09. I am writing a business plan for a range. How do I calculate market potential?

This question is asked frequently.

The ideal way to calculate market potential (the number of recreational shooters in a specific area) is to conduct a custom participation survey. Since there is a high cost in doing that we rely on using statistical factors based on state-level participation. State level data is the lowest level participation numbers we have available and it is updated annually.

Using state-level numbers we can derive a factor that is simply multiplied by the population of any given market (i.e. the population of a county, zip code, or a 30-mile radius from an address). The best place to start is to run a Customized Market Report for your trade area (See Research pages for more details).

Example: Minnesota has a strong base of active sporting clay and trap/skeet shooters. The analysis below shows that the potential number shooters is extremely good for such a business venture but the owner will have to take into account traffic patterns, environmental issues, other ranges in the area and a whole lot of other variables. The NASR literature series can help you with that.

Minnesota:
173,000 active sporting clay shooters.
124,000 active trap / skeet shooters.

Anoka County:
10,840 potential sporting clay shooters.
7,652 potential trap / skeet shooters

Zip Code: 55421 (Minneapolis)
900 potential sporting clay shooters.
630 potential trap / skeet shooters

Our nationwide survey of ranges also includes may findings to help write a new business plan.

Average number of fields: (for ranges with outdoor shotgun facilities):
Trap only: 3.1 fields
Skeet only: 1.9 fields
Trap/skeet overlay: 2.5 fields
Sporting Clays: 12.9 stations

Average driving distance members/customers travel to get to facility: 33.1 miles

Approx. duration that a visitor will shoot at your facility: 2.6 hours

Average cost per round on a weekday (PUBLIC)
Trap / Skeet: $4.54

1. How much money is generated yearly from the sale of firearms & ammunition?
2. How many hunters are there in the U.S.?
3. How many individuals participate in target shooting ? (Skeet, Trap, Sporting Clays)
4. What is the economic impact of hunting on the U.S. economy?
5. How many women hunt in the U.S.?
6. How many women target shoot in the U.S.?
7. Where can I find a nearby shooting range?
8. What is the average age of hunters, target shooters and bowhunters?
9. I am writing a business plan for a range. How do I calculate market potential?
10. How many shot shells are consumed each year in the U.S.?
11. How much does an average bear hunter spend on equipment?
12. What research has been done on youth hunting?
13. I own a small shop. How can I compete with the large, mega store retailers?
14. How many people reload their shotgun shells?
15. Do you have any information on the paintball market?
16. What is the market share for camouflage apparel?
17. How does hunting compare with other popular sports as far as injuries?
18. What are excise taxes?
19. How big is the Airgun market?
20. How many people in the U.S. own handguns?
21. How many FFLS are there in my state?
22. What country has the greatest amount of imports / exports of firearms?
23. Where may I find statistics on firearms production for the U.S.?
24. Is one required to have a place of business to obtain a FFL?
25. I am looking for information on state sponsored Hunter Safety Course / Hunter Education Programs along with how well they have worked since implementation.