Understanding Activities That Compete With Hunting and Target Shooting

NSSF Report Understanding Activities that Compete with Hunting and Target Shooting
2011 Comprehensive Consumer Study National Shooting Sports Foundation
Full Report
Fun Outdoors Social

Responsive Management
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UNDERSTANDING ACTIVITIES THAT COMPETE WITH HUNTING AND TARGET SHOOTING

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CONDUCTED BY NATIONAL SHOOTING SPORTS FOUNDATION (NSSF) SOUTHWICK ASSOCIATES RESPONSIVE MANAGEMENT 2011
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Acknowledgments
Southwick Associates and Responsive Management would like to thank Jim Curcuruto and Melissa Schilling of the National Shooting Sports Foundation for their input, support, and guidance on this project.
Understanding Activities That Compete With Hunting and Target Shooting
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY This study was sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) to examine the activities that compete with hunting and target shootingin other words, to examine the things that people do when they do not go hunting or target shooting. This survey asked hunters and target shooters to name the activities that are drawing them away from hunting and target shooting, and it asked them about what attracts them to these alternatives. In short, this study will help the NSSF know its competition. Specifically, this research identified the activities that are competing with hunting and target shooting, the types of satisfactions hunters and target shooters are deriving from these activities, the benefits that encourage lapsed hunters and target shooters to return to hunting and target shooting, and how future marketing efforts can help overcome the factors driving hunters and target shooters to other activities. The study entailed two telephone surveys: one of hunters and one of target shooters. Each sample was stratified into active participants, intermittent participants, and ex-participants. Use of Telephones for the Surveys For the surveys, telephones were selected as the preferred sampling medium because of the almost universal ownership of telephones (both landlines and cell phones were called). Additionally, telephone surveys, relative to mail or Internet surveys, allow for more scientific sampling and data collection, provide higher quality data, obtain higher response rates, are more timely, and are more cost-effective. Telephone surveys also have fewer negative effects on the environment than do mail surveys because of reduced use of paper and reduced energy consumption for delivering and returning the questionnaires. Questionnaire Design The telephone survey questionnaires were developed cooperatively by Responsive Management, Southwick Associates, and the NSSF, based on the research teams familiarity with hunting and target shooting issues. Southwick Associates conducted an internal review of the questionnaires for their wording, and Responsive Management conducted pre-tests of the questionnaires to ensure proper wording, flow, and logic in the surveys. Survey Sample The study focused on six states representing a broad geographic spread, with a range of states from those with increasing trends of hunting license holders to those with decreasing trends of hunting license holders since 1990: Alabama, Colorado, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Washington. The sample of target shooters was taken from identified target shooters in a database of outdoor recreationists maintained by Responsive Management. Telephone Interviewing Facilities A central polling site at the Responsive Management office allowed for rigorous quality control over the interviews and data collection. Responsive Management maintains its own in-house telephone interviewing facilities. These facilities are staffed by interviewers with experience conducting computer-assisted telephone interviews on the subjects of outdoor recreation and natural resources.
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Interviewing Dates and Times Telephone surveying times are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday from noon to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., local time. The survey was conducted in January through April 2011. Telephone Survey Data Collection The software used for data collection was Questionnaire Programming Language. Responsive Management obtained a total of 2,228 completed interviews with hunters and 1,541 completed interviews with target shooters. Data Analysis The analysis of data was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences as well as proprietary software developed by Responsive Management and Southwick Associates. In the survey itself and in the data analysis, each respondent was categorized as being an active participant, an intermittent (or occasional) participant, or an ex-participant. The definitions were as follows: A hunter who hunted 2 of the past 2 years was considered an active hunter, regardless of whether he/she had hunted any of the 3 years previous to that. Also, a hunter who hunted only 1 of the past 2 years but hunted 4 of the past 5 years was considered an active hunter. o A hunter who hunted only 1 of the past 2 years was considered an intermittent hunter, with the exception of the above (hunted 1 of past 2, but also hunted 4 of the past 5 years). A hunter who did not hunt at all in the past 2 years was also considered an intermittent hunter if he/she had hunted all 3 of the years previous to that (i.e., 3 of the past 5 years). o Finally, a hunter who did not hunt at all in the past 2 years and hunted no more than 2 of the past 5 years was considered an ex-hunter.
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A target shooter who went target shooting all 5 of the past 5 years was considered an active target shooter. o A target shooter who went target shooting 2 of the past 2 years but not all 5 of the past 5 years was considered an intermittent target shooter. Additionally, a target shooter who went target shooting 1 of the past 2 years, regardless of whether he/she went target shooting in the 3 years previous to that, was also considered an intermittent shooter. Finally, a target shooter who did not go target shooting at all in the past 2 years but went target shooting 3 of the past 5 years was considered an intermittent target shooter. o Finally, a target shooter who did not target shoot at all in the past 2 years and went target shooting no more than 2 of the past 5 years was considered an ex-target shooter.
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During the analysis, two approaches were used to assign hunters into the categories above. First was to assign them based on their reported rates of participation. The second approach assigned them based on the years that they purchased hunting licenses in a particular state, according to the data in the database. While both approaches have plusses and minuses, after all analyses were complete, the findings and data interpretations were congruent in both approaches, lending additional credence to all results.
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Types of Questions in the Survey In examining the results, it is important to be aware that the questionnaire included several types of questions: Open-ended questions are those in which no answer set is read to the respondents; rather, they can respond with anything that comes to mind from the question. Close-ended questions have a response set from which to choose. Some questions allow only a single response, while other questions allow respondents to give more than one response or choose all that apply. Those that allow more than a single response are indicated on the graphs with the label, Multiple Responses Allowed. IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The findings point to many strategies that can be undertaken in the overall effort to recruit and retain hunters and target shooters in those sports. Many of the strategies aim at very specific markets, while other strategies are more broad. Note that, because there are many different target markets within the overall population, no one single strategy will suffice for all people, issues, or needs. The implications will be examined within the five major topic areas defined by the chapter titles. These include the following: Participation in Outdoor Activities, Including Hunting and Target Shooting Specific Aspects of Participation in Hunting and Target Shooting Motivations for Participating in Activities, Satisfactions Derived From Them, and Reasons for Increased Avidity o Constraints to Participating in Activities, Dissatisfactions With Activities, and Reasons for Decreased Avidity o Activities That Compete With Hunting and Target Shooting
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While this implications section examines many of the major issues, it is important that all professionals involved in recruitment and retention should consult all the data contained herein. There are many nuances of the data that may not be mentioned in this section. Participation in Outdoor Activities, Including Hunting and Target Shooting The surveys asked all respondents to name their top three outdoor activities, and the questions were open-ended, meaning that no response set was read to respondents. In each survey, this question preceded any questions about hunting or target shooting so as to not bias the results, allowing an accurate look at the activities in which sportsmen and sportswomen participate. What is immediately clear is that nature-based outdoor recreation is of great importance to these respondents. For both groups, hunters and target shooters, the top four activities are nature-based: fishing, hunting, hiking, and camping. For both the hunters and the target shooters who were surveyed, their top activities are fishing and hunting. Fishing was named by a majority of hunters and target shooters, and hunting was named by a near-majority of hunters and a majority of target shooters.
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Responsive Management A second tier of activities consists of hiking and camping. In both the hunter and shooter survey results, hiking and camping were named by substantially more respondents than the next activity in the ranking. Furthermore, many of the lesser activities are nature based: o Activities named by respondents include gardening/landscaping, visiting a state or national park, wildlife viewing/wildlife photography, cutting/splitting firewood and forestry work, SCUBA diving, rock/mountain climbing, trapping, crabbing/clam digging, and wild harvesting (e.g., mushrooms) While certainly some amount of hunting and target shooting participation is lost to hiking and camping, it may be that many of these intermittent and ex-hunters and target shooters were hiking and camping all along. Nonetheless, the data suggest that other outdoor recreationists, particularly anglers, constitute a quite important target market.
The findings described above suggest that the act of hunting or target shooting itself may not be the primary goal for many participants. Hunting and target shooting may be a means to enjoy and experience nature. If true, then hunting and target shooting could be easily substitutable with other activities that also provide benefits associated with being outdoors and close to nature. Factors that detract from hunting and target shooting or make it more costly or complicated are likely to encourage some hunters and target shooters to increase time spent in other outdoor pursuits. One marketing strategy is to market hunting and target shooting as part of a total outdoor experience. The total outdoor experience is a potential campaign theme, or part of one. Identify and stress the unique selling points of hunting and target shooting. While part of a total outdoor experience, there are unique aspects of and satisfactions derived from hunting and target shooting that differentiate them from the other outdoor activities. The lack of hunting and target shooting, with their unique selling points, would leave out a couple of the pieces of the total outdoor experience. Also of moderate importance as a competing activity is boating, as well as snow sports and golfing. Note that participation levels in these activities, however, is not high. The data does not support the contention that hunters and target shooters are leaving hunting and target shooting in droves in favor of these other activities. The surveys explored another aspect of participation in outdoor recreation, asking respondents about the types of hunting and target shooting that they would like to try. Of foremost interest is that a majority of hunters and target shooters indicate no interest in trying hunting/target shooting outside of their regular hunting and target shooting activities. This leaves no more than about 2 in 5 participants indicating interest in other types of activities within their sport. In general, many of the hunters who wanted to try a different type of hunting named a different species from their typical game. o For instance, elk is a top interest, which is certainly out of the realm of most hunters typical experience. Other types of hunting named included hunting for such things as moose, boar, bighorn sheep, antelope, caribou, cougar, alligator, and wolf.
In general, target shooters named various other types of shooting that they would like to try rather than naming different types of firearms. In a finding that may be counter to the prevailing perception of target shooters among some non-shooters, the survey did not find that shooters simply wished to shoot bigger and more powerful firearms; rather, they showed interest in different types of target shooting.
Note that changes in participation tend to be subtle. One does not go from being an active hunter to an ex-hunter in a single dayone doesnt simply wake up and declare that he/she is quitting hunting. Rather, the changes in participation level are gradual, not typically triggered by a single event or by the sudden discovery of another type of outdoor recreation. Specific Aspects of Participation in Hunting and Target Shooting This section explores some aspects of hunting and target shooting trips, including likely companions. These questions pertain to the decision-making process when hunters and target shooters decide whether to go hunting or target shooting. The first aspect explored in this section is hunting and target shooting companions. Both surveys asked respondents about the amount of time that they hunt and target shoot with others and the amount of time that they hunt and target shoot alone. Clearly, these activities are predominantly done in groups rather than alone. Very low percentages always hunt/target shoot alone. A majority of each group always go hunting/target shooting with a companion. Overall, hunting and target shooting are, for most participants, social activities, suggesting that other outdoor activities that can be shared with others could likely draw hunters and target shooters away from those sports. Efforts to encourage hunters and target shooters to invite friends along, such as Step Outside, are important. The next question concerns with whom these people engage in these activities. For both activities, family plays an important role (more so with hunting than target shooting): a large majority of hunters who hunt at least some of the time with somebody else typically hunt with a family member (not exclusive of also having a friend along), and a slightly smaller majority of target shooters who shoot at least some of the time with somebody else typically target shoot with a family member. This is not to say that friends are not important, as a near-majority of hunters who hunt with others and a solid majority of target shooters who shoot with others named friends as typical companions. Another aspect related to planning of hunting and target shooting trips is how far ahead people plan trips. Spontaneity is important to target shooting and, to a lesser extent, hunting. Less than a third of hunters plan their hunting trips more than a month ahead of time. Additionally, about a third say that all of their trips are planned with less than 2 weeks notice. Among target shooters, less than 1 in 10 plan their target shooting excursions more than a month ahead of time. Also, a majority of target shooters say that all of their trips are planned with less than 2 weeks notice.
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Motivations for Participating in Activities, Satisfactions Derived From Them, and Reasons for Increased Avidity It is important to not forget the fun part of hunting and target shooting. This is the top motivation for hunting and target shooting. For hunters, being close to nature is an important motivation, as is getting meat. When asked about why they hunt, more than a quarter of hunters gave an answer related to being outdoors or being close to nature. Although other studies have found that hunting for the meat is not a primary reason for hunting among many hunters when they are asked to choose their single primary reason for hunting, the motivation of hunting for meat is, nonetheless, important. In an openended question asking about motivations for hunting that allowed for more than one response, hunting for meat was named by nearly a quarter of hunters. For target shooters, increasing skills is an important motivation for going target shooting. This includes increasing skills related to hunting. A substantial percentage of target shooters mentioned hunting in their answer regarding reasons that they go target shooting (in an open-ended question in which respondents can say anything that comes to mind). Finally, for both hunters and target shooters, camaraderie is an important motivation for participating in hunting and target shooting. Related to this is the fact that being asked to go hunting or target shooting can increase ones interest in the activities, as well as increase the likelihood that he/she will go. Marketing and advertising should stress the social aspects of hunting and target shooting. Efforts to encourage hunters and target shooters to invite friends and family are as important as ever. Programs such as Step Outside that focus on this very theme are important. Compared to rural and urban hunters, suburban hunters appear to be more influenced by friends and family members: of the three groups, suburban hunters were more likely to say that being with friends and family is a motivation for hunting. Marketing the friends and family aspects of hunting should be effective among suburban hunters. There is some evidence that multiple satisfactions promote avidity. In other words, a person who tries only one type of hunting and does not like that one type will desert the sport. Another person who tries multiple types of hunting will be less likely to desert the sport simply because one type was not well liked. The satisfactions that the latter person seeks may be provided by some other type of hunting, if the first did not do so. Therefore, it is important to address many motivations in overall recruitment and retention efforts rather than focusing too much on one motivation at the expense of other motivations. In short, encourage hunters and target shooters to diversify when at all possible. While specialization has its place in hunting and target shooting, particularly for advanced hunters and shooters, too much early specialization to the exclusion of other types hunting and shooting in recruitment efforts may not be effective and risks losing the person if that one specialized type of hunting or target shooting is not to his/her liking. There are obviously cross-marketing (between hunting and target shooting) opportunities, particularly to get hunters to go shooting outside of hunting. In particular, for hunters
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who are leaving the sport because of age, target shooting activities may be the next natural activity to engage their interest. Efforts to guide older hunters to target shooting activities that are less physically demanding than hunting may increase target shooting participation. Recruitment of young hunters and target shooters is important, as evidence suggests that more avid hunters and target shooters are those who started at a younger age than did the less avid (the mean starting age is higher for ex-participants than for intermittent or active participants). It appears that hunters and target shooters who started at a young age derive more satisfactions from hunting and target shooting, compared to those who started later in lifein other words, some satisfactions become ingrained. Many hunters, for instance, responded that a motivation for hunting is traditionthat their father and their grandfather did it. Some responded with, Ive always done it, as the reason that they go hunting or target shooting. Apprentice licenses are important to allow young people to try hunting at an early age, perhaps even before requiring them to take hunter safety courses. (Those courses would still be required to get a regular license; such an exception would apply only to apprentice licenses.) Constraints to Participating in Activities, Dissatisfactions With Activities, and Reasons for Decreased Avidity Social constraints are of the most importance, rather than losing interest in hunting or target shooting as well as rather than because other activities seem more interesting. Those who did not participate in all of the past 5 years were asked about constraints. More than a third of hunters who do not hunt every year cite time constraints/other obligations as a reason for not hunting in some years. More than a quarter of target shooters who do not target shoot every year cite time constraints/other obligations as a reason for not target shooting in some years. One strategy aimed at the time issue is to encourage hunters and target shooters to put their plans to hunt or target shoot on the calendar. In other words, encourage them to make hunting and target shooting a structured activityparticularly before another activity claims their attention and time. In a busy persons life, things that are on the calendar are more likely to be done; things not on a calendar easily fall by the wayside. For both groups, age/health reasons cut into potential participationthe second-ranked item in both surveys on this question. Consider alternative forms of participation for hunters and target shooters who are older or not in optimum health, such as mentoring, to keep them involved. In short, because hunting and target shooting are often social activitiesmost hunting and target shooting is done in groupsthey are also prone to social constraints. One of the top non-social constraints, and a constraint over which agencies and industry may have more control than those cited above, is access. This is a constraint in both hunting and target shooting. The non-social constraint of access is of much less importance than the social constraint of time (in both cases, time constraints was named over access by about 5 to 1);
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Responsive Management however, keep in mind that there is some amount of correlation between access and time. The research suggested that ex-target shooters typically had to travel farther to go target shooting (when they went target shooting in the past) than do active target shooters (when they go shooting now). In answer to how long it takes them to get to where they typically shoot, the mean amount of time was higher among ex-target shooters than among active target shooters. This suggests that more distant access (measured in minutes) is correlated to a higher drop-out rate in target shooting. (An analogous question was not asked in the hunter survey because of concerns over survey length, but one would intuitively conjecture that time to get to a hunting area may also be correlated to participation in hunting.) o Although access was not one of the top constraints, as noted, it is a constraint over which agencies and industry have considerable influence. It is important to provide potential hunters nearby places to hunt and target shooters nearby places to target shoot. If time is a constraint, then a shorter time to get to a place to hunt or target shoot will help boost participation. (Assuming those nearby places are publicized.) o Promote under-utilized hunting and target shooting areas. One way to do this is to connect private landowners with interested hunters through lease arrangements, walk-in access, and so forth. o Promote types of hunting with seasons that are relatively long, particularly relative to deer season, which is the season with which most hunters are most familiar. o The findings of a previous NSSF-sponsored study, Issues Related to Hunting Access in the United States: National Results, have important findings to help address access.
Activities That Compete With Hunting and Target Shooting The greatest competition to hunting and target shooting are other outdoor activities, particularly nature-based activities, such as fishing, camping, and hiking. Fishing in particular is an activity that competes with hunting and target shooting. When asked to name the three outdoor activities in which they participate the most, respondents named fishing quite often. Clearly, anglers are very important in marketing hunting and target shooting. However, that seeming competition can be used in the total outdoor experience, with those activities complementing each other instead of competing. Crossover participation between hunting and target shooting remains important. An important market segment for hunting consists of target shooters. Likewise, an important market segment for target shooting consists of hunters. This latter market segment is particularly important, as it seems likely that many hunters could be encouraged to go shooting outside of hunting on a regular basis, especially older hunters for whom hunting may be too strenuous. Events that combine these activities should do well, encouraging more crossover participation. While golfing had some participation that may have taken away from hunting and target shooting, golfing was not taking vast numbers of hunters and target shooters away from hunting and target shooting. Furthermore, the data suggested that some of those who now prefer golf over hunting and target shooting are doing so because of age/health reasons: in short, golfing may be less
Understanding Activities That Compete With Hunting and Target Shooting strenuous for many people. As stated previously, these people are a good market segment for target shooting, an activity that may be less strenuous for some people.
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Hunting and target shooting compete with more than just other activities. Hunting and target shooting also compete against the benefits that those other activities provide relative to hunting and target shooting, particularly if those benefits address social constraints. Therefore, other activities that are less constraining in certain areas will compete well against hunting and target shooting. For instance, because time constraints are a problem to hunters and target shooters, other activities that take less time will have an advantage over hunting and target shooting. The biggest constraints and the activities that would take advantage of them are listed below: Time constraints. Fortunately for hunting and target shooting, many of the other activities in which respondents participate take much time: camping, hiking, boating, golfing, and snow sports all are time-consuming. Nonetheless, activities that are generally less time-consuming offer some competition to hunting and target shooting, such as fitness exercises, gardening, swimming, and fields sports, for instance. Family-related constraints. Activities that involve the whole family may offer some competition to hunting and target shooting: camping, hiking, boating, snow sports, and swimming, for instance.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1: Introduction and Methodology......................................................................................1 Use of Telephones for the Surveys..........................................................................................1 Questionnaire Design ..............................................................................................................1 Survey Sample.........................................................................................................................2 Telephone Interviewing Facilities ...........................................................................................2 Interviewing Dates and Times.................................................................................................3 Telephone Survey Data Collection and Quality Control.........................................................3 Data Analysis...........................................................................................................................3 Notes on Reading the Report...................................................................................................6 Chapter 2: Participation in Outdoor Activities, Including Hunting and Target Shooting ..............8 Chapter 3: Specific Aspects of Participation in Hunting and Target Shooting ............................28 Chapter 4: Motivations for Participating in Activities, Satisfactions Derived From Them, and Reasons for Increased Avidity...............................................................................38 Chapter 5: Constraints to Participating in Activities, Dissatisfactions With Activities, and Reasons for Decreased Avidity.........................................................................................82 Chapter 6: Activities That Compete With Hunting and Target Shooting...................................107 Chapter 7: Implications of the Findings......................................................................................131 Participation in Outdoor Activities, Including Hunting and Target Shooting.....................131 Specific Aspects of Participation in Hunting and Target Shooting.....................................133 Motivations for Participating in Activities, Satisfactions Derived From Them, and Reasons for Increased Avidity.......................................................................................133 Constraints to Participating in Activities, Dissatisfactions With Activities, and Reasons for Decreased Avidity .....................................................................................135 Activities That Compete With Hunting and Target Shooting .............................................136 Appendix A: Survey Questionnaires ..........................................................................................138 NSSF Shooting/Hunting Competition Survey: Hunter Survey ..........................................139 NSSF Shooting/Hunting Competition Survey: Shooter Survey.........................................144 Analogous Questions in Hunter and Shooter Survey ..........................................................150
LIST OF TABLES Table 1.1. Responses to Questions and Resulting Categories ........................................................4 Table 4.1. Table 4.2. Table 4.3. Table 4.4. Table 4.5. Table 4.6. Table 4.7. Table 4.8. Things to Encourage Hunting Among All Hunters .....................................................52 Things to Encourage Hunting Among Active Hunters................................................53 Things to Encourage Hunting Among Intermittent Hunters .......................................54 Things to Encourage Hunting Among Ex-Hunters......................................................55 Things to Encourage Target Shooting Among All Target Shooters............................59 Things to Encourage Target Shooting Among Active Target Shooters ......................60 Things to Encourage Target Shooting Among Intermittent Target Shooters..............61 Things to Encourage Target Shooting Among Ex-Target Shooters ............................62
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)

LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1.1. States Included in Study ...............................................................................................2 Figure 2.1. Top Activities of Hunters .............................................................................................9 Figure 2.2. Top Activities of Target Shooters ..............................................................................11 Figure 2.3. Primary Activities of Hunters Crosstabulated by Participation Status.......................13 Figure 2.4. Primary Activities of Target Shooters Crosstabulated by Participation Status..........14 Figure 2.5. Other Hunting Activities of Interest to Hunters .........................................................16 Figure 2.6. Other Target Shooting Activities of Interest to Target Shooters................................18 Figure 2.7. Interest in Other Types of Hunting Crosstabulated by Participation Status...............20 Figure 2.8. Other Hunting Activities of Interest to Hunters Crosstabulated by Participation Status ..................................................................................................................21 Figure 2.9. Other Target Shooting Activities of Interest to Target Shooters Crosstabulated by Participation Status.....................................................................................22 Figure 2.10. Target Shooters Favorite Types of Target Shooting ...............................................23 Figure 2.11. Types of Target Shooting in Which Target Shooters Most Often Engage...............24 Figure 2.12. Crossover Participation in Target Shooting and Hunting Among Hunters and Target Shooters ........................................................................................................................25 Figure 2.13. Crossover Participation in Target Shooting and Hunting Among Hunters and Target Shooters, Crosstabulated by Participation Status .........................................................26 Figure 2.14. Self-Identification as Hunters or Target Shooters Among Those Who Do Both.....27 Figure 2.15. Self-Identification as Hunters/Target Shooters Crosstabulated by Participation Status ..................................................................................................................27 Figure 3.1. Percentage of Time That Respondents Hunt or Target Shoot Alone .........................28 Figure 3.2. Percentage of Time That Respondents Hunt or Target Shoot Alone Crosstabulated by Participation Status.....................................................................................29 Figure 3.3. Typical Hunting Companions.....................................................................................30 Figure 3.4. Typical Target Shooting Companions........................................................................31 Figure 3.5. Planning Time for Hunting and Target Shooting Trips..............................................32 Figure 3.6. Planning Time for Hunting Trips, Crosstabulated by Participation Status ................33 Figure 3.7. Planning Time for Target Shooting Trips, Crosstabulated by Participation Status ...34 Figure 3.8. Percentage of Trips Planned Less Than 2 Weeks Ahead of Time .............................35 Figure 3.9. Percentage of Hunting Trips Planned Less Than 2 Weeks Ahead of Time, Crosstabulated by Participation Status ..........................................................................36 Figure 3.10. Percentage of Target Shooting Trips Planned Less Than 2 Weeks Ahead of Time, Crosstabulated by Participation Status ..........................................................................37 Figure 4.1. Most Important Reasons for Hunting .........................................................................38 Figure 4.2. Most Important Reasons for Target Shooting ............................................................39 Figure 4.3. Most Important Reasons for Hunting Crosstabulated by Participation Status ...........40 Figure 4.4. Most Important Reasons for Target Shooting Crosstabulated by Participation Status ..................................................................................................................41 Figure 4.5. Reasons That Hunting Participation Increased...........................................................42
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LIST OF FIGURES (continued) Figure 4.6. Reasons That Target Shooting Participation Increased..............................................43 Figure 4.7. Reasons That Hunting Participation Increased Crosstabulated by Participation Status ..................................................................................................................44 Figure 4.8. Reasons That Target Shooting Participation Increased Crosstabulated by Participation Status ..................................................................................................................45 Figure 4.9. Advantages of Hunting and Target Shooting With Others ........................................46 Figure 4.10. Advantages of Hunting With Others, Crosstabulated by Participation Status .........47 Figure 4.11. Advantages of Hunting With Others, Crosstabulated by Participation Status .........48 Figure 4.12. How Often Respondents Are Invited to Go Hunting or Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status.....................................................................................49 Figure 4.13. Percentage of Invitations to Go Hunting That Are Accepted, Crosstabulated by Participation Status.....................................................................................50 Figure 4.14. Percentage of Invitations to Go Target Shooting That Are Accepted, Crosstabulated by Participation Status.....................................................................................51 Figure 4.15. Items That Would Encourage Hunting Crosstabulated by Participation Status, Entire Series at a Glance ..............................................................................................56 Figure 4.16. Items That Would Encourage Target Shooting Crosstabulated by Participation Status, Entire Series at a Glance ..............................................................................................63 Figure 4.17. Advantages Other Activities Have Over Hunting ....................................................66 Figure 4.18. Advantages Other Activities Have Over Hunting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status ..................................................................................................................67 Figure 4.19. Advantages Other Activities Have Over Target Shooting .......................................68 Figure 4.20. Advantages Other Activities Have Over Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status ..................................................................................................................69 Figure 4.21. Reasons Other Activities Won Out Over Hunting ...................................................70 Figure 4.22. Reasons Other Activities Won Out Over Hunting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status ..................................................................................................................72 Figure 4.23. Reasons Other Activities Won Out Over Target Shooting ......................................74 Figure 4.24. Reasons Other Activities Won Out Over Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status ..................................................................................................................75 Figure 4.25. Reasons Other Activities May Be Preferred Over Hunting .....................................78 Figure 4.26. Reasons Other Activities May Be Preferred Over Hunting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status.....................................................................................79 Figure 4.27. Reasons Other Activities May Be Preferred Over Target Shooting.........................80 Figure 4.28. Reasons Other Activities May Be Preferred Over Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status.....................................................................................81 Figure 5.1. Perceived Hassles Associated With Hunting .............................................................83 Figure 5.2. Perceived Hassles Associated With Hunting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status ..................................................................................................................84 Figure 5.3. Perceived Hassles Associated With Target Shooting.................................................86 Figure 5.4. Perceived Hassles Associated With Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status ..................................................................................................................87
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LIST OF FIGURES (continued) Figure 5.5. Reasons for Not Hunting All 5 of the Past 5 Years....................................................88 Figure 5.6. Reasons for Not Hunting All 5 of the Past 5 Years, Crosstabulated by Participation Status ..................................................................................................................89 Figure 5.7. Reasons for Not Target Shooting All 5 of the Past 5 Years.......................................90 Figure 5.8. Reasons for Not Target Shooting All 5 of the Past 5 Years, Crosstabulated by Participation Status ..................................................................................................................91 Figure 5.9. Reasons for Participation Decreases in Hunting ........................................................92 Figure 5.10. Reasons for Participation Decreases in Hunting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status ..................................................................................................................93 Figure 5.11. Reasons for Participation Decreases in Target Shooting .........................................94 Figure 5.12. Reasons for Participation Decreases in Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status ..................................................................................................................95 Figure 5.13. Reasons That Hunting Is Not a Top Activity ...........................................................96 Figure 5.14. Reasons That Hunting Is Not a Top Activity, Crosstabulated by Participation Status ..................................................................................................................97 Figure 5.15. Reasons That Target Shooting Is Not a Top Activity ..............................................98 Figure 5.16. Reasons That Target Shooting Is Not a Top Activity, Crosstabulated by Participation Status ..................................................................................................................99 Figure 5.17. Possible Reasons Why Hunters Might Participate in Other Activities ..................101 Figure 5.18. Possible Reasons Why Hunters Might Participate in Other Activities, Crosstabulated by Participation Status...................................................................................102 Figure 5.19. Possible Reasons Why Target Shooters Might Participate in Other Activities......103 Figure 5.20. Possible Reasons Why Target Shooters Might Participate in Other Activities, Crosstabulated by Participation Status...................................................................................104 Figure 5.21. Non-Recreational Activities Taking Time Away From Hunting and Target Shooting......................................................................................................................105 Figure 5.22. Non-Recreational Activities Taking Time Away From Hunting and Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status.......................................................106 Figure 6.1. Recreational Activities Taking Time Away From Hunting and Target Shooting....107 Figure 6.2. Recreational Activities Taking Time Away From Hunting and Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status...................................................................................108 Figure 6.3. The Recreational Activities That Took Time Away From Hunting.........................109 Figure 6.4. The Recreational Activities That Took Time Away From Hunting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status...................................................................................111 Figure 6.5. The Recreational Activities That Took Time Away From Target Shooting............113 Figure 6.6. The Recreational Activities That Took Time Away From Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status...................................................................................115 Figure 6.7. Whether Another Activity Became More Interesting to Respondent Than Hunting or Target Shooting ...................................................................................................117 Figure 6.8. Whether Another Activity Became More Interesting to Respondent Than Hunting or Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status ....................................118 Figure 6.9. The Recreational Activities That Became More Interesting Than Hunting.............119
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LIST OF FIGURES (continued) Figure 6.10. The Recreational Activities That Became More Interesting Than Hunting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status...................................................................................121 Figure 6.11. The Recreational Activities That Became More Interesting Than Target Shooting......................................................................................................................123 Figure 6.12. The Recreational Activities That Became More Interesting Than Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status.......................................................125 Figure 6.13. The Non-Recreational Activities That Took Time Away From Hunting ..............127 Figure 6.14. The Non-Recreational Activities That Took Time Away From Hunting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status...................................................................................128 Figure 6.15. The Non-Recreational Activities That Took Time Away From Target Shooting......................................................................................................................129 Figure 6.16. The Non-Recreational Activities That Took Time Away From Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status.......................................................130
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION AND METHODOLOGY

This study was sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) to examine the activities that compete with hunting and target shootingin other words, to examine the things that people do when they do not go hunting or target shooting. This survey asked hunters and target shooters to name the activities that are drawing them away from hunting and target shooting, and it asked them about what attracts them to these alternatives. In short, this study will help the NSSF know its competition. Specifically, this research identified the activities that are competing with hunting and target shooting, the types of satisfactions hunters and target shooters are deriving from these activities, the benefits that encourage lapsed hunters and target shooters to return to hunting and target shooting, and how future marketing efforts can help overcome the factors driving hunters and target shooters to other activities. The study entailed two telephone surveys: one of hunters and one of target shooters. Each sample was stratified into active participants, intermittent participants, and ex-participants. Specific aspects of the research methodology are discussed below. USE OF TELEPHONES FOR THE SURVEYS For the surveys, telephones were selected as the preferred sampling medium because of the almost universal ownership of telephones (both landlines and cell phones were called). Additionally, telephone surveys, relative to mail or Internet surveys, allow for more scientific sampling and data collection, provide higher quality data, obtain higher response rates, are more timely, and are more cost-effective. Telephone surveys also have fewer negative effects on the environment than do mail surveys because of reduced use of paper and reduced energy consumption for delivering and returning the questionnaires. QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGN The telephone survey questionnaires were developed cooperatively by Responsive Management, Southwick Associates, and the NSSF, based on the research teams familiarity with hunting and shooting issues. Southwick Associates conducted an internal review of the questionnaires for their wording, and Responsive Management conducted pre-tests of the questionnaires to ensure proper wording, flow, and logic in the surveys. The questionnaires are shown in Appendix A. The survey automatically moved respondents to the correct questions based on the respondents answers to several questions. For instance, only those who indicated that their level of participation increased were asked why it had increased. In addition, some questions had slightly different wording among respondents, based on their level of participation in hunting and target shooting. For instance, the wording is slightly different on some questions for those who participated in the past 5 years versus those who participated ever but not in the past 5 years. An example of this is the question regarding species hunted. The question is coded as Which species did you hunt in the past {5 years / when youve gone hunting}? The particular wording the respondent got depended on whether he had participated in the past 5 years or not. These wording differences were automatically coded into the survey and were triggered by the respondents answers to specific questions.
SURVEY SAMPLE The study focused on six states, chosen to include a broad geographic spread, as shown in Figure 1.1, as well as to include a range of states from those with increasing trends of hunting license holders to those with decreasing trends of hunting license holders since 1990. The states included in the study are Alabama, Colorado, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Washington. The sample of target shooters was taken from identified target shooters in a database of outdoor recreationists maintained by Responsive Management.
Figure 1.1. States Included in Study As previously mentioned, both samples had three categories of respondents: active, intermittent, and ex-participants. These categories were defined based on the respondents participation in the activities in the past 5 years, as stated in the survey in answer to a series of questions. The survey attempted to get a sufficient size sample in each of these categories rather than to obtain a sample in the actual proportions of those categories. The specific parameters used to define these categories is discussed in detail in a section later in this chapter, Data Analysis. TELEPHONE INTERVIEWING FACILITIES A central polling site at the Responsive Management office allowed for rigorous quality control over the interviews and data collection. Responsive Management maintains its own in-house telephone interviewing facilities. These facilities are staffed by interviewers with experience conducting computer-assisted telephone interviews on the subjects of outdoor recreation and natural resources. To ensure the integrity of the telephone survey data, Responsive Management has interviewers who have been trained according to the standards established by the Council of American Survey Research Organizations. Methods of instruction included lecture and role-playing. The Survey Center Managers and other professional staff conducted a project briefing with the interviewers prior to the administration of these surveys. Interviewers were instructed on type of study, study goals and objectives, handling of survey questions, interview length, termination points and qualifiers for participation, interviewer instructions within the survey questionnaires, reading of the survey questions, skip patterns, and probing and clarifying techniques necessary for specific questions on the survey questionnaires.
Understanding Activities That Compete With Hunting and Target Shooting INTERVIEWING DATES AND TIMES Telephone surveying times are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday from noon to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., local time. A five-callback design was used to maintain the representativeness of the sample, to avoid bias toward people easy to reach by telephone, and to provide an equal opportunity for all to participate. When a respondent could not be reached on the first call, subsequent calls were placed on different days of the week and at different times of the day. The surveys were conducted in January through April 2011.
TELEPHONE SURVEY DATA COLLECTION AND QUALITY CONTROL The software used for data collection was Questionnaire Programming Language (QPL). The survey data were entered into the computer as each interview was being conducted, eliminating manual data entry after the completion of the survey and the concomitant data entry errors that may occur with manual data entry. The survey questionnaire was programmed so that QPL branched, coded, and substituted phrases in the survey based on previous responses to ensure the integrity and consistency of the data collection. The Survey Center Managers and statisticians monitored the data collection, including monitoring of the actual telephone interviews without the interviewers knowledge, to evaluate the performance of each interviewer and ensure the integrity of the data. The survey questionnaire itself contains error checkers and computation statements to ensure quality and consistent data. After the surveys were obtained by the interviewers, the Survey Center Managers and/or statisticians checked each completed survey to ensure clarity and completeness. Responsive Management obtained a total of 2,228 completed interviews with hunters and 1,541 completed interviews with target shooters. DATA ANALYSIS The analysis of data was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences as well as proprietary software developed by Responsive Management and Southwick Associates. In the survey itself and in the data analysis, each respondent was categorized as being an active participant, an intermittent participant, or an ex-participant. The categorization depended on respondents answers to several questions (or to their license buying data in the database from which the sample was pulledas noted by the asterisk in Table 1.1): whether they had participated in the sport in the past 2 years, in the past 5 years, or ever, as well as the number of years of the past 2 that they had participated and the number of years of the past 5 that they had participated. The possible combinations of responses and the resulting categories are shown in Table 1.1 on the following page.
4 Table 1.1. Responses to Questions and Resulting Categories
Results Categories Number of years in the past 2 and Categories* Categories the past 5 (for hunting (for shooting that survey) survey) respondent hunted / went target Possible responses: Possible responses: Possible responses: shooting. 2 of past 2; Active Active 5 years 5 of the past 5 2 of past 2; Active Intermittent 4 years 4 of the past 5 2 years 2 of past 2; 3 years Active Intermittent 3 of the past 5 2 of past 2; Active Intermittent 2 years 2 of the past 5 In past 2 years 1 of past 2; 4 years Active Intermittent 4 of the past 5 1 of past 2; 3 years Intermittent Intermittent 3 of the past 5 1 year 1 of past 2; Intermittent Intermittent 2 years 2 of the past 5 1 of past 2; 1 year Intermittent Intermittent 1 of the past 5 0 of the past 2; 3 years Intermittent Ex 3 of the past 5 (These In past 5 years, 0 of the past 2; respondents skip Ex Ex 2 years but not past 2 2 of the past 5 this question.) 0 of the past 2; 1 year Ex Ex 1 of the past 5 Ever, but not in (These respondents skip these 0 of the past 2; Ex Ex past 5 years questions.) 0 of the past 5 *Another analysis used these same criteria regarding years of participation, but based the categorization on the license database rather than responses to the survey.
1st Question 2nd Question 3rd Question Have you done How many of the How many of the any (hunting/ past 2 years past 5 years shooting) in the have you have you past 2 years? If (hunted/gone (hunted/gone not, in the past 5 target target years? If not, shooting)? shooting)? ever?
The parameters for categorization differ slightly for hunters and target shooters because initial surveying of the shooter sample found that the parameters that had been used for intermittent and ex-hunters were too restrictive when applied to shootersso few shooters would have qualified for either of those categories that the final data samples would have been too small. After initial surveying, the parameters were changed, and the respondents and their accompanying data that had already been gathered for the shooter survey were re-categorized into the proper categories. This meant that a few respondents had to be dropped from at most two questions in the dataset because they should not have gotten the questions based on their categorization. Specifically, ex-target shooters were not intended to be asked, Has your amount of sport shooting increased, decreased, or stayed the same over the past 5 years? Therefore, the initially identified intermittent shooters who dropped down to the ex category when the new parameters were adopted were removed from the data for this question, as well as either of the two follow-up questions that they might have been asked (Why has it increased? or Why has it decreased?).
Understanding Activities That Compete With Hunting and Target Shooting In summary, the definitions were as follows:
A hunter who hunted 2 of the past 2 years was considered an active hunter, regardless of whether he/she had hunted any of the 3 years previous to that. Also, a hunter who hunted only 1 of the past 2 years but hunted 4 of the past 5 years was considered an active hunter. o A hunter who hunted only 1 of the past 2 years was considered an intermittent hunter, with the exception of the above (hunted 1 of past 2, but also hunted 4 of the past 5 years). A hunter who did not hunt at all in the past 2 years was also considered an intermittent hunter if he/she had hunted all 3 of the years previous to that (i.e., 3 of the past 5 years). o Finally, a hunter who did not hunt at all in the past 2 years and hunted no more than 2 of the past 5 years was considered an ex-hunter.
o
A target shooter who went target shooting all 5 of the past 5 years was considered an active target shooter. o A target shooter who went target shooting 2 of the past 2 years but not all 5 of the past 5 years was considered an intermittent target shooter. Additionally, a target shooter who went target shooting 1 of the past 2 years, regardless of whether he/she went target shooting in the 3 years previous to that, was also considered an intermittent target shooter. Also, a target shooter who did not go target shooting at all in the past 2 years but went shooting 3 of the past 5 years was considered an intermittent target shooter. o Finally, a target shooter who did not target shoot at all in the past 2 years and went target shooting no more than 2 of the past 5 years was considered an ex-target shooter.
o
As discussed previously, during the analysis, a second approach was used to assign hunters into the categories above. The second approach assigned them based on the years that they purchased hunting licenses in a particular state, according to the data in the license database from which the sample was pulled, but kept the same criteria for assigning them into categories. While both approaches have plusses and minuses, after all analyses were complete, the findings and data interpretations were congruent in both approaches, lending additional credence to all results. For any of the results that are shown among all hunters of any participation strata (active, intermittent, or ex), the data were weighted so that the states were in their proper proportions, based on the number of hunting license holders in that state, according to Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration data. While this weighting plan applies well for active hunters, the plan was also used for intermittent and ex-hunters as a proxy, as there is no hard data on the actual number of intermittent and ex-hunters in the various states. For any results shown among all target shooters of any participation strata, the data were weighted so that the states were in their proper proportions, based on the estimated number of active target shooters in that state, according to the results of a target shooting participation study previously conducted for the NSSF by Responsive Management (the analogous comments regarding the use of the weighting plan as a proxy for intermittent and ex-target shooters applies here, too). That study is Sport Shooting Participation in the United States In 2009 and can be found on Responsive Managements website at the following address:
http://www.responsivemanagement.com/download/reports/NSSF_Shooting_Participation_Report.pdf
NOTES ON READING THE REPORT Types of Questions In examining the results, keep in mind that the questionnaire included several types of questions: Open-ended questions are those in which no answer set is read to the respondents; rather, they can respond with anything that comes to mind from the question. Closed-ended questions have an answer set from which to choose. Some questions allow only a single response, while other questions allow respondents to give more than one response or choose all that apply. Those that allow more than a single response are indicated on the graphs with the label, Multiple Responses Allowed. Many closed-ended questions (but not all) are in a scale, such as excellent-good-fairpoor. Many questions are part of a series, and the results are primarily intended to be examined relative to the other questions in that series (although results of the questions individually can also be valuable). Typically, results of questions in a series are shown on a single graph. Responses That Involve Numbers On questions that asked respondents to provide a number (e.g., respondents age), most graphs show ranges of numbers rather than the precise numbers. Nonetheless, on most questions in the survey that asked for a number, each respondent provided a precise number, and the data set includes this precise number, even if the graph only shows ranges of numbers. Note that the calculation of means and medians used the precise numbers that the respondents provided. Means and Medians As indicated above, some graphs show an average, either the mean or median (or both). The mean is simply the sum of all numbers divided by the number of respondents. Because outliers (extremely high or low numbers relative to most of the other responses) may skew the mean, the median may be shown. The median is the number at which half the sample is above and the other half is below. In other words, a median of 150 means that half the sample gave an answer of more than 150 and the other half gave an answer of less than 150. Rounding on Graphs Most graphs show results rounded to the nearest integer; however, all data are stored in decimal format, and all calculations are performed on unrounded numbers. For this reason, some results may not sum to exactly 100% because of this rounding on the graphs. Additionally, rounding may cause apparent discrepancies of 1 percentage point between the graphs and the reported results of combined responses (e.g., when strongly encourage and moderately encourage are summed to determine the total percentage who were encouraged to participate by a given factor). Questions that allow multiple responses may sum to more than 100% because respondents can give more than one answer.
Decimals Shown on Graphs As indicated above, most of the results are shown as integers. However, many of the open-ended questions in this survey obtained detailed data. So as to not lose this detail, percentages below 2% are shown in decimal (as otherwise some would reduce to 0% if rounded to the nearest integer). This is not to imply that the survey is accurate to the decimal place shown; it is simply to show that a few people gave the responses shown. A duplicate study may not find those same results at those low percentages (e.g., that less than 1% of hunters participate in harvesting wild mushrooms) unlike it would the percentage of hunters who hunt for deer, the latter which would be replicated in another study because the percentage who hunt for deer is high enough to move out of the insignificant realm. Nonetheless, it is worth showing the small percentages as decimals to see how many different activities are listed when one asks hundreds of people the types of activities in which they participate.
CHAPTER 2: PARTICIPATION IN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING HUNTING AND TARGET SHOOTING

