Women Outpace Men as New Hunters

SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI -More women than men took up hunting last year, according to new net figures from the National Sporting Goods Association.

 

While total hunters in the U.S. decreased slightly (.05 percent) between 2008 and 2009, the number of female hunters increased by 5.4 percent, netting 163,000 new participants. Growth areas for women included muzzleloading (up 134.6 percent), bowhunting (up 30.7 percent) and hunting with firearms (up 3.5 percent).

 

Data also show women outpaced men among net newcomers to target shooting with a rifle, where female participation grew by 4.1 percent.

 

New hunters and shooters are cause for celebration because more participation helps with funding for conservation, according to officials with National Hunting and Fishing Day. Congress established NHF Day, set for Sept. 25, 2010, to recognize America's sportsmen and women for their leading role in fish, wildlife and habitat conservation.