The US Fish and Wildlife Service has released some interesting statistics on the economic impact of hunting. Though there are fewer hunters, they are spending more on their sport. Key findings include the following:

Purchases made by hunters’ create a ripple effect benefiting many layers of the economy - with the total multiplier effect adding up to $66 billion. The latest numbers indicate that in 2006 14.6 million hunters purchased over 35.1 million licenses, tags, permits and license stamps contributing $753.5 million to State conservation funds. The average expenditure of all hunters combined is $1,932.79 The top 10% of avid hunters based on the number of days spent hunting spent an average of $4829.49. More than half, 57% of active hunters, typically make a purchase in a given year including hunting clothing, ammunition and other hunting accessories. The average age of hunters in the U.S. is 43.7.

 

Most State run conservation programs are funded directly with the proceeds from hunting licenses and permits. Though there are many different groups of environmentalists out there, most if any group other than hunters do not contribute in large part to State run conservation programs including land purchases and management of wildlife areas. So, you can thank hunters for helping to provide outdoor recreational areas that we can all enjoy.

 

 

Copied in part from The National Shooting Sports Foundation Indusrty Intelligence Reports Vol. 2 No. 9/2008

Nikon has come out with a new RifleHunter 550 yard laser rangefinder featuring the new ID (Incline/Decline) Technology. The advanced ID Technology compensates for various incline or decline shooting angles and provides the equivalent horizontal range to the target. You simply aim, push the button and plan the shot according to the displayed distance.  The Nikon RifleHunter gives up to a 550 yard range and displays in 2 yard/meter increments in ID Technology mode or 1/2 yard/meter increments in standard mode out to 99.5 yards with 1 yard/meter increments beyond 100 yards in either mode. The slim design is easy to use with one hand and measures only 5.1 x 2.7 x 1.5 inches and weighs only 6.3 ounces without the CR2 battery (included). The 6X optical magnification also makes it easier to spot your target. The Nikon RifleHunter Laser Rangefinder retails for $279.95 and can be purchased at Explore Products.

Article copied from National Shooting Sports Foundation Online News Vol. 9 No. 11.  Hunting (Equipment)  and shooting-related equipment has out-driven golf (equipment) in sales, according to data released by the National Sporting Goods Association. New statistics show that hunting gear and firearm sales topped $3.7 billion in 2006, up 4.1 percent from the previous year. Only exercise equipment performed better, with sales of $5.22 billion, according to NSGA’s most recent “Sporting Goods Market” report. Golf equipment, which claimed the No. 2 spot the previous year, fell into the third spot with $3.66 billion in sales. NSGA’s sales projection for 2007 shows golf equipment and hunting and shooting equipment again running neck-and-neck to claim the No. 2 spot, with exercise equipment remaining at No. 1. Included in the hunting- and shooting-related equipment category are firearms ($2.18 billion in 2006 sales), airguns ($224.1 million), ammunition ($977.1 million), knives ($51.8 million), paintball guns/packages ($220.9 million) and reloading equipment ($52.0 million).

The Scent Blocker Sportsmen’s Edge Vitamins by Robinson Labs - the manufacturer of Scent Blocker Hunting Clothing - have been proven to give hunters and sportsmen an edge when hunting or fishing. They are formulated by physicians to increase sportsmen’s performance. Clinical research by Elite Pros supports improved:
* Vision
* Hearing
* Concentration
* Resistance to cold
* Reduce altitude sickness
* Reduce body odor and more.

 We have a customer that swears they also reduce his color blindness!    A 2 tablet dose gives you: Vitamin A 10000 IU
Vitamin C 500 mg
Vitamin D 400 IU
Vitamin E 400 IU
Thiamin 33 mg
Riboflavin 30 mg
Vitamin B3 40 mg
Vitamin B6 30 mg
Folic Acid 800 mcg
Vitamin B12 100 mcg
Biotin 300 mg
Pantothenic Acid 5 mg
Calcium 100 mg
Iron 4 mg
Iodine 150 mcg
Magnesium 300 mg
Zinc 30 mg
Selenium 200 mcg
Copper 2 mg
Maganese 2 mg
Chromium 200 mcg
Molybdenium 75 mcg
Bilberry 45% Extract 200 mg
Korean Ginseng Extract 200 mg
Ginko Biloba Extract 120 mg
Chlorophyll 100 mg
N-Acetyl-Cyseine 50 mg
Grape Seed Extract 50 mg
Bioflavoncid 25% 40 mg
L Glutathione 25 mg
Lutein 6 mg
Beta Carotene 2500 IU. They also include Ginseng, Bilberry, Lutein, the complete Antioxidant Group and more! These make your daily multivitamin obsolete. The bottle contains 60 tablets - a one month supply - and retail for around $20. Explore Products sells them for $18.99 or 12 bottles - a one year supply - for $189.90.

Nikon has come out with a new binocular series - the Bill Jordan’s Realtree Outdoors binoculars! These compact binoculars fold down to just 3″ x 5″ and have center focusing for quick focusing at any distance. Of course they have Nikon’s No-Fault warranty - If you break them, and even if it is your fault, Nikon will fix or replace them for just $10. Compare this to other binocular manufacturers defect only warranty and you can quickly see the advantage.

 The Realtree Outdoors 10×25 binoculars have multicoated lenses, internal blackening to reduce glare and increase light transmission, and a long 13mm eye relief for eyeglass wearers.  They come in  REALTREE APG HD® camo and have a close focus distance of just 9.8 feet. These are an excellent binocular for the turkey hunter, bow hunter or rifle hunter since they are compact, lightweight, camo binocs with bright, clear images. They are available from Explore Products for $69.95.