One of the primary tasks of this study was to determine activities that are competing with and replacing hunting and target shooting. An initial question regarding this simply asked respondents to name their three top activities, regardless of whether these replaced hunting and target shooting or not (a later question specifically asked about activities that have replaced hunting and target shooting). For both the hunters and the target shooters who were surveyed, their top activities are fishing and hunting (Figures 2.1 and 2.2). Fishing was named by a majority of hunters (62%) and target shooters (70%), and hunting was named by a near-majority of hunters (45% of them) and a majority of target shooters (71% of them). A second tier of activities consists of hiking and camping. In both the hunter and shooter survey results shown in Figures 2.1 and 2.2, hiking and camping were named by substantially more respondents than the next activity in the ranking. Among hunters, 17% named camping and 16% named hiking (with the next activity having 9%), and among target shooters, 16% named hiking and 15% named camping (with the next activity having 10%). Clearly, hiking and camping occupy a second tiernot nearly as important as fishing and hunting, but nonetheless with substantial participation. Also of moderate importance as a competing activity is boating (and boating-related activities): 8% of hunters and 10% of target shooters named this. Certainly, some of the boating activities are done in conjunction with fishing and, to a lesser extent, hunting. Snow sports and golfing were the remaining activities of some importance as a competing activity, with 7% of hunters and 5% of target shooters naming snow sports, and 9% of both groups naming golfing. Below these, the activities listed are numerous, but done by relatively small percentagesno more than 5% of respondents. What is immediately clear is that nature-based outdoor recreation is of great importance to these respondents. For both groups, hunters and target shooters, the top four activities are naturebased: fishing, hunting, hiking, and camping. Furthermore, many of the lesser activities (hunters named 42 activities in the hunter survey, and target shooters named 35 activities in the shooting survey) are nature based: gardening/landscaping, visiting a state or national park, wildlife viewing/wildlife photography, cutting/splitting firewood and forestry work, SCUBA diving, rock/mountain climbing, trapping, crabbing/clam digging, and wild harvesting (e.g., mushrooms).
Q13. Can you please tell me the three outdoor activities you have participated in most often for fun, relaxation, or health during your non-work time in the past 2 years? (Open-ended.) (Part 1)
Fishing Hunting Camping Hiking Golfing
62 45 17 16 9 8 7 5 5 4 4 4 3 2 2 0 20 40 60 80 100
Multiple Responses Allowed
Boating or water skiing or water tubing Snow sports Fitness exercises, such as jogging or trail walking Off-highway driving / using an ATV Shooting or target shooting Bicycling or mountain biking Gardening / landscaping Swimming outdoors in pool or natural water body Motocross / motorcycle riding / dirt biking Field sports, such as football, soccer, or lacrosse
HUNTER SURVEY
Percent (n=2,228)
Figure 2.1 (Part 1). Top Activities of Hunters
10
Baseball or softball Horseback riding / horse-related activities Visiting a state or national park Walking Wildlife viewing / birdwatching / photography Farming / ranching Cutting / splitting firewood / timbering / forestry work Tennis 1.57 1.55 1.51 1.09 0.74 0.62 0.56 0.50 0.48 0.43 0.39 0.27 0.26 0.20 0.19 0.18 0.18 0.16 0.16 0.15 0.13 0.13 0.11 0.08 0.07 0.05 0.05
Auto racing / auto repair / auto restoration Traveling / site-seeing / driving around (not off-road) Basketball Flying planes Coaching Church activities Using an RV Rock hunting / prospecting Archery sports (outside of bow hunting) SCUBA Mountain climbing / rock climbing Trapping Crabbing / clam digging Amateur archeology (e.g., hunting for arrowheads, metal detecting) Frisbee golf / disc golf Skating / rollerblading / skate boarding Flying model airplanes / radio controlled models Cookouts / picnics Mushrooming
HUNTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent (n=2,228)
Figure 2.1 (Part 2). Top Activities of Hunters
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Hunting Fishing Hiking Camping Multiple Responses Allowed Boating or water skiing or water tubing Golfing Shooting or target shooting Snow sports Bicycling or mountain biking Fitness exercises, such as jogging, trail walking, etc. Gardening / landscaping Off-highway driving / riding an ATV 0 5 4 4 4 3 20 40 60 80 100 16 15 10 9 9 71 70
SHOOTER SURVEY
Percent (n=1,541)
Figure 2.2 (Part 1). Top Activities of Target Shooters
12
Swimming outdoors in pool or natural water body Motocross / motorcycle riding / dirt biking Horseback riding / horse-related activities Baseball or softball Field sports, such as football, soccer, or lacrosse Walking Taking scenic automobile trips
1.89 1.39 1.32 1.25 0.88 0.77 0.76 0.70 0.63 0.59 0.42 0.29 0.29 0.27 0.26 0.25 0.25 0.23 0.23 0.22 0.18 0.17 0.04
Training dogs Visiting a state or national park Basketball Farming / ranching Tennis Auto racing / repair / restoration Rock climbing / mountain climbing Archery Photography Clamming / crabbing Watching wildlife / birding Cooking out / grilling / BBQ / picnics Cutting / splitting firewood / forestry-related activities Hockey Mushrooming / harvesting berries or other natural foods Volleyball
SHOOTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent (n=1,541)
Figure 2.2 (Part 2). Top Activities of Target Shooters
Understanding Activities That Compete With Hunting and Target Shooting Another part of the analysis crosstabulates the above questions regarding primary outdoor activities by the participation status (i.e., active, intermittent, or ex-hunter/target shooter) to determine if any important differences exist in primary activities according to status. Specifically, in what activities are ex-hunters and ex-target shooters engaging at greater rates than their more avid counterparts. Figure 2.3 shows all the activities named by at least 2% of respondents overall crosstabulated by participation status.
Q13. Can you please tell me the three outdoor activities you have participated in most often for fun, relaxation, or health during your non-work time in the past 2 years? (Open-ended.) (Shows only the activities named by at least 2% of hunters overall.)
Fishing Hunting Camping Hiking Boating or water skiing or water tubing
44 16 18 18 13 15 19 9 10 55 68 64 90
13
Golfing Snow sports Off-highway driving / using an ATV Shooting or target shooting Fitness exercises, such as jogging, trail walking, etc. Bicycling or mountain biking Gardening / landscaping Swimming outdoors in a pool or natural body of water Motocross / motorcycle riding / dirt biking Field sports, such as football, soccer, or lacrosse
6 8 11 7 7 6 6 5 3 5 6 3 4 5 6 2 5 6
Active (n=932) Intermittent (n=633) Ex (n=663)
2 5 6 2 3 3 2 2 3 2 3 1
HUNTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 2.3. Primary Activities of Hunters Crosstabulated by Participation Status
Other than hunting and, to a lesser extent, fishing, the differences between participation status groups is not markedly different. While active hunters are also more active anglers, compared to intermittent and ex-hunters, they are slightly less active in hiking and camping. This suggests a scenario whereby some hunters drop out of hunting but remain outdoorsmen by slightly increasing their hiking and camping participation. However, these differences are quite small, so
14
the number of hunters who are leaving hunting in favor of hiking and camping is not substantial. It seems likely that they may have camped and hiked all along, regardless of their trends in hunting participation. The crosstabulation by participation status shows that ex-hunters are the most likely of the three groups to go golfing. Again, however, the differences are small, so the data does not support the contention that hunters are leaving the sport in droves to go golfing. The crosstabulation of target shooter data by participation status shows that active target shooters are more active in fishing and hunting than are intermittent and ex-target shooters (Figure 2.4). Again, all differences between groups, outside of for fishing and hunting, are slight.
Q10. Can you please tell me the three outdoor activities you have participated in most often for fun, relaxation, or health during your non-work time in the past 2 years? (Open-ended.) (Shows only the activities named by at least 2% of shooters overall.)
75
Fishing Hunting Hiking Camping Multiple Responses Allowed Boating or water skiing or water tubing Golfing Shooting or target shooting Snow sports Bicycling or mountain biking Fitness exercises, such as jogging, trail walking, etc. Gardening / landscaping Off-highway driving / riding an ATV Swimming outdoors in a pool or natural body of water 0
17 16 15 18 19
68 65 66
82
56
10 11 7 9 8 8
11 14 12
0 5 6 4 3 5 5 3 5 5 3 2 5 4 3 2 0 2 4
SHOOTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 2.4. Primary Activities of Target Shooters Crosstabulated by Participation Status
15
The surveys explored another aspect of participation in outdoor recreation, asking respondents about the types of hunting and target shooting that they would like to try. Specifically, the hunter survey asked hunters if there were other types of hunting that they do not currently do but would be interesting in trying, and the shooter survey asked an analogous question of target shooters (Figures 2.5 and 2.6). Of foremost interest is that 60% of hunters and 71% of target shooters indicate no interest in trying hunting/target shooting outside of their regular hunting and target shooting activities. This leaves only 40% of hunters and 29% of target shooters indicating any interest in other types of activities within their sport. For hunters, elk, wild turkey, waterfowl, and bowhunting are of the most interest, while for target shooters, long-range, skeet, competitive league, and target shooting at a formal range are of most interest. Note, however, that none of the other interests were named by a high percentage of survey respondents, no more than 3%. Because these graphs have rather long lists of responses, albeit named by low percentages, the graphs are split into parts, with each part shown on a full page, starting on the next page. In general, many of the hunters wanting to try a different type of hunting named a more seemingly exotic species (not to mean exotic as an introduced or invasive species, but exotic meaning strikingly different). Elk is the top interest, which is certainly out of the realm of most hunters experience and which has a limited geographic rangemost hunters in the United States do not even have elk in their local hunting areas. Granted, the next three species on the list may be considered fairly ubiquitouswild turkey, waterfowl, and deerbut these are followed by such things as moose and boar, and the second part of this list includes bighorn sheep, antelope, caribou, cougar, alligator, and wolf. In general, target shooters named various other types of shooting that they would like to try rather than naming different types of firearms. In a finding that may be counter to the prevailing perception of target shooters among some non-shooters, the survey did not find that target shooters simply wished to shoot bigger and more powerful firearms; rather, they showed interest in different types of shooting.
16
Q38/Q39. Are there types of hunting that you don't do now but that you would be interested in trying? If yes, what species or types of equipment are you interested in hunting or trying? (Open-ended.) (Part 1)
None / Not interested in others Elk
60
Wild turkey
Waterfowl
Archery
Deer
Pheasant
Bear
Moose
HUNTER SURVEY
Wild boar / feral pigs
2 0 20 40 60 80 100
Percent (n=2,228)
Figure 2.5 (Part 1). Other Hunting Activities of Interest to Hunters
17
Q38/Q39. Are there types of hunting that you don't do now but that you would be interested in trying? If yes, what species or types of equipment are you interested in hunting or trying? (Open-ended.) (Part 2)
Game birds in general Other states / other locations / safari Big game in general Black powder / muzzleloaders Any kind / anything different Squirrel Quail Rabbit / hare Small game in general
1.75 1.53 1.30 1.20 1.11 1.11 0.81 0.63 0.63 0.53 0.48 0.45 0.41 0.34 0.33 0.33 0.25 0.18 0.14 0.13 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.09 0.03 0.02 0.01
Dove Coyote Bighorn sheep Different firearm Antelope Caribou Grouse Cougar / mountain lion Mountain goat Raccoon Predators in general Alligator Game farm / hunting reserve Prairie dog Using dogs Chukar Partridge Wolf
HUNTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent (n=2,228)
Figure 2.5 (Part 2). Other Hunting Activities of Interest to Hunters
18
Q46. Are there types of shooting that you don't do now but that you would be interested in trying? (Open-ended.) (Part 1)
None / Not interested in others
71
Long Range
Skeet
Competitive league
Target shooting at range
SHOOTER SURVEY
Black powder / muzzleloader
Sporting Clays
20
40
60
80
100
Percent (n=1,541)
Figure 2.6 (Part 1). Other Target Shooting Activities of Interest to Target Shooters
19
Q46. Are there types of shooting that you don't do now but that you would be interested in trying? (Open-ended.) (Part 2)
Trap Cowboy Action Either plinking or target shooting, but named a type of firearm would like to try rather than a type of shooting (other than archery or black powder) Silhouette NRA High Power Bullseye Benchrest Hunting-related Tactical Five-Stand Archery IPSC or Practical shooting Other Don't know / did not name an activity
1.95 1.91 1.41 1.26 0.78 0.65 0.52 0.49 0.48 0.45 0.42 0.31 0.43 8 0 20 40 60 80 100
SHOOTER SURVEY
Percent (n=1,541)
Figure 2.6 (Part 2). Other Target Shooting Activities of Interest to Target Shooters
20
The questions about other hunting and other target shooting activities of interest were crosstabulated by the participation status: active, intermittent, or ex. Figure 2.7 shows that active hunters are more interested than are other hunters in trying other types of hunting. Perhaps there were some thoughts that ex-hunters and intermittent hunters could be enticed to hunt by opportunities for other types of hunting; however, such opportunities appear to be more likely to increase avidity among active hunters rather than among intermittent and ex-hunters. (Not to imply that encouraging greater avidity among active hunters is not a worthy goal.)
Q38. Are there types of hunting that you don't do now but that you would be interested in trying?
46 Yes 33 38 Active (n=932) Intermittent (n=633) Ex (n=663)
53 No 59 65
1 Don't know 2 2
HUNTER SURVEY
20
40 Percent
60
80
100
Figure 2.7. Interest in Other Types of Hunting Crosstabulated by Participation Status
Figure 2.8 shows the types of other hunting that respondents would like to try (among those who indicated that they wanted to try another type of hunting) crosstabulated by the participation status. Active hunters had the highest percentage of the three groups who wanted to try hunting the aforementioned out-of-the-ordinary game: elk, bear, and moose, for instance. On the other hand, ex-hunters had the highest percentage wanting to try deer, suggesting that some of the exhunters were simply not very avid hunters to begin with and who had perhaps not progressed out of the beginning stage of hunting wherein small game is targetedalmost as if their initiation into hunting never progressed to big game. Overall, the differences between groups are insubstantial on most responses (e.g., wild turkey, archery).
21
Q39. What species or types of equipment are you interested in hunting or trying? (Asked of those who say that there are types of hunting that they don't do now but that they would be interested in trying.) (Open-ended.) (Shows only those with a total of at least 2%.)
Elk Wild turkey Waterfowl Archery Pheasant Multiple Responses Allowed Deer Bear Moose Game birds in general Wild boar / feral pigs Other states / other locations / safari Black powder / muzzleloaders Big game in general Any kind / anything different Squirrel Quail 0
2 7 8 12 17 24
13 14 15 11 15
12 10
11 9
5 6 9 8 9
14
4 5 4 5 3 5 6
4 2 5 2 5 4 4
2 2
3 3 3 1 3 2 2 2
HUNTER SURVEY
5
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 2.8. Other Hunting Activities of Interest to Hunters Crosstabulated by Participation Status
22
As was seen in the hunter survey, the shooter survey found that active target shooters are more likely than are intermittent or ex-target shooters to say that there are other types of shooting that they would like to try (Figure 2.9). For almost every type of shooting mentioned, active target shooters had the highest percentage saying that they wanted to try that type of shooting, but the differences were quite small. Nonetheless, the differences, despite being small, offer some insight in suggesting that active target shooters are showing more interest in other types of shooting relative to intermittent and ex-target shooters.
Q46. Are there types of shooting that you don't do now but that you would be interested in trying? (Open-ended.) (Shows all responses given by at least 1% of total.)
None / Not interested in others
64 68 5 4 2 4 5
81
Long Range
Skeet
Target shooting at range
3 3 3 4 3 1 3 3 1 3 3 1 2 2 1 3 2 0 1 3 1 2 1 1
Competitive league
Black powder / muzzleloader
Sporting Clays
Trap
Cowboy Action
Either plinking or target shooting, but named a type of firearm would like to try rather than a type of shooting (other than archery or black powder)
SHOOTER SURVEY
Silhouette
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 2.9. Other Target Shooting Activities of Interest to Target Shooters Crosstabulated by Participation Status
Understanding Activities That Compete With Hunting and Target Shooting The shooter survey asked target shooters, after discussing the shooting activities in which they engage, to indicate their single favorite type of target shooting. (Note that, because of considerations of survey length, no analogous question was included in the hunter survey regarding favorite type of hunting.) This is another measure of interest in other types of target shooting, as it allowed for answers outside of the types of shooting that target shooters may currently engage in most often. Figure 2.10 shows that target shooting at a range (24%) and simple plinking (22%) top the list, with the next three items, sporting clays, trap, and skeet, combining for 29%. Note that each respondent could give only one answer to this question.
23
Q42. What is your favorite type of shooting? (Open-ended.)

