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New Report Shows Economic Impact of Sportsmen
What's the Story?
A ranking of states in categories including total number of hunters and anglers, spending by sportsmen, jobs supported, taxes generated, number of days spent hunting and fishing and the most traveled to states by hunters and anglers has been released for the first time. Nationally, Texas is at the top of the pack. It is No. 1 in total hunters and anglers, money spent, jobs supported and tax revenue generated. Florida lands the trophy for the No. 2 spot. The new state-by-state rankings were compiled to complement a national report, "Hunting and Fishing: Bright Stars of the American Economy ~ A force as big as all outdoors," released the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation with support from NSSF.
See where your state ranks online at:
www.nssf.org/07report
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Newcomers Finding More Opportunities to Hunt
FAMLIES AFIELD STATES
IN RED
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What's the Story?
The more we restrict youths from hunting, the more they don't bother hunting at all. That's the quick summary of research conducted for Families Afield, an initiative that is safely reducing legal barriers prohibiting fathers and mothers from hunting with their young sons and daughters. Families Afield is a partnership between NSSF, National Wild Turkey Federation and U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance. Since the launch in 2004, 21 states have lowered minimum age restrictions, softened hunter education course requirements, created apprentice hunting licenses and implemented other new laws to more hospitably welcome youths and other newcomers who'd like to try hunting.
 FAST FACT: Seven states that passed youth- and apprentice-friendly hunting laws between 2004 and 2006 saw increases in paid hunting license holders in 2006 -- Kansas, Minnesota, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee and Utah. |
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Youth Shooting League Eyes 10,000 Competitors
STATES WITH SCTP TEAMS
IN BLUE
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What's the Story?
What is the media saying about NSSF's fledgling Scholastic Clay Target Program? "One of the most positive things that's ever happened to the shooting sports." "An unprecedented surge of youth." "Thousands of responsible young people shining a positive light on guns and their use, rebuffing the argument that firearms are the problem, making the anti-gun crowd squirm." In 2007, nearly 10,000 students competed in SCTP trap, skeet and sporting clays. The program is awarding scholarships, feeding new talent into collegiate shooting programs and Olympic development camps, helping make trapshooting a varsity sport in public schools, and giving parents, who in surveys eagerly credit SCTP with honing their child's discipline, leadership and safety skills, new reasons to smile.
THE LITTLE LEAGUE OF SHOOTING SPORTS
 SCTP season kicks off in the spring, building toward national championships in trapshooting, skeet and sporting clays in August and international skeet and bunker trap in September. A selected few young shooters will attend an Olympic development camp each year. These competitors can make great feature stories. To learn more about SCTP in your area, contact your SCTP state directors. Visit SCTP online at www.nssf.org/sctp.
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Shooting Sports 101: Public Primers on Handgun, Shotgun, Rifle
What's the Story?
When it comes to learning about shooting and firearms ownership, not knowing how or where to start can be an intimidating hurdle for newcomers. That's why NSSF launched First Shots, a program used by local shooting range operators to offer classes for newcomers interested in learning about the shooting sports. Attendees learn about ownership responsibilities, state laws, safety rules, recreational opportunities and more. Classes are often free and include expert instruction in the classroom as well as on the range. They're also a chance to get a feel for different types of firearms. Surveys show that First Shots students, half of which are women, often become avid shooters as well as loyal customers of the hosting range. In 2008, the program will be held by ranges nationwide. Check for dates and locations in your area.
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Firearm Industry Helps States Recruit Hunters
RECIPIENT STATES, 2003-07
IN GREEN
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What's the Story?
NSSF's unique granting program has now provided funds to 34 state conservation agencies working to recruit more hunters. Through the Hunting Heritage Partnership program, seven states received grants in 2007. Since its launch in 2003, more than $2.1 million has been awarded for special marketing projects, advertising, youth and family hunts, access initiatives and more. Unusually flexible for a large granting program, HHP encourages states to pinpoint local barriers to hunting participation, and then develop specific solutions. Is your state participating? Why or why not?
 MOST RECENT GRANTS
Hunting Heritage Partnership grants were awarded in June to state agencies in Georgia, Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Washington and Wyoming. Stay tuned for new grants in 2008.
How have states benefited?  Play Video |
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HUNTANDSHOOT.ORG
This free, comprehensive online resource for new and experienced hunters and shooters offers directories of shooting ranges, places to hunt, taxidermists, state agencies, local news and information and more—all the information you need whether you're planning another adventure or getting started in hunting or shooting sports. |
