the U.S. population 16 years old and older, 12.5 million people, hunted in 2006. They spent an average of 18 days pursuing their sport. The number of all hunters declined by 4% from 2001 to 2006 and there was a 3% drop in overall expenditures (not a statistically significant change)." "The National Rifle Association Fact Card uses 18 million as the number of hunters, and 20 million is often seen in sporting magazines." The glass is either half empty or half full depending on what study by which association conducted it to see if its declining or increasing. So with an average of about 20 million hunters versus a population of about 301 million you get a ratio of 1:15 or about 7%.

Answer 2

Percentages don't mean a thing. What you need is numbers. I can tell you that in Colorado we have twice as many hunters putting in for deer and elk tags than we have tags available. And as far as the new generation not hunting, balderdash. Our Hunter Safety program is strained to the seams trying to put on more and more classes. Right now classes are all full and you can hardly find a slot. Most classes in Colorado run 30 to 50 students and we fill them all. We are now having classes year round just to accommodate the record crowds.
Don't listen to those chicken little reports that the sky is falling. Hunting is alive and well. In 2001, 2002, 2003 Colorado had record hunting activity with over a half a million hunters in the field each of those years.
Sarge

Answer 3

I know I've seen several articles in the last while talking about how statistics show that the number of people who hunt has been dropping pretty steadily over the past few decades and continues to do so.

I guess it's probably mostly to do with a changing society and a more urban population.

People who live in rural areas are far more likely to go hunting than city folk. And the percentage of the population living in an urban setting keeps rising. Hunting was very popular back in the day, everyone liked to go hunting. People today I guess just don't see it as something enjoyable or necessary.

I'm a big fan of going to the range, but I never go hunting. It just isn't something that holds any appeal for me, I don't want to kill anything and eat it or mount its head on my wall.

Answer 4

From what I see, there's more hunter asking for tags than the states are handing out.

From the outrageous prices that I see landowners asking for hunting leases....they must not be hurting for hunters.

The states keep a good tab on populations. There is no shortage. Out here in the Southwest, we have had some drought the past decade, but it's over. No, not Global Warming! Now that the drought is over and rains have returned, the pops are jumping through the roof. So hopefully many more tags next year.

Hunting declining, maybe. But not for lack of hunters.

Answer 5

I think that people who do actually hunt are definately in the minority, maybe 15%. Fewer and fewer kids are hunting, but the boomers are getting into it more in the retirement years. After the boomers dies off though I imagine the actually number of hunters would drop. You can see the effect this is having in a lot of states where the deer population is exploding and their isn't enough hunters to keep them in check despite raising the bag limits and adding bow, blackpowder, and other special seasons.

Answer 6

100% of the hunters engage in hunting, versus 0% of non-hunters.

Answer 7

The populations are managed by hunting. Biologists determine how many animals may be harvested to keep the herd healthy.

I think that about 10% of U.S. citizens hunt.

Answer 8

What are you getting at? We have bag limits to make sure people don't hurt the total populations of animals. If you're saying we need to outlaw hunting you must be a fascist with a need to control others.

Answer 9

Everyone hunts, either in person or by proxie.

Which type are you?

Answer 10

how is that?