Target shooting at range Plinking Sporting Clays Trap Skeet Hunting-related activities Long Range Bullseye Competitive league Benchrest Archery Black powder / muzzleloaders Silhouette Tactical Sighting a gun IPSC or Practical shooting NRA High Power Five-Stand Cowboy Action Other Don't know / did not name an activity 0 9 6 4 3 2 0.85 0.82 0.67 0.59 0.53 0.39 0.34 0.30 0.20 0.19 0.03 0.62 10 20 40 60 80 100 *Rounding on graph causes apparent discrepancy in sum. 13 29% * 24 22
SHOOTER SURVEY
Percent (n=1,541)
Figure 2.10. Target Shooters Favorite Types of Target Shooting
24
When comparing the graph in Figure 2.10 previously shown with the results regarding the types of shooting that target shooters do the most in Figure 2.11 below, a measure of latent demand is produced. Note that a greater percentage of target shooters target shoot at a range (34% do this the most) than say that target shooting at a range is their favorite type of shooting (24%, a difference of 10 percentage points). Plinking is similar in having no latent demand, with 29% doing it the most compared to 22% saying it is their favorite type of shooting. On the other hand, the three clay sports have latent demand: 23% do it the most, but 29% name one of these as their favorite type of target shooting.
Q40. What type of shooting do you do the most? (Open-ended.)
Target shooting at range Plinking Sporting Clays Trap Skeet Bullseye Sighting in gun / patterning shotgun Long Range Benchrest Archery Silhouette Five-Stand Tactical NRA High Power Competitive league Cowboy Action Other 0 9 8 5 1.51 1.20 0.84 0.57 0.52 0.43 0.24 0.22 0.20 0.15 0.03 0.53 20
34 29
23% *
*Rounding on graph causes apparent discrepancy in sum.
SHOOTER SURVEY
40
60
80
100
Percent (n=1,541)
Figure 2.11. Types of Target Shooting in Which Target Shooters Most Often Engage
25
The surveys also explored the amount of crossover between hunting and target shooting, as shown in Figure 2.12. Specifically, the hunter survey asked hunters about participation in target shooting (outside of hunting), and the shooter survey asked target shooters about their participation in hunting. A little more than half of hunters (55%) indicate that they went target shooting (separate from hunting) within the 2 years previous to the survey. Crossover was even more among target shooters: 74% of target shooters indicated that they went hunting within the 2 years previous to the survey.
Q57. Have you done any target or sport shooting in the past 2 years, including just plinking or sighting firearms, but excluding hunting? In the past 5 years? Ever? (Asked of hunters.)
Q65. Have you done any hunting in the past 2 years? In the past 5 years? Ever? (Asked of target shooters.)
In the past 2 years
55
In the past 2 years
74
In the past 5 years, but not the past 2 years Ever, but not in past 5 years
14
HUNTER SURVEY
11
18
12
SHOOTER SURVEY
No, never
13
No, never
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
Percent (n=2,228)
Percent (n=1,541)
Figure 2.12. Crossover Participation in Target Shooting and Hunting Among Hunters and Target Shooters
It is not surprising that active hunters and active target shooters, compared to less avid hunters and target shooters, are the most likely to have done crossover participation (Figure 2.13). For instance, 72% of active hunters have gone target shooting in the past 2 years, compared to 59% of intermittent hunters and 37% of ex-hunters. Likewise, 89% of active target shooters went hunting in the past 2 years, compared to 71% of intermittent target shooters and 56% of ex-target shooters.
26
Q57. Have you done any target or sport shooting in the past 2 years, including just plinking or sighting firearms, but excluding hunting? In the past 5 years? Ever? (Asked of hunters.)
Q65. Have you done any hunting in the past 2 years? In the past 5 years? Ever? (Asked of target shooters.)
In the past 2 years
72 59 37
In the past 2 years
89 71 56
8 16 18
5 15 19
9 13 29 HUNTER SURVEY
5 11 21
10
No, never
12 16
No, never
2 5
SHOOTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Percent
Figure 2.13. Crossover Participation in Target Shooting and Hunting Among Hunters and Target Shooters, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
Each survey included a follow-up question for those who participated in both hunting and target shooting (Figure 2.14). The surveys asked respondents who participated in both activities to identify themselves as either hunters or target shooters (but the survey allowed for those who said both). Those who did both activities more often identified themselves as hunters than target shooters by a margin of about 3 to 1. In fact, both surveys had nearly identical results. The crosstabulation of the question regarding self-identification as a hunter or target shooter (crosstabulated by participation status) found some interesting differences between groups as well as between surveys. As Figure 2.15 shows, the hunter survey found that active hunters, compared to intermittent and ex-hunters, are the most likely to consider themselves a hunter (among those who did both hunting and target shooting). Meanwhile, ex-hunters are the most likely to consider themselves a target shooter. It may be that there exists a group of not-avid hunters who were mostly target shooters but tried hunting and then dropped hunting. Figure 2.15 also shows the shooter survey results; there are only small differences between participation groups on this questiona large majority of each shooter group answered that they consider themselves to be hunters.
27
Q58. Do you consider yourself more of a target shooter or more of a hunter? (Asked of those who both hunted and went shooting in the past.)
Q66. Do you consider yourself more of a target shooter or more of a hunter? (Asked of those who both went shooting and went hunting in the past.)
Hunter
59
Hunter
64
Both
15
Both
15
Target shooter
21
Target shooter
19
SHOOTER SURVEY
Don't know
HUNTER SURVEY
Don't know
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
Percent (n=1,971)
Percent (n=1,485)
Figure 2.14. Self-Identification as Hunters or Target Shooters Among Those Who Do Both
Q58. Do you consider yourself more of a target shooter or more of a hunter? (Asked of those who both hunted and went shooting in the past.) Q66. Do you consider yourself more of a target shooter or more of a hunter? (Asked of those who both went shooting and went hunting in the past.)
73
62
Hunter
45
59
Hunter
62 68
16
Both
15 13
19
Both
9
15
Target shooter
10 23 33 HUNTER SURVEY 9
Target shooter
19 21 19 SHOOTER SURVEY 5
Don't know
Don't know
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Percent
Figure 2.15. Self-Identification as Hunters/Target Shooters Crosstabulated by Participation Status
28
CHAPTER 3: SPECIFIC ASPECTS OF PARTICIPATION IN HUNTING AND TARGET SHOOTING

The previous chapter explored the outdoor activities engaged in, as well as those activities in which respondents wish to engageall topics that directly pertain to activities that may compete with hunting and target shooting. Chapter 3 explores some aspects of and target shooting trips, including likely companions. These questions pertain to the decision-making process when hunters and target shooters decide whether to go hunting or shooting. The first aspect explored in this chapter is hunting and target shooting companions. To start with, both surveys asked respondents about the amount of time that they hunt and target shoot with others and the amount of time that they hunt and target shoot alone. Figure 3.1 shows the alone side of the set of questions (the with others graphs are almost perfect reverse images of those shown below and so are not included in the report). As the reader can see, very low percentages always hunt/target shoot alone: only 5% of hunters and 4% of target shooters. Furthermore, a majority of each group always go hunting/target shooting with a companion: 63% of hunters and 55% of target shooters. Clearly, these activities are predominantly done in groups rather than alone.
Q43. What percentage of the time do you go hunting alone? Q53. What percentage of the time do you go shooting alone?
100% 76%-99% 75% 51%-74% 50% 26%-49% 25% 1%-24% 0% Don't know
0 1 2 1 1
5 4 Mean = 16.70 Median = 0
100% 76%-99% 75% 51%-74%

8
4 6 2 1 10 2 4 17 55 1 0 20 40 60 80 100 SHOOTER SURVEY Mean = 19.18 Median = 0
50% 26%-49% 25%

12 63
HUNTER SURVEY
1%-24% 0% Don't know
20
40
60
80
100
Percent (n=2,228)
Percent (n=1,541)
Figure 3.1. Percentage of Time That Respondents Hunt or Target Shoot Alone
The questions shown above in Figure 3.1 were also crosstabulated by participation status, as shown in Figure 3.2. This crosstabulation found that active hunters, compared to intermittent or ex-hunters, are more likely to sometimes (even if not often) go hunting alone, as evidenced by
29
the percent who answered 0% (i.e., never). While only 57% of active hunters say that they never go hunting alone, 64% of intermittent hunters and 70% of ex-hunters say that they never go hunting alone. It appears that active hunters are more willing to go hunting, even if they have nobody else to go with, than are intermittent and ex-hunters. The shooter survey found similar results, with active target shooters more willing to target shoot alone: 46% of active target shooters say that they never go target shooting alone, while 61% of intermittent target shooters and 64% of ex-target shooters say that they never go target shooting alone.
Q43. What percentage of the time do you go hunting alone?

100% 76%-99% 75% 51%-74% 50% 26%-49% 25% 1%-24% 0% Don't know
0 0 0 1 20 40 60 80 100 3 1 2 4 3 2 6 11 17 57 HUNTER SURVEY 3 6 7 Means Active = 16.67 Intermittent = 18.02 Ex = 16.32
Q53. What percentage of the time do you go shooting alone?

100% 76%-99% 75% 51%-74%
4 3 4 7 5 4 2 2 1 1 2 1 8 8 2 1 2 5 3 2 14 13 21 46 0 1 2 0 20 40 60 80 100 SHOOTER SURVEY 11
4 4 4 1 1 1 1 1 0 6 10 9
Means Active = 22.45 Intermittent = 16.88 Ex = 15.66
50% 26%-49% 25% 1%-24%
64
70
0% Don't know
61 64
Percent
Percent
Figure 3.2. Percentage of Time That Respondents Hunt or Target Shoot Alone Crosstabulated by Participation Status
The next question concerns with whom these people engage in these activities. For both activities, family plays an important role (more so with hunting than target shooting): 71% of hunters who hunt at least some of the time with somebody else typically hunt with a family member (not exclusive of also having a friend along), and 64% of target shooters who target shoot at least some of the time with somebody else typically target shoot with a family member (Figures 3.3 and 3.4). But this is not to say that friends are not important, as a near-majority of hunters who hunt with others (48%) and a solid majority of target shooters who target shoot with others (57%) named friends as typical companions. For these questions, the crosstabulations by participation status are not shown because there were no marked differences.
30
Q48. With whom do you typically hunt? (Asked of those who go hunting with somebody else at least part of the time.) (Open-ended.)
Friends Family in general Son Father Brother Husband Children (didn't specify son or daughter)
3 2 1.64 1.54 1.54 1.28 1.05 0.99 0.87 0.79 0.61 0.51 0.24 0.21 0.20 0.18 0.13 0.06 8 7 6 17 29
48
Grandchildren Cousin Brother-in-law Wife Son-in-law Nephew Daughter Father-in-law Uncle Spouse Club Mother Grandfather Sister Aunt Boyfriend Daughter-in-law
71% name a family member
HUNTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent (n=2,078)
Figure 3.3. Typical Hunting Companions
31
Q57. With whom do you typically shoot? (Asked of those who go shooting with somebody else at least part of the time.) (Open-ended.)
Friends Family in general Son Brother Father Grandson Wife Children in general Daughter Husband Brother-in-law Nephew Son-in-law Club members Grandchildren in general Cousin Spouse or fiance (did not specify gender) Granddaughter Sister In-laws in general Father-in-law Uncle Niece Mother Boyfriend Sister-in-law Grandfather Girlfriend Daughter-in-law
5 3 2 2 2 1.76 1.73 1.33 0.77 0.76 0.74 0.66 0.66 0.36 0.32 0.26 0.23 0.22 0.16 0.15 0.10 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.06 0.01 16 57 32
64% name a family member
SHOOTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent (n=1,465)
Figure 3.4. Typical Target Shooting Companions
Another aspect related to hunting and target shooting trips is how far ahead people plan trips, and for the survey a trip is loosely defined as to include just a part of a day as a trip. This topic was examined in two ways: the amount of lead-time for a typical trip, and then the portion of all trips that are planned more or less spur of the moment (i.e., less than 2 weeks ahead of time). It is not surprising that the answers rum the gamut from completely spontaneous to plans for trips
32
more than a year in advance, reflecting the entire range of personality types. So the question becomes determining the percentage of people and trips that are spontaneous and the percentage that are carefully planned. Figure 3.5 shows the first question of the pair in each survey: how far in advance peoples typical hunting and target shooting trips are planned. Spontaneity is more important among target shooters than among hunters: while 45% of hunters plan typical hunting trips no more than a week ahead, 78% of target shooters plan typical target shooting trips no more than a week ahead.
Q60. How far in advance do you start planning a typical hunting trip?
Q68. How far in advance do you start planning a typical shooting trip?
More than a year 1 year 7-11 months 6 months 4-5 months 2-3 months 1 month 2-3 weeks 1 week 5-6 days 3-4 days 1-2 days Do not plan trips / just go hunting that day Don't know
0
1 8 2 6 2 11 10 12 13 1 4 11 16 3 20 40 60 80 100 45% plan a week or less ahead HUNTER SURVEY 39% plan a month or more ahead
More than a year 1 year 7-11 months 6 months 4-5 months 2-3 months 1 month 2-3 weeks 1 week 5-6 days 3-4 days 1-2 days Do not plan trips / just go shooting that day Don't know
0
0 3 0 1 0 2 3 9 16 1 5 20 37 3 20 40 60 80 100 78% plan a week or less ahead SHOOTER SURVEY 11% plan a month or more ahead
Percent (n=2,228)
Percent (n=1,541)
Figure 3.5. Planning Time for Hunting and Target Shooting Trips As shown in Figures 3.6 and 3.7, the crosstabulation of these questions by participation status found little difference between active, intermittent, and ex-hunters (for instance, the percentages planning trips a week or less in advance are 43% for active, 48% for intermittent, and 47% for ex). Among target shooters, active target shooters are just slightly more spontaneous: the percentages planning trips a week or less in advance are 81% for active target shooters, 78% for intermittent target shooters, and 74% for ex-target shootersdifferences that are not large.
33
Q60. How far in advance do you start planning a typical hunting trip?
More than a year 1 year 7-11 months 6 months 4-5 months 2-3 months 1 month 2-3 weeks 1 week 5-6 days 3-4 days 1-2 days Do not plan trips / just go hunting that day Don't know 0
1 0 0 6 6 2 2 1 6 5 6 2 1 2 10 12 12 10 10 10 14 12 11 11 15 14 1 1 1 6 4 3 12 13 11 14 15 18 2 2 10
HUNTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 3.6. Planning Time for Hunting Trips, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
34
Q68. How far in advance do you start planning a typical shooting trip?
More than a year 1 year 7-11 months 6 months 4-5 months 2-3 months 1 month 2-3 weeks 1 week 5-6 days 3-4 days 1-2 days Do not plan trips / just go shooting that day Don't know
0 1 0 3 2 3 0 1 1 1 2 2 0 0 0 3 1 3 2 4 5 8 9 9 18 18
13 0 2 1 5 4 4
22 19 17 36 35 38 2 2 4
SHOOTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 3.7. Planning Time for Target Shooting Trips, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
35
As indicated above, a second way to look at the lead-time for planning trips was included in the survey, which asked respondents to indicate the percentage of their trips that were planned less than 2 weeks ahead of time (Figure 3.8). About a third of hunters are entirely spontaneous (31% indicated that all of their trips are planned less than 2 weeks ahead of time). The hunter survey has an interesting finding in that almost as many who say that all their trips are planned within that 2-week timeframe say that none of their trips are planned in that timeframe (30% indicated that none of their trips are planned less than 2 weeks ahead of time). In the shooter survey (also Figure 3.8), a majority of target shooters are entirely spontaneous (58% plan all of their trips less than 2 weeks in advance).
Q61. What percentage of your hunting trips are planned less than 2 weeks in advance? Q69. What percentage of your shooting trips are planned less than 2 weeks in advance?
100% 76%-99% 75% 51%-74% 50% 26%-49% 25% 1%-24% 0% Don't know
0 3 20 2 3 13 2 1 6 8
31
100% 76%-99% 75%

Mean = 48.42 Median = 50 2 1 5 2 2 7 10 2 0 20 40 10
58
51%-74% 50% 26%-49% 25% 1%-24% 0% Don't know
SHOOTER SURVEY
30
HUNTER SURVEY
40
60
80
100
60
80
100
Percent (n=2,228)
Percent (n=1,541)
Figure 3.8. Percentage of Trips Planned Less Than 2 Weeks Ahead of Time
The crosstabulation of these questions by participation status finds that ex-hunters and ex-target shooters, relative to their intermittent and active counterparts, are the most likely to say that none of their trips are planned less than 2 weeks in advance, suggesting that they are more deliberate in their planning of trips (when they last went hunting or target shooting) (Figures 3.9 and 3.10).
36
Q61. What percentage of your hunting trips are planned less than 2 weeks in advance?
100% 10
28
34 34 Means Active = 48.16 Intermittent = 51.85 Ex = 47.58 Medians Active = 40 Intermittent = 50 Ex = 25
76%-99% 2 2 2 1 1 1
8 6
75%
51%-74%
50%
3 4 2 1 2 2 5
7 8 Active (n=932) Intermittent (n=633) Ex (n=663)
26%-49%
25%
1%-24%
12 10
16
0% 2 3 5 0 20
24 28
35
HUNTER SURVEY
Don't know
40 Percent
60
80
100
Figure 3.9. Percentage of Hunting Trips Planned Less Than 2 Weeks Ahead of Time, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
37
Q69. What percentage of your shooting trips are planned less than 2 weeks in advance?
100% 12
59 63 56 9
76%-99% 3 2 1 2 1 0
75%
51%-74%
50% 2 2 1
5 4 5
26%-49%
25%
3 1 2 7 5 7 6 10
1%-24%
SHOOTER SURVEY
17
0%
Don't know 0
1 2 4 20 40 Percent 60 80 100
Figure 3.10. Percentage of Target Shooting Trips Planned Less Than 2 Weeks Ahead of Time, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
38
CHAPTER 4: MOTIVATIONS FOR PARTICIPATING IN ACTIVITIES, SATISFACTIONS DERIVED FROM THEM, AND REASONS FOR INCREASED AVIDITY
A most basic question asked respondents to name the most important reasons that they go hunting and target shooting. These were open-ended questions, and respondents answered with anything that came to mind, and they could give more than a single response. Figure 4.1 shows that hunters most common motivations are for the simple fun provided by hunting (37%), to be close to nature/in the outdoors (28%), for the meat (24%), to be with family (12%), and to be with friends (8%). Note that multiple answers could be given, and many of those who gave the nature-related answer also gave an answer pertaining to hunting being fun. Likewise, many of those who answered family did so in conjunction with friends, as well.
Q25. What would you say are your most important reasons for participating in hunting? In other words, what are your motivations? (Open-ended.)
For fun, relaxation, sport / enjoy it (without giving nature or wildlife-related answer) Gave an answer related to being close to nature or being outdoors For the meat To be with family To be with friends Tradition Conservation / help with game management Exercise Like to work dogs / other dog-related answer Thrill / excitement of hunting / adventure Challenge Trophy / for antlers / to hang on wall / to get a big buck Other No answer / don't know
37 28 24 12 8 4 1.43 1.21 0.99 0.87 0.86 0.22 1.46 1.98 0 20 40 60 80 100
HUNTER SURVEY
Percent (n=2,228)
Figure 4.1. Most Important Reasons for Hunting
39
The shooter survey had a similar question regarding motivations for target shooting. In answer to this question, 56% of target shooters said they go target shooting for the simple fun of it (Figure 4.2). This top answer was followed by to increase skill (24%), as an ancillary activity to hunting (15%), and to be with family or friends (7%). Note that the hunting-related answer was counted only if the respondent on his/her own mentioned hunting. The question was openended, so no prompting was given, and 15% of target shooters, without prompting, indicated that they go target shooting to improve their hunting skills or to keep in practice when hunting is not in season.
Q39. What would you say are your most important reasons for participating in shooting? In other words, what are your motivations? (Open-ended.)
To have fun / for enjoyment To increase skill Mentioned hunting in response To be with family or friends Multiple Responses Allowed Sighting gun or patterning shotgun / checking out gun or loads Tradition / have always done it Mentioned self-defense in response To get outside Mentoring Mentioned firearm rights in response For the challenge Competition Other No answer / don't know 0 7 5 3 3 3 2 1.74 1.35 0.77 1.50 1.00 20 40 60 80 100 15 24 56
SHOOTER SURVEY
Percent (n=1,541)
Figure 4.2. Most Important Reasons for Target Shooting
As with most questions in the two surveys, these questions were crosstabulated by participation status. There were no marked differences in motivations for hunting (Figure 4.3) or for target shooting (Figure 4.4). If anything, perhaps active hunters and active target shooters are more
40
likely (compared to intermittent and ex-participants) to answer that they participate just for fun; however, the differences, as previously said, are very slight.
Q25. What would you say are your most important reasons for participating in hunting? In other words, what are your motivations? (Open-ended.)
For fun, relaxation, sport / enjoy it (without giving a nature or wildlife-related answer) Gave an answer related to being close to nature or being outdoors For the meat To be with family To be with friends Tradition Conservation / help with game management Exercise Like to work dogs / other dog-related answer Thrill / excitement of hunting / adventure Challenge Trophy / for antlers / to hang on wall / to get a big buck Other No answer / don't know
8 6 8 5 5 4 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 2 1 1 4 13 14 11 33 35 29 32 41
26 22 24 25
HUNTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 4.3. Most Important Reasons for Hunting Crosstabulated by Participation Status
41
Q39. What would you say are your most important reasons for participating in shooting? In other words, what are your motivations? (Open-ended.)
To have fun / for enjoyment To increase skill Mentioned hunting in response To be with family or friends Multiple Responses Allowed Sighting gun or patterning shotgun / checking out gun or loads To get outside Tradition / have always done it Mentioned self-defense in response Mentoring Mentioned firearm rights in response For the challenge Competition Other No answer / don't know 0
5 10 9 3 7 7 15 13 15 26 26 22 52 51 61
3 5 3 4 3 3 4 3 3 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 0 1 1 2 1 1 0 1 2
SHOOTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 4.4. Most Important Reasons for Target Shooting Crosstabulated by Participation Status
42
Another question that pertained to motivations asked hunters and target shooters whose participation had recently increased to indicate why their participation had increased (Figures 4.5 and 4.6). Two answers predominate in both surveys: that respondents simply had more time/more opportunities (42% of hunters whose hunting participation increased; 34% of target shooters whose target shooting had increased) and that they had family who wanted to go hunting (19%) or go target shooting (16%). This points out the importance of family in getting hunters and target shooters to increase their avidity.
Q27. Why did your amount of hunting increase? (Asked of those whose amount of hunting increased.) (Open-ended.)
Had more time / more opportunities Had family who wanted to hunt Simply because he/she likes it / enjoys it Had more money Needs more meat
42 19 9 5 4 3 3 3 2 2 1.32 0.96 0.76 0.56 3 3 0 20 40 60 80 100
Just started (i.e., can only increase) Had friends doing it More and/or better game to shoot Gotten older and can hunt on my own / gotten better at it Had better access Health improved Seasons were expanded / bag limit increased Trying new type of hunting Getting back into the sport Other Don't know / no reason
HUNTER SURVEY
Percent (n=156)
Figure 4.5. Reasons That Hunting Participation Increased
43
Q49. Why did your amount of sport shooting increase? (Asked of those whose amount of shooting increased.) (Open-ended.)
I have more time Have family and/or friends that go shooting more now Became more interested / having fun Bought or acquired a new or different firearm
34 16 10 8 6 5 5 4 3 1.49 0.42 7 7 0 20 40 60 80 100
Better access Because I need practice Better able to afford it Tried something new More opportunities (not specific to access) Just started or got back into it within past 5 years (i.e., could only increase) Better health Other Don't know
SHOOTER SURVEY
Percent (n=182)
Figure 4.6. Reasons That Target Shooting Participation Increased
44
The question regarding reasons for the increase in hunting participation was crosstabulated by participation status. Only active and intermittent hunters can be compared, as too few ex-hunters received the question (only those whose hunting participation increased were asked). What is immediately apparent is that active hunters are much more likely to say that their hunting increased because they had more time/more opportunities (Figure 4.7). It may simply be that active hunters are more connected to other hunters and, ergo, have more opportunities presented to them. It may also be that they are more amenable to finding the time to go.
Q27. Why did your amount of hunting increase? (Asked of those whose amount of hunting increased.) (Open-ended.)
Had more time / more opportunities Had family who wanted to hunt Simply because he/she likes it / enjoys it Had more money Just started (i.e., can only increase)
8 2 6 0 3 16 5 0 2 6 3 3 2 11 3 0 1 6 0 6 1 2 1 3 3 6 3 8 49 19 17 15
Needs more meat Had friends doing it More and/or better game to shoot Had better access Gotten older and can hunt on my own / gotten better at it Health improved Getting back into the sport Seasons were expanded / bag limit increased Trying new type of hunting Other Don't know / no reason
Active (n=121) Intermittent (n=27)
Only 8 respondents with the "ex" status received question; therefore, those results not valid to be shown as percentages.
HUNTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 4.7. Reasons That Hunting Participation Increased Crosstabulated by Participation Status
Understanding Activities That Compete With Hunting and Target Shooting Similar to the above, the question regarding reasons for the increase in target shooting participation was crosstabulated by participation status. In this crosstabulation, there were no marked differences (Figure 4.8).
45
Q49. Why did your amount of sport shooting increase? (Asked of those whose amount of shooting increased.) (Open-ended.)
I have more time Have family and/or friends that go shooting more now Bought or acquired a new or different firearm Became more interested / having fun 7 15 16 10 35 34
10 6 6 7 4 5 5 2 0 9 0 0 0 2 7 5 7 5 6 3
Better access Tried something new Because I need practice Just started or got back into it within past 5 years (i.e., could only increase) Better able to afford it More opportunities (not specific to access) Better health Other Don't know
No ex-shooters' participation increased; therefore, none were asked the question.
SHOOTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 4.8. Reasons That Target Shooting Participation Increased Crosstabulated by Participation Status
46
The surveys delved into another aspect of motivations in the question that asked about the advantages of going hunting or target shooting with somebody else (asked of those who go with somebody else at least some of the time). While not directly pertaining to motivations, it does shed light on a certain aspect of motivations for hunting and target shooting: camaraderie. In both surveys, when those who participated in hunting or target shooting with others were asked to name the advantages of hunting/target shooting with somebody else, they most commonly gave an answer (in open-ended questioning) related to camaraderie/being with family or friends (Figure 4.9). The next most common answer in both surveys related to safety in having a partner.
Q47. What are the advantages of going hunting with somebody else? (Asked of those who go hunting with somebody else at least part of the time.) (Open-ended.)
Simple camaraderie In case of accidents / have backup / safer with others Can cover a larger area / track more game / flush game
Q56. What are the advantages of going shooting with somebody else? (Asked of those who go shooting with somebody else at least part of the time.) (Open-ended.)
Simple camaraderie In case of accidents / have backup / safer with others More competition / more of a challenge
53
60
44
22
15
Help retrieving game / dressing game Help in general (did not specify flushing / retrieving game) Can mentor another or learn from another Able to pool resources / access to more land Other No answer / don't know
0
Can mentor another or learn from another Need more than one person for particular activity Help each other (outside of safety issues) Able to pool resources / access to more places to shoot
3
10
1.90 HUNTER SURVEY
1.71
SHOOTER SURVEY
1.16
Other No answer / don't know
0.60
4 20 40 60 80 100
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
Percent (n=2,078)
Percent (n=1,465)
Figure 4.9. Advantages of Hunting and Target Shooting With Others
The crosstabulation of these questions by participation status find that all three groups (active, intermittent, and ex) are about the same in their answers, with just slight differences (Figures 4.10 and 4.11). Active target shooters have a higher percentage of respondents giving a mentor-related response (13% mention teaching or learning from a mentor as an advantage of target shooting with somebody else, compared to no more than 6% of the other groups); otherwise, response rates do not vary much between the groups. In fact, for the most part, the responses rates are remarkably similar among the groups on these questions.
47
Q47. What are the advantages of going hunting with somebody else? (Asked of those who go hunting with somebody else at least part of the time.) (Open-ended.)
Simple camaraderie 54 54 51 47 45 41 7 6 6 5 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 1 2 1 1 1 3 5 5 0 20 40 60 80 100 Active (n=882) Intermittent (n=587) Ex (n=609)
In case of accidents / have backup / safer with others Can cover a larger area / track more game / flush game Multiple Responses Allowed
Help retrieving game / dressing game
Help in general (did not specify either flushing or retrieving game) Can mentor another or learn from another Able to pool resources / access to more land
Other
HUNTER SURVEY
No answer / don't know
Percent
Figure 4.10. Advantages of Hunting With Others, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
48
Q56. What are the advantages of going shooting with somebody else? (Asked of those who go shooting with somebody else at least part of the time.) (Open-ended.)
Simple camaraderie 20 21 25 16 15 13 13 5 6 4 2 2 4 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 0 4 5 4 0 20 40 60 80 100 Active (n=476) Intermittent (n=476) Ex (n=513) 60 63 61
In case of accidents / have backup / safer with others More competition / more of a challenge Multiple Responses Allowed Can mentor another or learn from another Need more than one person for particular activity Help each other (outside of safety issues) Able to pool resources / access to more places to shoot
Other
SHOOTER SURVEY
Percent
Figure 4.11. Advantages of Hunting With Others, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
49
One pre-survey conjecture was that active hunters and target shooters would have been invited to go hunting and target shooting more often than intermittent or ex-hunters and target shooters. The surveys supported this conjecture, finding that, of the three groups, active hunters and target shooters were the most likely to say that they are invited to go hunting/target shooting frequently, while ex-hunters and target shooters were the most likely to say that they are never invited (Figure 4.12).
Q49. In the past 5 years, how often would you say you were invited to go hunting by a friend or family member? Q60. In the past 5 years, how often would you say you were invited to go shooting by a friend or family member?
56
Frequently
28 22 27 21 13 17 22 2 3 6
43
42
Frequently
16
24
A few times
A couple of times
A few times
16 24 24 1 3 6
32 37 30
A couple of times
Once
Once
HUNTER SURVEY
Never / Not invited

1 1 1 0
6 8 22
Never / Not invited

1 1 2 0
8 11 22
SHOOTER SURVEY
Don't know
Don't know
20 40 60 80 100
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Percent
Figure 4.12. How Often Respondents Are Invited to Go Hunting or Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
Not surprisingly, active hunters and active target shooters were more likely, relative to intermittent and ex-participants, to take people up on their invitations. For instance, 34% of active hunters always go when invited, compared to no more than 22% of the other groups (Figure 4.13). Likewise, 39% of active target shooters always go when invited, compared to no more than 31% of the other groups (Figure 4.14).
50
Q50. About what percentage of the time would you say you went hunting when invited by those friends or family? (Asked of those who were invited to go hunting by a friend or family member.)
100%
16 8 10 8
22 21
34 Means Active = 73.48 Intermittent = 54.62 Ex = 35.60 Medians Active = 80 Intermittent = 50 Ex = 20
76%-99%
75%
3 4 5
51%-74%
50% 3 4 5 3 5 3 6
13 11
21 Active (n=861) Intermittent (n=577) Ex (n=500)
26%-49%
25%
1%-24% 4
14 17 10
HUNTER SURVEY
34
0%
Don't know 0
2 2 3 20 40 Percent 60 80 100
Figure 4.13. Percentage of Invitations to Go Hunting That Are Accepted, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
51
Q61. About what percentage of the time would you say you went shooting when invited by those friends or family? (Asked of those who were invited to go shooting by a friend or family member.)
100% 23
31 29 17 16 9 8
39 Means Active = 77.93 Intermittent = 67.40 Ex = 60.74 Medians Active = 90 Intermittent = 75 Ex = 75
76%-99%
75%
4 5 5
51%-74%
50% 1 3 2 1 2 2 6 9 7
14
19 20
26%-49%
25%
1%-24% 1
SHOOTER SURVEY
0%
15
Don't know 0
1 1 3 20 40 Percent 60 80 100
Figure 4.14. Percentage of Invitations to Go Target Shooting That Are Accepted, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
The surveys looked at another aspect of motivations for hunting and target shooting: things that might motivate somebody to go hunting and target shooting (or to go more). For this line of questioning, each survey asked a series of questions about things that might encourage the respondent to go hunting or target shooting. For each question, the respondent indicated whether the item would strongly encourage him/her, moderately encourage him/her, or not encourage him/her to go hunting or target shooting (or to go more). Then, the items were examined relative to each other. The order of the questions was randomized so that the respondents did not get all
52
the questions in the same order; this randomization eliminates order bias, which is the effect a question can have on subsequent questions. For the hunter survey, 24 questions were asked; the results are shown in Table 4.1, ranked by the percentages who say the items would strongly encourage them to go hunting or to go more. Addressing access was the top item among hunters overall, as well as more opportunities for hunting and more opportunities to take game. There was some interest shown in the lottery for winning a new firearm for purchasing a license, as well as for a mentoring license. Shading shows when a majority is in the table cell. Table 4.1. Things to Encourage Hunting Among All Hunters
Moderately Item that would strongly, moderately, or not encourage participation or more participation Q89. Being connected with priv. landowners in their area who are looking for hunters Q70. Getting an extra tag or taking additional game so that the meat could be donated to a Hunters for the Hungry campaign Q73. The hunting seasons provided additional days for hunting each year Q71. The purchase of a hunting license automatically entered them in a drawing for a new firearm Q72. Receiving information on under-utilized hunting locations near their home Q69. They could mentor family member or relative using special discounted license Q83. Wildlife management areas managed specifically to allow hunters to see a lot of game Q76. Having GPS unit that can tell them if they are on land where hunting is allowed Q75. A program that allowed public access to private lands Q88. Their state wildlife agency had shooting ranges in their area where they could practice before the hunting season Q68. They got coupons for equipment discounts with their hunting license Q74. Regulation changes that make it easier to take youth hunting, like areas limited to youth and mentors Q67. Some type of family license package Q84. Wildlife management areas managed for wilderness experiences Q85. Having convenient access to public hunting area manager to discuss questions about regulations, license requirements, places to hunt, and nearby businesses Q86. Having an online directory to guides, outfitters and game preserves where user reviews were posted to help them choose the best opportunity Q82. More wildlife management areas managed specifically for trophy animals Q80. Hunting opportunities were offered through their church, workplace, or club Q77. Daily bag limits were increased Q87. An experienced hunter was available to partner with them on the hunt Q79. They could meet members of a local rod and gun club who are familiar with the area for hunting trips or social gatherings Q90. They could borrow equipment, such as tree stands or decoys, to try different types of hunting Q78. They could attend skill seminars for species that they have not hunted Q81. A directory to local hunt clubs they could join Strongly or Moderately 65 66 60 62 61 63 60 55 54 53 60 52 46 54 52 45 39 48 38 40 43 35 39 35 Strongly
45 40 39 36 34 34 33 32 32 31 30 30 27 26 24 20 19 18 18 15 14 14 13 12
20 26 21 26 26 29 27 23 22 22 30 23 19 28 28 25 21 30 20 24 29 21 26 23
Not 34 33 40 37 38 36 38 44 44 46 39 46 52 44 47 54 59 50 60 58 56 64 60 65
53
The series of questions discussed above were crosstabulated by participation status, and this report first looks at active hunters. The report then will examine intermittent hunters and ex-hunters. Active hunters were much like hunters overall: access, opportunities for more days or more harvest, a drawing for a firearm, and mentoring were high on the list (Table 4.2). Shading shows when a majority is in the table cell. Table 4.2. Things to Encourage Hunting Among Active Hunters
Moderately Item that would strongly, moderately, or not encourage participation or more participation Q89. They could be connected with private landowners in their area who are looking for hunters Q73. The hunting seasons provided additional days for hunting each year Q70. They could get an extra tag or take additional game so that the meat could be donated to a Hunters for the Hungry campaign Q71. The purchase of a hunting license automatically entered them in a drawing for a new firearm Q72. Receiving information on under-utilized hunting locations near their home Q69. They could mentor a family member or relative using a special discounted license Q83. Wildlife management areas managed specifically to allow hunters to see a lot of game Q75. A program that allowed public access to private lands Q76. Having a GPS unit that can tell them if they are on land where hunting is allowed Q74. Regulation changes that make it easier to take youth hunting, like areas limited to youth and mentors Q88. Their state wildlife agency had shooting ranges in their area where they could practice before the hunting season Q68. They got coupons for equipment discounts with their hunting license Q85. Having convenient access to the public hunting area manager to discuss questions about regulations, license requirements, places to hunt, and nearby businesses Q67. Some type of family license package Q84. Wildlife management areas managed for wilderness experiences Q82. More wildlife management areas managed specifically for trophy animals Q86. Having an online directory to guides, outfitters and game preserves where user reviews were posted to help them choose the best opportunity Q80. Hunting opportunities were offered through their church, workplace, or club Q77. Daily bag limits were increased Q79. They could meet members of a local rod and gun club who are familiar with the area for hunting trips or social gatherings Q90. They could borrow equipment, such as tree stands or decoys, to try different types of hunting Q87. An experienced hunter was available to partner with them on the hunt Q78. They could attend skill seminars for species that they have not hunted Q81. A directory to local hunt clubs they could join Strongly or Moderately 74 73 75 71 68 70 73 62 63 66 59 69 62 55 65 54 55 60 48 51 42 47 45 42 Strongly
54 53 49 44 43 42 42 40 39 38 37 36 33 33 31 27 26 23 22 17 17 16 16 15
20 20 26 27 25 28 30 22 24 27 21 33 29 22 34 26 29 37 26 34 25 31 29 27
Not 26 27 25 28 32 28 26 36 36 33 41 31 36 45 33 45 43 39 50 48 58 51 53 57
54
Among intermittent hunters, access, more opportunities for harvest, having a GPS unit that can help with access, and wildlife management areas managed for more game were the top items in the list ranked by the percent who would be strongly encouraged (Table 4.3). Shading shows when a majority is in the table cell. Table 4.3. Things to Encourage Hunting Among Intermittent Hunters
Moderately Item that would strongly, moderately, or not encourage participation or more participation Q89. They could be connected with private landowners in their area who are looking for hunters Q70. They could get an extra tag or take additional game so that the meat could be donated to a Hunters for the Hungry campaign Q76. Having a GPS unit that can tell them if they are on land where hunting is allowed Q83. Wildlife management areas managed specifically to allow hunters to see a lot of game Q72. Receiving information on under-utilized hunting locations near their home Q71. The purchase of a hunting license automatically entered them in a drawing for a new firearm Q75. A program that allowed public access to private lands Q73. The hunting seasons provided additional days for hunting each year Q69. They could mentor a family member or relative using a special discounted license Q88. Their state wildlife agency had shooting ranges in their area where they could practice before the hunting season Q84. Wildlife management areas managed for wilderness experiences Q68. They got coupons for equipment discounts with their hunting license Q74. Regulation changes that make it easier to take youth hunting, like areas limited to youth and mentors Q85. Having convenient access to the public hunting area manager to discuss questions about regulations, license requirements, places to hunt, and nearby businesses Q67. Some type of family license package Q86. Having an online directory to guides, outfitters and game preserves where user reviews were posted to help them choose the best opportunity Q80. Hunting opportunities were offered through their church, workplace, or club Q82. More wildlife management areas managed specifically for trophy animals Q87. An experienced hunter was available to partner with them on the hunt Q77. Daily bag limits were increased Q90. They could borrow equipment, such as tree stands or decoys, to try different types of hunting Q78. They could attend skill seminars for species that they have not hunted Q81. A directory to local hunt clubs they could join Q79. They could meet members of a local rod and gun club who are familiar with the area for hunting trips or social gatherings Strongly or Moderately 68 73 63 66 68 63 62 68 69 57 59 69 53 58 47 48 49 45 44 39 38 43 38 45 Strongly
45 44 38 37 37 36 36 35 35 34 33 32 29 26 25 22 22 22 18 15 15 14 14 12
23 29 25 29 31 27 27 32 34 23 26 37 24 32 22 26 28 24 26 24 24 29 24 32
Not 32 26 37 33 31 36 35 31 29 42 39 31 45 42 51 50 49 53 55 59 61 56 62 54
Understanding Activities That Compete With Hunting and Target Shooting Among ex-hunters, the top items that would get them back into hunting include access, opportunities for more harvest or more days, a drawing for a firearm, and mentoring opportunities (Table 4.4). Shading shows when a majority is in the table cell. Table 4.4. Things to Encourage Hunting Among Ex-Hunters
Moderately Item that would strongly, moderately, or not encourage participation or more participation Q89. They could be connected with private landowners in their area who are looking for hunters Q70. They could get an extra tag or take additional game so that the meat could be donated to a Hunters for the Hungry campaign Q71. The purchase of a hunting license automatically entered them in a drawing for a new firearm Q73. The hunting seasons provided additional days for hunting each year Q72. Receiving information on under-utilized hunting locations near their home Q69. They could mentor a family member or relative using a special discounted license Q88. Their state wildlife agency had shooting ranges in their area where they could practice before the hunting season Q76. Having a GPS unit that can tell them if they are on land where hunting is allowed Q68. They got coupons for equipment discounts with their hunting license Q67. Some type of family license package Q75. A program that allowed public access to private lands Q83. Wildlife management areas managed specifically to allow hunters to see a lot of game Q74. Regulation changes that make it easier to take youth hunting, like areas limited to youth and mentors Q84. Wildlife management areas managed for wilderness experiences Q85. Having convenient access to the public hunting area manager to discuss questions about regulations, license requirements, places to hunt, and nearby businesses Q77. Daily bag limits were increased Q87. An experienced hunter was available to partner with them on the hunt Q80. Hunting opportunities were offered through their church, workplace, or club Q86. Having an online directory to guides, outfitters and game preserves where user reviews were posted to help them choose the best opportunity Q79. They could meet members of a local rod and gun club who are familiar with the area for hunting trips or social gatherings Q90. They could borrow equipment, such as tree stands or decoys, to try different types of hunting Q78. They could attend skill seminars for species that they have not hunted Q82. More wildlife management areas managed specifically for trophy animals Q81. A directory to local hunt clubs they could join Strongly or Moderately 56 55 54 44 51 53 47 46 48 37 43 45 38 42 40 28 31 37 34 36 27 32 24 27 Strongly
55
37 31 28 26 25 25 24 24 23 22 22 22 21 18 15 14 14 13 13 12 11 10 9 8
19 25 26 18 25 28 22 22 26 15 21 24 17 24 25 14 18 24 22 24 16 22 14 19
Not 43 44 46 56 47 46 52 54 51 60 55 52 61 57 60 70 66 61 65 63 72 67 75 72
56
In comparing active hunters, intermittent hunters, and ex-hunters on this series of questions, two findings are of particular interest: for almost every item, active hunters had a greater percentage saying that the item would strongly encourage them to go hunting, compared to intermittent and ex-hunters (in the two exceptions, intermittent hunters exceeded the active hunters by no more than 2 percentage points). In short, active hunters show the most propensity to be encouraged to go hunting. Conversely, on every item bar none, ex-hunters have the highest percentage who are not encouraged. Indeed, on 19 of the 24 items, a majority of ex-hunters would not be encouraged to participate. These findings are evident in looking at Figure 4.15 (Parts 1 through 3), showing all the crosstabulated questions at a glancethe graphs are small because the specific percentages are less important than the overall finding that the active hunters are almost always the most encouraged and the ex-hunters are always the least encouraged, as can be seen when looking at the graphs together.
Q67. What about some type of family license package? Q68. What about if you got coupons for equipment discounts with your hunting license? Q69. What about if you could mentor a family member or relative using a special discounted license?
33
Strongly encourage
25 22
Strongly encourage
Strongly encourage
35 25 Active (n=481) Intermittent (n=337) Ex (n=319) 34 28
22
Moderately encourage
15
28
22
33
37 26
45
Not encourage
31 51 60
28
Not encourage
31 51
Not encourage
29 46
Don't know
2 3
HUNTER SURVEY
Don't know
0 1
HUNTER SURVEY
HUNTER SURVEY
Don't know
2 1
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Percent
Percent
Q70. What if you could get an extra tag or take additional game so that the meat could be donated to a Hunters for the Hungry campaign?
Q71. What if the purchase of a hunting license automatically entered you in a drawing for a new firearm?
Q72. What about receiving information on under-utilized hunting locations near your home?
44 49 44 31 27
Strongly encourage
Strongly encourage
43
Strongly encourage
26 29 25
27 26
25
28
Not encourage
25 26 44
Not encourage
32 36 46
Not encourage
31 47
Don't know
1 0
HUNTER SURVEY
Don't know
0 0
HUNTER SURVEY
Don't know
0 2
HUNTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Percent
Percent
Figure 4.15 (Part 1). Items That Would Encourage Hunting Crosstabulated by Participation Status, Entire Series at a Glance
57
Q73. What about if the hunting seasons provided additional days for hunting each year?
Q74. What about regulation changes that make it easier to take youth hunting, like areas limited to youth and mentors?
Q75. What about a program that allowed public access to private lands?
40 53
Strongly encourage
Strongly encourage
38 29 21 Active (n=474) Intermittent (n=293) Ex (n=317) 27 24 17
Strongly encourage
22
22
20
21
27
36 27
Not encourage
31 56
Not encourage
33 45 61
Not encourage
35 55
Don't know
1 0
HUNTER SURVEY
Don't know
2 2
HUNTER SURVEY
Don't know
2 1
HUNTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Percent
Percent
Q76. What about having a GPS unit that can tell you if you are on land where hunting is allowed?
Q77. What about if daily bag limits were increased?
Q78. What if you could attend skill seminars for species that you have not hunted?
39
22
Strongly encourage
Strongly encourage
15 14
Strongly encourage
14 10 Active (n=441) Intermittent (n=304) Ex (n=341) 29 29 22
24
26
25 22
24 14
36
50
Not encourage
37 54
Not encourage
53 59 70
Not encourage
56 67
Don't know
1 1
HUNTER SURVEY
Don't know
1 2
HUNTER SURVEY
Don't know
1 1
HUNTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Percent
Percent
Q79. What if you could meet members of a local rod and gun club who are familiar with the area for hunting trips or social gatherings?
Q80. What if hunting opportunities were offered through your church, workplace, or club?
Q81. What about a directory to local hunt clubs you could join?
15 23
Strongly encourage
17 12 12 Active (n=434) Intermittent (n=305) Ex (n=339) 34 32 24
Strongly encourage
Strongly encourage
8
14 Active (n=451) Intermittent (n=296) Ex (n=344) 27
37
28 24
19
24
57
Not encourage
48 54 63
39
Not encourage
49 61
Not encourage
62 72
Don't know
2 2
HUNTER SURVEY
Don't know
1 2
HUNTER SURVEY
Don't know
0 1
HUNTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Percent
Percent
58
Q82. What about more wildlife management areas managed specifically for trophy animals?
Q83. What about wildlife management areas managed specifically to allow hunters to see a lot of game?
Q84. What about wildlife management areas managed for wilderness experiences?
42 27
Strongly encourage
Strongly encourage
37 22
31
Strongly encourage
30
26
24 14
24
29
34
26 24
45
26 53 75
Not encourage
Not encourage
33 33 52
Not encourage
39 57
Don't know
2 2
HUNTER SURVEY
Don't know
0 2
HUNTER SURVEY
HUNTER SURVEY
Don't know
2 1
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Percent
Percent
Q85. What about having convenient access to the public hunting area manager to discuss questions about regulations, license requirements, places to hunt, and nearby businesses?
33
Q86. What about having an online directory to guides, outfitters and game preserves where user reviews were posted to help you choose the best opportunity?
Q87. What if an experienced hunter was available to partner with you on the hunt?
Strongly encourage
16
Strongly encourage Strongly encourage

26 22 13
18 14
29
31 29 26 22 51 42 60 Active (n=458) Intermittent (n=340) Ex (n=346)
32 25
36
26 18
Not encourage
Not encourage
HUNTER SURVEY
43 50 65
Not encourage
55 66
Don't know
0 0
Don't know
2 1
HUNTER SURVEY
Don't know
1 3
HUNTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Percent
Percent
Q88. What about if your state wildlife agency had shooting ranges in your area where you could practice before the hunting season?
Q89. What if you could be connected with private landowners in your area who are looking for hunters?
Q90. What if you could borrow equipment, such as tree stands or decoys, to try different types of hunting?
54 37 34 24 20 Active (n=481) Intermittent (n=342) Ex (n=317)
Strongly encourage
45 37
Strongly encourage
Strongly encourage
17 15 11 Active (n=491) Intermittent (n=329) Ex (n=322)
21 23 22
23 19
25
24 16
26
Not encourage
41 42 52
Not encourage
32 43
Not encourage
HUNTER SURVEY
58 61 72
Don't know
0 2
HUNTER SURVEY
Don't know
0 2
Don't know
1 1
HUNTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Percent
Percent
59
All of the analyses conducted on the series of questions about things to encourage hunting were done on the analogous series of questions in the shooter survey about things to encourage target shooting. For the shooter survey, 16 questions were asked, and these results are shown in Table 4.5, ranked by the percentages who say the items would strongly encourage them to go target shooting or to go more. The top items include a no-cost range, a range that was neat/clean/well run, opportunities to take a youth target shooting, and discounted target shooting supplies with the payment of a range fee. Shading shows when a majority is in the table cell. Table 4.5. Things to Encourage Target Shooting Among All Target Shooters
Moderately Item that would strongly, moderately, or not encourage participation or more participation Q89. There was no cost to use a range Q88. A shooting range was clean, neat, and well run Q85. There were opportunities to take a youth shooting Q77. The fee they paid to use a range allowed them to get a discount for ammunition or other shooting supplies Q87. A shooting range encouraged them to attend and made them feel welcome to be there Q81. Nearby shooting areas were less crowded or had more shooting lanes Q79. Loaner firearms were available at a range for them to try, including types they haven't shot before Q90. Their local parks and recreation department offered a target shooting group class Q75. Some type of family day at a range Q84. There were opportunities to shoot clay targets in a non-competitive environment at their leisure Q86. Shooting opportunities were offered through their church, workplace, club Q80. A nearby range offered additional types of target shooting activities Q76. They got coupons for equipment discounts with the purchase of a pass at a range Q78. More shooting instruction or self-defense courses were available at a convenient range Q82. They could reserve a private time or place at the range for their family or friends Q83. There was a competitive shooting league offered nearby Strongly or Moderately 72 68 61 65 63 55 56 58 56 61 56 63 58 49 50 41 Strongly
54 42 36 33 32 32 31 29 29 29 28 28 25 25 25 17
18 26 25 32 31 24 26 28 27 32 27 35 33 24 25 24
Not 27 32 39 34 36 43 43 41 44 39 43 37 41 50 49 59
60
The series was crosstabulated by participation status. The results for active target shooters are shown in Table 4.6. Like target shooters overall, cost, having a range that was neat/clean/well run, opportunities to take a youth target shooting, and discounted shooting supplies with the range fee were all considered important. Having a less-crowded shooting range also was among the top items among active target shooters. Shading shows when a majority is in the table cell. Table 4.6. Things to Encourage Target Shooting Among Active Target Shooters
Moderately Item that would strongly, moderately, or not encourage participation or more participation Q89. There was no cost to use a range Q88. A shooting range was clean, neat, and well run Q85. There were opportunities to take a youth shooting Q81. Nearby shooting areas were less crowded or had more shooting lanes Q87. A shooting range encouraged them to attend and made them feel welcome to be there Q77. The fee they paid to use a range allowed them to get a discount for ammunition or other shooting supplies Q79. Loaner firearms were available at a range for them to try, including types they haven't shot before Q80. A nearby range offered additional types of target shooting activities Q84. There were opportunities to shoot clay targets in a non-competitive environment at their leisure Q86. Shooting opportunities were offered through their church, workplace, club Q75. Some type of family day at a range Q90. Their local parks and recreation department offered a target shooting group class Q78. More shooting instruction or self-defense courses were available at a convenient range Q76. They got coupons for equipment discounts with the purchase of a pass at a range Q82. They could reserve a private time or place at the range for their family or friends Q83. There was a competitive shooting league offered nearby Strongly or Moderately 78 75 72 62 69 74 65 73 68 64 60 63 57 67 58 50 Strongly
62 49 44 40 40 38 38 35 35 34 33 32 30 30 29 21
16 25 28 21 30 36 28 37 33 29 28 31 27 37 29 29
Not 21 25 27 37 30 25 35 27 32 35 40 37 42 33 41 49
61
Among intermittent target shooters, cost, having a range that was neat/clean/well run, opportunities to take a youth target shooting, discounted shooting supplies with the range fee, and a family day at a range were the top items (Table 4.7). Shading shows when a majority is in the table cell. Table 4.7. Things to Encourage Target Shooting Among Intermittent Target Shooters
Moderately Item that would strongly, moderately, or not encourage participation or more participation Q89. There was no cost to use a range Q88. A shooting range was clean, neat, and well run Q85. There were opportunities to take a youth shooting Q77. The fee they paid to use a range allowed them to get a discount for ammunition or other shooting supplies Q75. Some type of family day at a range Q90. Their local parks and recreation department offered a target shooting group class Q79. Loaner firearms were available at a range for them to try, including types they haven't shot before Q81. Nearby shooting areas were less crowded or had more shooting lanes Q84. There were opportunities to shoot clay targets in a non-competitive environment at their leisure Q86. Shooting opportunities were offered through their church, workplace, club Q87. A shooting range encouraged them to attend and made them feel welcome to be there Q76. They got coupons for equipment discounts with the purchase of a pass at a range Q80. A nearby range offered additional types of target shooting activities Q82. They could reserve a private time or place at the range for their family or friends Q78. More shooting instruction or self-defense courses were available at a convenient range Q83. There was a competitive shooting league offered nearby Strongly or Moderately 77 68 59 68 61 64 62 59 70 59 62 60 64 52 51 47 Strongly
58 44 38 35 35 34 33 33 33 30 29 28 28 26 24 18
19 24 22 33 26 30 29 26 37 29 33 32 36 26 27 29
Not 22 32 40 31 38 35 37 37 30 40 36 39 34 48 49 53
62
As for ex-target shooters, cost, having a range that was neat/clean/well run, opportunities to take a youth target shooting, target shooting classes, and discounted shooting supplies with the range fee were the top items (Table 4.8). Shading shows when a majority is in the table cell. Table 4.8. Things to Encourage Target Shooting Among Ex-Target Shooters
Moderately Item that would strongly, moderately, or not encourage participation or more participation Q89. There was no cost to use a range Q88. A shooting range was clean, neat, and well run Q85. There were opportunities to take a youth shooting Q90. Their local parks and recreation department offered a target shooting group class Q77. The fee they paid to use a range allowed them to get a discount for ammunition or other shooting supplies Q87. A shooting range encouraged them to attend and made them feel welcome to be there Q75. Some type of family day at a range Q79. Loaner firearms were available at a range for them to try, including types they haven't shot before Q86. Shooting opportunities were offered through their church, workplace, club Q81. Nearby shooting areas were less crowded or had more shooting lanes Q84. There were opportunities to shoot clay targets in a non-competitive environment at their leisure Q80. A nearby range offered additional types of target shooting activities Q82. They could reserve a private time or place at the range for their family or friends Q78. More shooting instruction or self-defense courses were available at a convenient range Q76. They got coupons for equipment discounts with the purchase of a pass at a range Q83. There was a competitive shooting league offered nearby Strongly or Moderately 61 58 47 48 51 55 47 43 44 45 48 50 39 38 45 26 Strongly
41 31 25 25 24 23 22 20 20 20 19 19 19 18 17 10
20 26 22 24 27 32 25 23 24 26 29 31 21 19 28 16
In the analogous comparison of active target shooters, intermittent target shooters, and ex-target shooters on this series of questions, two findings are of particular interest: for all items but two, active target shooters had a greater percentage saying that the item would strongly encourage them, compared to intermittent and ex-target shooters (in both exceptions, intermittent target shooters exceeded the active target shooters by no more than 2 percentage points). Ex-target shooters always had the lowest percentage being strongly encouraged, and ex-target shooters always had the highest percentage being not encouraged. In short, as with the hunter survey, the shooter survey found that active target shooters show the most propensity to be encouraged. These findings are evident in looking at Figure 4.16 (Parts 1 and 2), showing all the crosstabulated questions at a glance. Again, the graphs are small because the specific percentages are less important than the overall view. The major finding is that the active target shooters are almost always the most encouraged and the ex-target shooters are always the least encouraged.
Not 36 42 53 51 48 44 53 56 55 52 51 50 60 62 54 73
63
Q75. What about some type of family day at a range?
Q76. What about if you got coupons for equipment discounts with the purchase of a pass at a range?
Q77. What about if the fee you paid to use a range allowed you to get a discount for ammunition or other shooting supplies?
33
Strongly encourage
22
35 Active (n=374) Intermittent (n=351) Ex (n=399) 28
30
Strongly encourage
Strongly encourage
26 25
37
32 28
36 33 27
40
Not encourage
33 53
38
Not encourage
39 54
Not encourage
25 31 48
Don't know
1 0
SHOOTER SURVEY
Don't know
1 0
SHOOTER SURVEY
SHOOTER SURVEY
Don't know
1 1
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Percent
Percent
Q78. What about if more shooting instruction or self-defense courses were available at a convenient range?
Q79. What if loaner firearms were available at a range for you to try, including types you haven't shot before?
Q80. What if a nearby range offered additional types of target shooting activities?
30
Strongly encourage
18
24 Active (n=380) Intermittent (n=370) Ex (n=422) 27 27 19
Strongly encourage
35
Strongly encourage
28 29 23
37
36 31
42
Not encourage
49 62
Not encourage
35 37 56
27
Not encourage
34 50
Don't know
0 1
SHOOTER SURVEY
Don't know
1 1
SHOOTER SURVEY
Don't know
1 1
SHOOTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Percent
Percent
Q81. What if nearby shooting areas were less crowded or had more shooting lanes?
Q82. What if you could reserve a private time or place at the range for your family or friends?
Q83. What if there was a competitive shooting league offered nearby?
21 40 29
Strongly encourage
Strongly encourage
Strongly encourage
10
18
29
21
29 26
26
26 21
16
29
49 37 41
Not encourage
37 52
Not encourage
48 60
Not encourage
53 73
SHOOTER SURVEY
Don't know
4 2
Don't know
1 1
SHOOTER SURVEY
Don't know
0 1
SHOOTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Percent
Percent
Figure 4.16 (Part 1). Items That Would Encourage Target Shooting Crosstabulated by Participation Status, Entire Series at a Glance
64
Q84. What if there were opportunities to shoot clay targets in a non-competitive environment at your leisure?
Q85. What if there were opportunities to take a youth shooting?
Q86. What if shooting opportunities were offered through your church, workplace, club?
35
44
Strongly encourage
19
33
Strongly encourage
38
34
Strongly encourage
30 20 Active (n=378) Intermittent (n=378) Ex (n=414) 29
33
28
29
37
22 22
29 24
32
27
Not encourage
30 51
Not encourage
35 40 53
Not encourage
SHOOTER SURVEY
40 55
Don't know
0 1
SHOOTER SURVEY
Don't know
SHOOTER SURVEY
1 0
Don't know
1 1
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Percent
Percent
Q87. What if a shooting range encouraged you to attend and made you feel welcome to be there?
Q88. What if a shooting range was clean, neat, and well run?
Q89. What if there was no cost to use a range?
49 40
Strongly encourage
29 23 Active (n=384) Intermittent (n=380) Ex (n=417) 30 33 32
Strongly encourage
31
44
62
Strongly encourage
Active (n=380) Intermittent (n=377) Ex (n=418) 16
58 41
25
24 26
19 20
30
25 36 44
Not encourage
Not encourage
21 32 42
Not encourage
22 36
SHOOTER SURVEY
Don't know
2 1
Don't know
0 1
SHOOTER SURVEY
SHOOTER SURVEY
1
Don't know
1 3
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Percent
Percent
Q90. What about if your local parks and recreation department offered a target shooting group class?
32
Strongly encourage
34 25 Active (n=370) Intermittent (n=358) Ex (n=404) 31
30 24
37
Not encourage
35 51
Don't know
1 1
SHOOTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 4.16 (Part 2). Items That Would Encourage Target Shooting Crosstabulated by Participation Status, Entire Series at a Glance
65
Another question that gives insight into motivations asked about advantages that other activities have over hunting (in the hunting survey) and target shooting (in the shooting survey), among those who had indicated that there were other activities that had advantages over hunting and target shooting. As shown in Figure 4.17, a motivation for participating in activities is the ease/ability to do the activitieswhile this may seem rather obvious, it is important to note that hunters most commonly named advantage of an other activity is the ease of doing it. This is particularly true of intermittent and ex-hunters rather than active hunters, as shown in the crosstabulation in Figure 4.18. Again, being able to participate in an activity with the whole family is important among some hunters, particularly active hunters. Fun and exercise also show up in this graph as important motivations, and note in the crosstabulation graph that exercise is named by active hunters more often than it is by intermittent or ex-hunters. This latter finding, combined with findings about age/health being a constraint (this will be delved into in more detail in Chapter 5), suggests an ironic scenario among some hunters whereby they feel hunting does not provide enough exercise when they are young, but they gradually get to the age where hunting is too strenuous. These graphs are followed by the discussion of the analogous questions in the shooting survey.
66
Q96. What advantages do those other activities have over hunting? (Asked of those who say that other activities have advantages over hunting.) (Open-ended.)
Easier to do No seasonal / time-of-day restrictions Can include more family time More fun / more relaxing Offer more exercise
18 14 14 13 8 6 6 5 4 4 3 3 1.05 0.37 0.28 5 8 0 20 40 60 80 100
Don't have any access problems / are more accessible Cheaper Don't have to travel as far Don't require as much planning More friends do other activities Take less time Don't entail being in bad weather Safer More peaceful Don't need license / permission Other No answer / don't know
HUNTER SURVEY
Percent (n=1,062)
Figure 4.17. Advantages Other Activities Have Over Hunting
67
Q96. What advantages do those other activities have over hunting? (Asked of those who say that other activities have advantages over hunting.) (Open-ended.) (Shows all responses with at least 5% of total respondents.)
10
Easier to do
19 24 17 18 11 17 11 11 12 12 14 11 8 5 5 7 7 3
No seasonal / timeof-day restrictions Other activities can include more family time Other activities are more fun / more relaxing Other activities offer more exercise Don't have any access problems / are more accessible
Cheaper
6 3 4
HUNTER SURVEY
Don't have to travel as far
20
40 Percent
60
80
100
Figure 4.18. Advantages Other Activities Have Over Hunting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
In the shooting survey, commonly named advantages that other activities have over target shooting (among those who said that other activities had advantages) include being more enjoyable, offering more exercise, and being able to be done with family (Figure 4.19). Ease of the other activities is of less importance in the shooting survey relative to the hunting survey.
68
The obvious implications are that exercise is an important motivation for participating in activities and that being with family is an important motivation. The crosstabulation in Figure 4.20 finds that the different groupsactive, intermittent, and exare about the same in naming advantages of other activities with a couple of exceptions. The exceptions are that the family-related answer is more often given by active and intermittent target shooters compared to ex-target shooters, and the easier-to-do answer is more often given by ex-target shooters.
Q96. What advantages do those other activities have over shooting? (Asked of those who say that other activities have advantages over shooting.) (Open-ended.)
They are more enjoyable They provide more exercise They are cheaper They have better access / are closer to home More family can participate
29 12 12 10 9 7 6 5 4 3 2 1.90 1.74 1.08 0.74 4 2 0 20 40 60 80 100
They are less physical / easier They provide food They are more convenient More in the outdoors More friends do it They are more exciting / challenging They are not seasonally restricted They are perceived to be safer They require less equipment / already have equipment for other activity They entail less time Other No answer / don't know
SHOOTER SURVEY
Percent (n=765)
Figure 4.19. Advantages Other Activities Have Over Target Shooting
69
Q96. What advantages do those other activities have over shooting? (Asked of those who say that other activities have advantages over shooting.) (Open-ended.) (Shows all responses with at least 5% of total respondents.)
They are more enjoyable They are cheaper They provide more exercise They have better access / are closer to home More family can participate They are less physical / easier They provide food They are more convenient 0 11 14 11 14 13 10 10 8 11 12 12 5 3 7 12 7 4 6 6 5 4 20
27 31 31
SHOOTER SURVEY
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 4.20. Advantages Other Activities Have Over Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
70
A question that is similar to the question just discussed was asked of those respondents who had indicated in a precursor question that some other activity had become more interesting to them than hunting (in the hunting survey) or target shooting (in the shooting survey). It reiterates many of the results above. Most commonly, hunters who said that another activity became more interesting than hunting gave as a reason that the other activity was more enjoyable/more interesting (Figure 4.21). Other reasons include that the other activity was easier (about a third of those who gave the easier response mentioned it in context of age/health), that they could go with their whole family, and that it offered more exercise. Many of the remaining reasons pertained to some constraint to hunting rather than to a motivation for doing the other activity. (So as to not lose any data on this question, many categories of answers were created in the analysis, albeit given by small percentages of respondents; therefore, the results are shown on two graphs.)
Q109. What were the reasons that these other activities won out over hunting? (Asked of those who said another activity became more interesting to them than hunting.) (Open-ended.) (Part 1)
Enjoy it more / have more interest in other activities Easier (but did not mention age or health) Can go with family Easier (specifically mentioned age or health) Does not have seasonal / time restrictions Lost interest in hunting Better / easier access Necessity (e.g., have to work, school) Offer better exercise / more physical Is cheaper / costs less Requires less planning More friends do it
32 14 8 8 6 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 0 20 40 60 80 100
HUNTER SURVEY
Percent (n=442)
Figure 4.21 (Part 1). Reasons Other Activities Won Out Over Hunting
71
Don't need to be out in bad weather Requires less time Don't need to kill / don't like to kill animals Is perceived to be safer
2 2 2 2 1.56 1.16 0.98 0.61 0.53 0.52 0.50 5 4 0 20 40 60 80 100
Enjoy it more (specifically mentioned more exciting or more challenging) Can do it alone / don't need partners Don't need to travel as far Has fewer restrictions Don't have hunting equipment Can't legally own firearm Don't need license Other Don't know / no answer
HUNTER SURVEY
Percent (n=442)
Figure 4.21 (Part 2). Reasons Other Activities Won Out Over Hunting
72
The crosstabulation shows some interesting differences in groups defined by their participation status (Figure 4.22). Active hunters were more likely than intermittent or ex-hunters to say that other activities offered more exercise. On the other hand, none of the active hunters gave as a reason that they can go with the whole family; this was a response given by intermittent and ex-hunters in about even percentages. (Access also shows some differences among groups, but this is really more of a constraint to hunting rather than a motivation to participate in other activities.)
Enjoy it more / have more interest in other activities Easier (but did not mention age or health) Can go with family Easier (specifically mentioned age or health) Multiple Responses Allowed Does not have seasonal / time restrictions Better / easier access Offer better exercise / more physical Necessity (e.g., have to work, school) Is cheaper / costs less Lost interest in hunting Don't need to be out in bad weather Requires less time Don't need to kill / don't like to kill animals
0 9 3 7 8 10 9 15 11 32 32 39
4 6 6 5 3 5 3 4 3 4 6 11
12
11
2 0 0
3 4 2 3 5 2 0 2 5
HUNTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 4.22 (Part 1). Reasons Other Activities Won Out Over Hunting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
73
More friends do it Requires less planning Enjoy it more (specifically mentioned more exciting or more challenging) Is perceived to be safer Multiple Responses Allowed Don't need to travel as far Can do it alone / don't need partners Has fewer restrictions Don't have hunting equipment Can't legally own firearm Don't need license Other Don't know / no answer
3.73 3.31 2.39 0.00 2.24 2.87 0.00 2.17 1.59 0.00 0.00 2.50 0.00 3.07 0.73 0.00 0.38 1.38 0.00 1.92 0.46 3.43 0.38 0.32 0.00 0.00 0.65 0.00 0.00 0.62 7.38 5.67 4.72 0.00 5.22 4.42
HUNTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 4.22 (Part 2). Reasons Other Activities Won Out Over Hunting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
74
Target shooters were asked about reasons that other activities won out over target shooting. Most commonly, target shooters who said that another activity became more interesting than target shooting gave as a reason that the other activity was more enjoyable (Figure 4.23). Other reasons pertaining to motivations include that the whole family can participate, that the other activity is easier, and that it offers more exercise. Many of the remaining reasons pertained to some constraint to target shooting rather than to a motivation for doing the other activity.
Q109. What were the reasons that these other activities won out over shooting? (Asked of those who said another activity became more interesting to them than shooting.) (Open-ended.)
They are more enjoyable / more fun Family can participate They are less active / easier They have better access More people to do them with They are more active / provide exercise They are cheaper
34 13 6 6 6 3 3 3 2 2 1.85 1.69 1.67 1.42 1.41 1.37 1.17 1.14 0.91 7 9 0 20 40 60 80 100
They are more convenient Different / something new They require less time They don't have seasonal / time restrictions They are more in the outdoors They are more exciting Weather-related answer (e.g., can do it in all weather) They provide food They are more peaceful They offer more opportunities (not specific to access) They are more challenging / more competition They are safer Other No reason given / don't know
SHOOTER SURVEY
Percent (n=473)
Figure 4.23. Reasons Other Activities Won Out Over Target Shooting
75
The crosstabulation found a few notable differences. Active target shooters were the most likely of the three groups to say that another activity won out over target shooting because there were more people with whom to do the other activitypointing to camaraderie as a top motivation for participating in activities (Figure 4.24).
Q109. What were the reasons that these other activities won out over shooting? (Asked of those who said another activity became more interesting to them than shooting.) (Open-ended.) (Part 1)
They are more enjoyable / more fun Family can participate They are less active / easier They have better access More people to do them with They are cheaper They are more active / provide exercise More convenient They require less time Different / something new They are more in the outdoors 0
4 17 12 11 9 8 8 8 13 31 38 34
2 3 2 3 1 7
5 4
2 1 4 2 1 3 2 1 3 3 3 1
SHOOTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 4.24 (Part 1). Reasons Other Activities Won Out Over Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
76
Q109. What were the reasons that these other activities won out over shooting? (Asked of those who said another activity became more interesting to them than shooting.) (Open-ended.) (Part 2)
More exciting They don't have seasonal / time restrictions Weather-related answer (e.g., can do it in all weather) Multiple Responses Allowed They provide food
0.92 1.08 2.41 3.80 1.53 0.55 1.13 1.97 1.46 1.05 0.86 1.82 2.13 1.56 0.72 0.92 0.00 1.83 1.13 0.00 1.29 1.62 0.54 0.49 8.63 5.18 5.28 10.64 11.20 6.76
More peaceful
More challenging / more competition More opportunities (not specific to access) Safer
Other
SHOOTER SURVEY
No reason given / don't know 0
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 4.24 (Part 2). Reasons Other Activities Won Out Over Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
77
A final question pertaining to motivations used a close-ended questioning format. The surveys read 12 items to hunters and target shooters. For each item, the respondent indicated if he/she regularly does any activity that offers the item more so than does hunting or target shooting. Specifically, the survey went as follows (each survey used identical wording with the exception of either hunting or shooting): Some activities are preferred over (hunting/shooting) because they offer greater benefits of thrills, while others are preferred because they have fewer hassles associated with them. Compared to (hunting/shooting), please tell me if you regularly do other recreational activities that... o Offer more thrills? o That offer more benefits? o That offer more exercise? o That are cheaper? o etc. (The survey included 12 items.) It is important to note that this question was closed-ended, meaning the list was read to respondents, requiring each respondent to give an opinion on each item. (Many of the other questions in this chapter were open-ended, allowing any response that came to mind.) The results of this line of questioning in Figure 4.25, as they pertain to motivations, suggest that certain percentages of hunters are motivated to participate in other activities for camaraderie with family and friends (43% of hunters said that they regularly do activities other than hunting that are preferred by family members and friends), for a different experience (38%), for more exercise (33%), for thrills (29%), to be part of a group in which they are comfortable (28%), for benefits of some sort (26%), and for the challenge (22%). (The remaining items in the list pertain to constraints.) The crosstabulation of this question for those items in the list pertaining to motivations found that motivations do not greatly differ between active hunters, intermittent hunters, and ex-hunters (Figure 4.26). The items that have the greatest difference among groups pertain more to constraints to hunting rather than motivations for participating in other activities; these are discussed in more detail in the next chapter of the report. In examining differences between urban, suburban, and rural hunters, some findings stand out. Suburban hunters are more likely than urban and rural hunters to regularly participate in activities that offer more benefits (32% of suburban hunters, compared to 22% of urban and 20% of rural hunters). Both urban and suburban hunters are more likely than rural hunters to participate in other activities that offer new experiences and to participate in other activities that do not have as many hassles.
78
Q112. Some activities are preferred over hunting because they offer greater benefits or thrills, while others are preferred because they have fewer hassles associated with them. Compared to hunting, please tell me if you regularly do other recreational activities that...
Have fewer seasonal restrictions Are preferred by family members or friends Are cheaper Offer new or different experiences Multiple Responses Allowed Offer more exercise Are safer Don't have as many hassles Don't involve as much travel Offer more thrills Allow you to be with people you're more comfortable with Offer more benefits Are more challenging None of these 0 44 43 38 38 33 33 33 32 29 28 26 22 20 20 40 60 80 100
List was read to respondents, who could answer to "yes" to all that applied.
HUNTER SURVEY
Percent (n=2,228)
Figure 4.25. Reasons Other Activities May Be Preferred Over Hunting
79
Q112. Some activities are preferred over hunting because they offer greater benefits or thrills, while others are preferred because they have fewer hassles associated with them. Compared to hunting, please tell me if you regularly do other recreational activities that...
Have fewer seasonal restrictions Are preferred by family members or friends Are cheaper Offer new or different experiences Multiple Responses Allowed Are safer Offer more exercise Don't involve as much travel Don't have as many hassles Offer more thrills Allow you to be with people you're more comfortable with Offer more benefits Are more challenging None of these 0
29 35 43 42 44 48 40 38 37 44 54
38 40 36 40
32 35 34 32 29 26 39
40 37
27 32 30 25 31 29
25 26 27 21 27 22
21 16 19
HUNTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 4.26. Reasons Other Activities May Be Preferred Over Hunting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
80
Among target shooters in this line of questioning, as they pertain to motivations, the results in Figure 4.27 suggest that certain percentages of target shooters are motivated to participate in other activities for more exercise (54%by far the top answer among target shooters), for a different experience (47%), for camaraderie with family and friends (42%), for benefits of some sort (35%), for thrills (34%), for the challenge (33%), and to be part of a group in which they are comfortable (26%). (The remaining items in the list pertain to constraints.) The crosstabulation of this question for those items in the list pertaining to motivations found that motivations among target shooters differ among groups identified by participation status (Figure 4.28). In particular, doing other activities that offer more exercise is a response more often given by active target shooters than by intermittent or ex-target shooters. Likewise, active target shooters more often participate in other activities that offer a different experience, compared to intermittent and ex-target shooters. Otherwise, the remaining responses related to motivations do not greatly differ among the groups.
Q112. Some activities are preferred over shooting because they offer greater benefits or thrills, while others are preferred because they have fewer hassles associated with them. Compared to shooting, please tell me if you regularly do other recreational activities that...
Offer more exercise Offer new or different experiences Are cheaper Are preferred by family members or friends Multiple Responses Allowed Offer more benefits Offer more thrills Are more challenging Have fewer seasonal restrictions Are safer Don't involve as much travel Allow you to be with people you're more comfortable with Don't have as many hassles None of these 0 14 20 40 60 80 100 54 47 43 42 35 34 33 29 28 28 26 26 List was read to respondents, who could answer to "yes" to all that applied.
SHOOTER SURVEY
Percent (n=1,541)
Figure 4.27. Reasons Other Activities May Be Preferred Over Target Shooting
81
Q112. Some activities are preferred over shooting because they offer greater benefits or thrills, while others are preferred because they have fewer hassles associated with them. Compared to shooting, please tell me if you regularly do other recreational activities that...
Offer more exercise Offer new or different experiences Are cheaper Are preferred by family members or friends Multiple Responses Allowed Offer more benefits Offer more thrills Are more challenging Don't involve as much travel Are safer Have fewer seasonal restrictions Allow you to be with people you're more comfortable with Don't have as many hassles None of these 0
13 14 15 24 28 34 27 27 32 30 27 28 24 23 31 25 24 27 58 53 48 51 45 41 45 42 40 42 42 43 34 38 36 33 35 36 34 35 32
SHOOTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 4.28. Reasons Other Activities May Be Preferred Over Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
82
CHAPTER 5: CONSTRAINTS TO PARTICIPATING IN ACTIVITIES, DISSATISFACTIONS WITH ACTIVITIES, AND REASONS FOR DECREASED AVIDITY
The previous chapter looked at motivations for participating in and satisfactions derived from activities. Chapter 5 looks at constraints to activities, particularly hunting and target shooting. The first examination of constraints will use the graphs shown in the previous chapter of the report in which 12 items were read to respondents, who indicated if they participated in activities that offered those items over hunting or target shooting (Figures 4.25 through 4.28 previously presented). As those figures showed, important constraints to participation in hunting include that it is seasonal (44% of hunters said that they do other activities that do not have seasonal restrictions), the cost (38% do activities that are cheaper), that hunting is perceived to be unsafe (33%), that hunting has hassles associated with it (33%), and that hunting involves too much travel (32%) (Figure 4.25 previously presented). The crosstabulation of that question showed that the seasonality of hunting is a particular constraint to intermittent hunters, compared to active hunters (54% of intermittent hunters said that they participate in activities that have fewer seasonal restrictions, compared to 43% of active hunters) (Figure 4.26 previously presented). Meanwhile, active hunters are not as concerned as are intermittent hunters or ex-hunters about the safety of hunting (only 29% of active hunters participate in activities that are safer than hunting, compared to 40% of intermittent hunters and 35% of ex-hunters). Likewise, the hassles of hunting are of less importance to active hunters than they are to intermittent and ex-hunters (only 26% of active hunters participate in activities that have fewer hassles than hunting, compared to 40% of intermittent hunters and 37% of ex-hunters). Finally, too much travel is more of a concern to intermittent hunters than it is to active hunters or ex-hunters: 39% of intermittent hunters participate in activities that involve less travel, compared to 32% of active hunters and only 29% of ex-hunters. Another examination of the data looked at differences among urban, suburban, and rural hunters. Urban hunters were more likely than were suburban or rural hunters to cite seasonal/time restrictions and to say that hunting takes too much time. In a perhaps related finding, urban hunters also are more likely than their counterparts to cite weather as a hassle with hunting. The shooting survey found that cost (43%) is the most important constraint (Figure 4.27 previously presented). This is followed by seasonal restrictionsbecause there are not actual seasons associated with target shooting as there are in hunting, it is assumed that target shooters were referring to the weather being too cold to comfortably target shoot (29%), safety concerns (28%), too much travel associated with target shooting (28%), and hassles associated with target shooting (26%). The crosstabulation found that the most marked differences existed in the travel response among target shooters (Figure 4.28 previously presented). While only 24% of active target shooters indicated participating in other activities that involve less travel, 28% of intermittent target shooters and 34% of ex-target shooters said this.
83
In those previous questions, one of the items in the list that was read to respondents was whether they participated in other activities (other than hunting or target shooting) that dont have as many hassles. Respondents who indicated participating in activities that do not have as many hassles were asked in a follow-up question to name the hassles associated with hunting (in the hunting survey) or with target shooting (in the shooting survey). The results directly pertain to constraints. As shown in Figure 5.1, the top hassles associated with hunting among the respondents who got this question include access issues (other than just the distance), travel distance, the amount of preparation, the cost and the effort of getting licenses and permits, the amount of time hunting itself takes, various perceived issues with the regulations and restrictions, the weather, the costs, and the need for equipment/maintenance of equipment.
Q113. You said that you do recreational activities other than hunting that have fewer hassles. What hassles are associated with hunting? (Asked of those who do other recreational activities that have fewer hassles than does hunting.) (Open-ended)
Access issues Travel distance Needing to plan / amount of preparation Getting a license / permits / cost of license / permits The amount of time it takes Regulations / restrictions
29 14 11 10 9 9 8 8 7 6 5 5 5 5 4 3 1.85 1.04 0.37 0.32 2 4 0 20 40 60 80 100
Weather-related answer re: having to be outside during fall / winter Costs (in general or other than for license) Need for equipment / maintaining equipment Hunting is physically demanding Seasonal / time restrictions Getting up early Danger / poor behavior of other hunters Getting the animal out of the woods / dressing / skinning Overcrowding Having to pack things in / carry camp stuff Lack of game / chance of not harvesting Is not family-oriented Checking game Anti-hunting sentiment Other Don't know
HUNTER SURVEY
Percent (n=728)
Figure 5.1. Perceived Hassles Associated With Hunting
84
In the crosstabulation of the hassles question, ex-hunters were the most likely to complain of access issues (other than travel distance), but the difference between groups is small (Figure 5.2). On the other hand, ex-hunters were the most likely to name as a hassle that hunting is physically demanding. With so many responses listed, these results are shown in two graphs.
Q113. You said that you do recreational activities other than hunting that have fewer hassles. What hassles are associated with hunting? (Asked of those who do other recreational activities that have fewer hassles than hunting.) (Open-ended.) (Part 1)
Access issues Travel distance Needing to plan / amount of preparation Getting a license / permits / cost of license / permits The amount of time it takes Weather-related answer re: having to be outside during fall / winter Regulations / restrictions Costs (in general or other than for license) Need for equipment / maintaining equipment Hunting is physically demanding Getting up early Getting the animal out of the woods / dressing / skinning 26 26 32 9 19 17
13 10 10 7 11 14
8 11 9 8 11 7 7 8 12
5 11 8 6 6 7 3 4 9
HUNTER SURVEY
6 6 4 3 7 5
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 5.2 (Part 1). Perceived Hassles Associated With Hunting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
85
Q113. You said that you do recreational activities other than hunting that have fewer hassles. What hassles are associated with hunting? (Asked of those who do other recreational activities that have fewer hassles than hunting.) (Open-ended.) (Part 2)
Seasonal / time restrictions 7.52 3.11 3.83 4.92 3.54 4.27 4.67 2.01 5.54 2.19 3.44 2.59 2.57 2.13 1.27 1.24 0.00 1.24 0.00 0.34 0.64 0.64 0.00 0.21 1.99 2.41 2.70 2.39 3.47 1.13 4.82 2.71 2.89
Overcrowding
Danger / poor behavior of other hunters Having to pack things in / carry camp stuff Lack of game / chance of not harvesting
Is not family-oriented
Checking game
Anti-hunting sentiment Answer not applicable / not a hassle intrinsic to hunting (e.g., family obligations) Other
HUNTER SURVEY
Don't know
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 5.2 (Part 2). Perceived Hassles Associated With Hunting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
86
The same question about hassles was asked in the shooter survey. The most commonly named hassles associated with target shooting were access, cost, getting and maintaining equipment, the poor behavior of other shooters, that target shooting is time-consuming, crowding, and having to pack/travel/set-up to go target shooting (Figure 5.3).
Q113. You said that you do recreational activities other than shooting that have fewer hassles. What hassles are associated with shooting? (Asked of those who do other recreational activities that have fewer hassles than does shooting.) (Open-ended.)
Access Cost Getting equipment / maintaining equipment Safety / behavior of other shooters Time-consuming Crowding Packing equipment and travelling and set-up (but not an access problem) Hard to find somebody to go with Anti-firearm attitudes of others Requires too much planning Weather-related answer Noise Answer not applicable / not a hassle intrinsic to shooting (e.g., family obligations) Other No answer / don't know
49 15 12 10 7 5 5 3 3 3 2 1.97 3 2 5 0 20 40 60 80 100
SHOOTER SURVEY
Percent (n=386)
Figure 5.3. Perceived Hassles Associated With Target Shooting
The crosstabulation showed similar results between the groups. There was a slightly lower percentage of ex-target shooters, compared to active and intermittent target shooters, who named getting and maintaining equipment as a hassle, and ex-target shooters were also less likely to name crowding as a hassle with target shooting (Figure 5.4).
87
Q113. You said that you do recreational activities other than shooting that have fewer hassles. What hassles are associated with shooting? (Asked of those who do other recreational activities that have fewer hassles than does shooting.) (Open-ended.)
Access Cost Getting equipment / maintaining equipment Safety / behavior of other shooters Time-consuming Crowding Packing equipment and travelling and set-up (but not an access problem) Requires too much planning Hard to find somebody to go with Noise Weather-related answer Anti-firearm attitudes of others Answer not applicable / not a hassle intrinsic to shooting (e.g., family obligations) Other No answer / don't know
5 16 15 14 15 17
50 45 50
8 9
12 10
9 8 7 8
6 4 6 2 2 2 2 1 5
3 3
3 1 2 0 2 5
3 3 4 2 4 2 4 6 5
SHOOTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 5.4. Perceived Hassles Associated With Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
Many additional questions in the surveys pertained to constraints, including many open-ended questions asking about reasons for not hunting/target shooting in some years but not others (for those who did not hunt/target shoot every year of the past 5 years), reasons for participation
88
decreases in recent years (among those whose participation decreased), reasons hunting or target shooting was not a top activity (of those who did not name it as one of their three top outdoor activities), and potential reasons for doing activities other than hunting or target shooting (among those who named hunting or target shooting as one of their three top outdoor activities). The first of those open-ended questions to be examined is the question regarding reasons for not hunting or target shooting in all 5 of the past 5 years. As Figure 5.5 shows, the most important constraints to hunting participation are social reasons: lack of time/other obligations (37% of hunters who did not hunt all 5 previous years gave this as a reason why) and age/health (23%). Other important constraints are a loss of interest in hunting (10%), access problemsone of the few non-social constraints (7%), cost (6%), and lack of a hunting partner (5%). A crosstabulation by location found that age/health to be less of a problem among urban hunters compared to suburban and rural hunters. On the other hand, access was more of an issue for urban hunters.
Q24. Is there a specific reason why you hunt in some years but not others? (Asked of those who did not hunt all 5 of the past 5 years.) (Open-ended.)
Lack of time / work, family, and/or school obligations Age / health No longer enjoy hunting as much / losing interest Access problems Cost / can't afford it Don't have anybody to hunt with
37 23 10 7 6 5 1.65 1.30 1.22 1.11 0.72 0.59 0.51 0.48 0.48 0.42 0.39 0.32 2 10 0 20 40 60 80 100
Lack of opportunity / can't get tags / didn't get draw Other activities Depends on amount of game Moved Weather Hunting areas too crowded No longer have hunting dog(s) Have enough game meat / don't like meat much Doesn't like some aspect of regulations (e.g., low bag limit, seasons too short) Hunting is not convenient Can't have firearms (either a felon or wife forbids it) Equipment problems / lack of equipment Other Don't know / no reason given
HUNTER SURVEY
Percent (n=1,544)
Figure 5.5. Reasons for Not Hunting All 5 of the Past 5 Years
89
The crosstabulation of this question by participation status is interesting in that active hunters are the most likely of the three groups (active, intermittent, and ex) to claim that time constraints or other obligations prevent their hunting every year (Figure 5.6). Otherwise, for every major constraint, active hunters are the least likely to say it is a reason for not hunting every year. In particular, age/health is a much greater problem among ex-hunters and intermittent hunters than among active hunters.
Q24. Is there a specific reason why you hunt in some years but not others? (Asked of those who did not hunt all 5 of the past 5 years.) (Open-ended.) (Shows only responses given by at least 5% of all respondents to the question.)
Lack of time / work, family, and/or school obligations
51 40 32
16
Age / health
20 27
No longer enjoy hunting as much / losing interest
1 4 14
Access problems
8 7
Cost / can't afford it
6 6
HUNTER SURVEY
Don't have anybody to hunt with
4 5 5
20
40
60 Percent
80
100
Figure 5.6. Reasons for Not Hunting All 5 of the Past 5 Years, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
90
The same top five reasons given by hunters for not hunting every year were given by target shooters as reasons for not target shooting every year: time constraints/other obligations (28% of target shooters who did not target shoot every year of the past 5 years gave this reason), age/health (16%), loss of interest (11%), lack of access (6%), and cost (5%) (Figure 5.7). Again, social reasons predominate.
Q22. Is there a specific reason why you shoot in some years but not others? (Asked of those who did not shoot all 5 of the past 5 years.) (Open-ended.)
Time constraints / obligations Age / health Lack of or losing interest / did not feel like going Access Cost
28 16 11 6 5 4 3 2 1.57 1.31 0.62 0.49 0.32 3 24 0 20 40 60 80 100
Don't feel the need to shoot every year / just shoot when need to sight gun Nobody to go with Participate in other activities No opportunity (not specific to access) Just started or got back into it within past 5 years (i.e., could not shoot all 5 years) Don't own firearm Not convenient Weather Other Did not give reason
SHOOTER SURVEY
Percent (n=1,042)
Figure 5.7. Reasons for Not Target Shooting All 5 of the Past 5 Years
91
The crosstabulation could only compare intermittent and ex-target shooters, as active target shooters were not asked the question. Nonetheless, age/health was a greater problem among ex-target shooters than among intermittent target shooters (Figure 5.8). On the other hand, time constraints were worse among intermittent target shooters than among ex-target shooters.
Q22. Is there a specific reason why you shoot in some years but not others? (Asked of those who did not shoot all 5 of the past 5 years.) (Open-ended.)
Time constraints / obligations Age / health Lack of or losing interest / did not feel like going Access Cost 4 6 6 4 5 5 4 4 3 2 2 0 4 10 19 32 26
13
Intermittent (n=493) Ex (n=549)
Don't feel the need to shoot every year / just shoot when need to sight gun Nobody to go with Participate in other activities Just started or got back into it within past 5 years (i.e., could not shoot all 5 years) No opportunity (not specific to access) Don't own firearm Not convenient Weather Other Did not give reason
Active shooters were not asked the question.
2 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 3 3 28 22
SHOOTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 5.8. Reasons for Not Target Shooting All 5 of the Past 5 Years, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
92
The results above are reiterated by the questions asking about reasons for participation declines over the past 5 years, among those whose participation in hunting and target shooting declined. Figure 5.9 shows the results of the hunting survey, and Figure 5.10 shows the crosstabulation of that question by participation status. Time constraints/other obligations, age/health, loss of interest, lack of access, cost, and lack of hunting partners are the major constraints.
Q28. Why did your amount of hunting decrease? (Asked of those whose amount of hunting decreased.) (Open-ended.)
Had less time / more obligations Age / health Lost interest Had less access / land was closed Cost
37 30 10 8 7 5 4 1.76 1.41 0.83 0.83 0.45 0.43 0.36 0.34 1.89 1.53 0 20 40 60 80 100
Lost hunting partners / lack of people to go with Lack of game Other interests Dislike some aspect of regulations / game management Crowding / too many other hunters or recreationists Weather was bad Can't have firearms anymore Don't have dogs anymore Moved to different state / don't know where to hunt Don't have equipment or it is in disrepair Other Don't know / no answer
HUNTER SURVEY
Percent (n=1,239)
Figure 5.9. Reasons for Participation Decreases in Hunting
93
Q28. Why did your amount of hunting decrease? (Asked of those whose amount of hunting decreased.) (Open-ended.)
Had less time / more obligations Age / health Lost interest Had less access / land was closed Cost
3 9 7 8 8 8 9 6 4 4 5 5 3 3 2 3 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 14
34 33 29 28
40 39
Lost hunting partners / lack of people to go with Lack of game Other interests Dislike some aspect of regulations / game management Weather was bad Moved to different state / don't know where to hunt Crowding / too many other hunters or recreationists Don't have dogs anymore Can't have firearms anymore Don't have equipment or it is in disrepair Other Don't know / no answer
HUNTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 5.10. Reasons for Participation Decreases in Hunting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
94
In the shooting survey, these questions found that the important constraints were time constraints, age/health, and cost (Figure 5.11). The crosstabulation found that cost was a much greater concern to active target shooters than to intermittent and ex-target shooters (among target shooters whose participation had declined over the past 5 years) (Figure 5.12).
Q50. Why did your amount of sport shooting decrease? (Asked of those whose amount of shooting decreased.) (Open-ended.)
Time constraints Age / health Cost Lack of access Multiple Responses Allowed Other interests / activities Nobody to go with Not interested / losing interest Moved to new area and don't know where to go Availability of ammunition Did not / does not have firearm Other No reason / don't know 0 5 5 3 2 2 1.29 0.72 1.96 1.51 20 40 60 80 100 18 30 40
SHOOTER SURVEY
Percent (n=306)
Figure 5.11. Reasons for Participation Decreases in Target Shooting
95
Q50. Why did your amount of sport shooting decrease? (Asked of those whose amount of shooting decreased.) (Open-ended.)
Time constraints Age / health Cost Lack of access Multiple Responses Allowed Other interests / activities Nobody to go with Not interested / losing interest Moved to new area and don't know where to go Did not / does not have firearm Availability of ammunition Other No reason / don't know 0
22 16 6 4 7 9 5 5 4 1 5 10 1 5 2 3 2 0 0 1 4 2 1 0 2 3 0 2 1 4 40 37 43 32 28 30
SHOOTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 5.12. Reasons for Participation Decreases in Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
96
Another question that delved into constraints to hunting and target shooting participation asked those who did not name hunting (in the hunting survey) or target shooting (in the shooting survey) as one of their three top outdoor activities why it is not a top activity. This reiterates the previous findings about constraints: lack of time/other obligations (26%), age/health (23%), lack of interest (14%), access issues (7%), and cost (6%) are again important constraints to hunting participation (Figure 5.13). One new finding in this question is that the fourth-ranked item was other activities (11% gave this answer). In other words, only about 1 in 10 hunters who did not name hunting as a top activity are doing other activities instead; otherwise, a variety of reasons prevent hunting from being a top activity.
Q93. You mentioned that you went hunting but did not mention hunting as being one of your top three outdoor activities. What are the reasons that hunting is not one of your top activities? (Asked of those who went hunting but did not indicate that hunting is a top activity.) (Open-ended.)
Lack of time / other obligations Age / health Lack of interest Other activities Access issues Cost
26 23 14 11 7 6 4 3 1.75 0.98 0.90 0.52 0.48 0.46 0.46 0.41 0.21 0.16 3 8 0 20 40 60 80 100
Nobody to go with Because of seasons / only can do part of the year Lack of game Dislike some aspect of regulations Crowding Poor behavior of other hunters Don't have equipment or it is in disrepair Can't have firearm Weather Don't like the meat / don't eat game Don't get draw Dog died / dog old / don't have dogs Other Don't know / no answer
HUNTER SURVEY
Percent (n=1,132)
Figure 5.13. Reasons That Hunting Is Not a Top Activity
97
The crosstabulation of this question by participation status finds some differences in responses (Figure 5.14). Not surprisingly, age/health is more of a problem for intermittent and especially ex-hunters than it is to active hunters. One interesting finding is that doing other activities instead of hunting was mentioned more often by active hunters than by intermittent or ex-hunters, suggesting that active hunters are simply more active in all outdoor recreation compared to their counterparts.
Q93. You mentioned that you went hunting but did not mention hunting as being one of your top three outdoor activities. What are the reasons that hunting is not one of your top activities? (Asked of those who went hunting but did not indicate that hunting is a top activity.) (Open-ended.) (Shows only those responses given by at least 3% of respondents.)
22 27 26 13 Age / health 21 25 4
Lack of time / other obligations
Lack of interest
12 16 17
Other activities
12 10 8 7 6 3 3 7 2
Access issues
Cost
Nobody to go with 4 Because of seasons / only can do part of the year
HUNTER SURVEY
12
5 2
20
40 Percent
60
80
100
Figure 5.14. Reasons That Hunting Is Not a Top Activity, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
98
The shooter survey asked target shooters whose top activities did not include target shooting to say why target shooting was not a top activity. The top answer in Figure 5.15 is time constraints (18% of target shooters whose top activities did not include target shooting). Following that, the next most common answer is that target shooting was not named as a top activity because it is done in conjunction with huntingin short, hunting is the primary activity with target shooting being an ancillary activity (15%). Also at 15% is that other activities take primacy over target shooting, with a third of that 15% doing fishing as one of the other activities. Other constraints that have turned up prior to this question are here as well: cost, lack of interest, age/health, and access.
Q93. You mentioned that you went shooting but did not mention shooting as being one of your top three outdoor activities. What are the reasons that shooting is not one of your top activities? (Asked of those who went shooting but did not indicate that shooting is a top activity.) (Open-ended.)
Time constraints Do it in conjunction with hunting Other activities (excludes when hunting is the sole "other" activity) Cost Not interested in doing it more Age / health
18 15 15 11 10 9 6 5 1.24 1.20 1.16 1.00 0.78 0.59 0.48 0.21 0.20 1.91 17 0 20 40 60 80 100
Access issues Mentioned fishing in response (subset of "Other activities") Requires too much planning / difficult in general / hassles Just do it to sight in the gun or when get new gun Nobody to go with Weather-related answer / seasonal (including winter being too cold) Lack of opportunities (not specific to access) Don't own firearm Don't want to waste ammunition Safety concerns Not physical enough Other No reason given / don't know
SHOOTER SURVEY
Percent (n=1,407)
Figure 5.15. Reasons That Target Shooting Is Not a Top Activity
99
The differences in the crosstabulation by participation status finds that target shooting in conjunction with hunting is a more common answer among active target shooters than among intermittent or ex-target shooters (Figure 5.16). Age/health is an answer more commonly given by ex-target shooters than by active target shooters.
Q93. You mentioned that you went shooting but did not mention shooting as being one of your top three outdoor activities. What are the reasons that shooting is not one of your top activities? (Asked of those who went shooting but did not indicate that shooting is a top activity.) (Open-ended.) (Shows only those responses given by at least 5% of respondents.)
Time constraints
16 22 19 15 19 14 21
Other activities (excludes when hunting is the sole "other" activity)
Do it in conjunction with hunting
11 9 11 13 10 6
Cost
Not interested in doing it more

4
10 15
Age / health
8 16 6 5 7 5 5 5
Access issues
SHOOTER SURVEY
Mentioned fishing in response (subset of "Other activities") 0
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 5.16. Reasons That Target Shooting Is Not a Top Activity, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
100
The question that was discussed above was asked of those who did not list hunting (in the hunting survey) or target shooting (in the shooting survey) as one of their top three outdoor activities. A similar question was asked of those who did list hunting or target shooting as one of their top activities: the respondent was asked in an open-ended question about any possible reasons that they might do other activities instead of hunting or target shooting. Strictly speaking, the question does not necessarily have to pertain to constraints to hunting or target shooting participationin answer to the open-ended question, the respondent could have instead made a positive statement about another activity, and some respondents did thisbut most responses pertained to a constraint to hunting or target shooting participation. In the hunting survey, the top answer is a positive statement about another activity (they enjoy the other activities more or have more interest in the other activities), but many of the remaining answers pertained to a constraint to hunting participation: because hunting is seasonal, hunting does not include the whole family, the weather could be bad during hunting trips, hunting takes a lot of time, access issues, cost of licenses and ammunition and equipment, crowding, and safety concerns (Figure 5.17). The crosstabulation of the question finds slight differences on a few responses. Figure 5.18 shows that possible enjoyment of other activities as a reason hunters might participate in other activities was given as an answer more often by intermittent hunters than by active hunters. Also, intermittent hunters more often than active hunters said that age/health might prompt them to participate in other activities.
101
Q94. You mentioned that hunting is one of your top activities. Can you tell me any reasons that you might do other activities instead of hunting? (Asked of those who indicated that hunting is a top activity.) (Open-ended.)
Enjoy other activities more / have more interest in other activities Because hunting is seasonal / can't do it all the time Other activities can include whole family If the weather was bad Because I have to / obligated to do other things Because other things take less time than hunting
26 12 7 4 3 3 2 2 2 1.97 1.94 1.49 1.25 0.75 0.51 0.26 0.26 0.19 3 33 0 20 40 60 80 100
Access issues Other activities offer more exercise If cost of license or ammo increases / cost of other things was less Because other activities are more convenient Age / health problems make hunting difficult Friends or family do other things Because other activities are closer to home / easier to get to If game were scarce If I lost interest in hunting Crowding If I did not like some aspect of regulations Poor behavior of other hunters / safety concerns Other Don't know / no answer
HUNTER SURVEY
Percent (n=1,092)
Figure 5.17. Possible Reasons Why Hunters Might Participate in Other Activities
102
Q94. You mentioned that hunting is one of your top activities. Can you tell me any reasons that you might do other activities instead of hunting? (Asked of those who indicated that hunting is a top activity.) (Open-ended.) (Shows only those responses given by at least 2% of respondents.)
Enjoy other activities more / have more interest in other activities
24 33
Because hunting is seasonal / can't do it all the time
13 11
Other activities can include whole family
7 5
If the weather was bad
4 3
Because I have to / obligated to do other things
3 3
Because other things take less time than hunting
3 6
Age / health problems make hunting difficult
1 6
No respondents with the "ex" status received question.
Access issues
2 2
If cost of license or ammo increases / cost of other things was less
2 3
HUNTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 5.18. Possible Reasons Why Hunters Might Participate in Other Activities, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
103
In the shooting survey, the results about possible reasons for doing other activities are similar to the results in the hunting survey. Target shooters most commonly said that a possible reason is that some other activities may be more enjoyable or more interestingthe top answer by far with many succeeding reasons being constraints to target shooting participation: other activities can include the whole family, access issues, cost of ammunition, because target shooting is seasonal (Figure 5.19). The crosstabulation shows that active and intermittent target shooters are remarkably similar in responses, with one exception: some intermittent target shooters mentioned that other activities provide more exercise than target shooting, while no active target shooters gave that answer (Figure 5.20).
Q94. You mentioned that shooting is one of your top activities. Can you tell me any reasons that you might do other activities instead of shooting? (Asked of those who indicated that shooting is a top activity.) (Open-ended.)
Enjoy other activities more / have more interest in other activities Other activities can include whole family Because I have to / obligated to do other things Access issues
35 6 5 4 4 3 3 1.96 1.35 1.32 1.28 3 37 0 20 40 60 80 100
Friends or family do other things If cost of ammo increases / cost of other things was less Because shooting is seasonal / can't do it all the time Age / health problems make shooting difficult Other activities offer more exercise If the weather was bad Because other activities are more convenient Other Don't know / no answer
SHOOTER SURVEY
Percent (n=134)
Figure 5.19. Possible Reasons Why Target Shooters Might Participate in Other Activities
104
Q94. You mentioned that shooting is one of your top activities. Can you tell me any reasons that you might do other activities instead of shooting? (Asked of those who indicated that shooting is a top activity.) (Open-ended.)
Enjoy other activities more / have more interest in other activities Other activities can include whole family Because I have to / obligated to do other things Other activities offer more exercise 1 0 6 7 6 35 37
Friends or family do other things If cost of ammo increases / cost of other things was less Because shooting is seasonal / can't do it all the time Access issues Because other activities are more convenient If the weather was bad Age / health problems make shooting difficult Other Don't know / no answer
4 2 3 3 3 2 0 4
1 2 1 2 3 0 3 3 36 42
SHOOTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 5.20. Possible Reasons Why Target Shooters Might Participate in Other Activities, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
105
On question directly pertained to the amount of time available to go hunting and target shooting. Each survey asked respondents if non-recreational activities take time that they previously used for hunting/target shooting. About a third of hunters and a fourth of target shooters reported such time constraints (Figure 5.21). Certainly, then, time constraints remain problematic for a substantial portion of hunters and target shooters.
Q102. Do non-recreational activities take time that you previously used for hunting? Q102. Do non-recreational activities take time that you previously used for shooting?
Yes
33
Yes
28
No
66
No
71
SHOOTER SURVEY
Don't know
HUNTER SURVEY
Don't know
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
Percent (n=2,228)
Percent (n=1,541)
Figure 5.21. Non-Recreational Activities Taking Time Away From Hunting and Target Shooting
The crosstabulations of these questions found some notable differences between groups (active, intermittent, and ex) in the hunting survey, but not the shooting survey. In the hunting survey, intermittent and ex-hunters were more likely than were active hunters to say that nonrecreational activities take time away from hunting (Figure 5.22). This did not hold true for the shooting survey (also Figure 5.22).
106
Q102. Do non-recreational activities take time that you previously used for hunting?
Q102. Do non-recreational activities take time that you previously used for shooting?
29
30 41 35
Yes
Yes
27 26
71
69
No
59 64
No
72 74
1 HUNTER SURVEY
Don't know
0 1
Don't know
1 1
SHOOTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Percent
Figure 5.22. Non-Recreational Activities Taking Time Away From Hunting and Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
Finally, while discussing constraints, recall in Figure 4.21 shown in Chapter 4 that some respondents discussed a constraint to hunting rather than a motivation for participating in other activities, when they were asked why other activities had won out over hunting, and the top constraints include not being able to participate in hunting with the whole family, seasonal restrictions, access, and costs. Also recall in Figure 4.23 shown in Chapter 4 that some respondents discussed a constraint to target shooting rather than a motivation for participating in other activities, regarding why other activities had won out. The top constraints include not being able to participate in target shooting with the whole family and access issues.
107
CHAPTER 6: ACTIVITIES THAT COMPETE WITH HUNTING AND TARGET SHOOTING

In addition to discussing participation in outdoor activities, motivations for participating, and constraints to participation, the surveys asked very specific questions about whether other activities had replaced hunting and target shootingthe very heart of this study. One question simply asked respondents if recreational activities other than hunting (in the hunting survey) and target shooting (in the shooting survey) had taken time that they had previously used for hunting/ target shooting. The results show that a quarter of hunters and just less than a quarter of target shooters say that other recreational activities take time away from hunting and target shooting (Figure 6.1).
Q97. Do recreational activities other than hunting take time that you previously used for hunting? Q97. Do recreational activities other than shooting take time that you previously used for shooting?
Yes
25
Yes
22
No
74
No
77
Don't know
1 HUNTER SURVEY
Don't know
SHOOTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
Percent (n=2,228)
Percent (n=1,541)
Figure 6.1. Recreational Activities Taking Time Away From Hunting and Target Shooting
The crosstabulation shows that ex-hunters and intermittent hunters are more likely than are active hunters to say that other recreational activities take time away from hunting (Figure 6.2). The shooter crosstabulation does not find great differences in groups; in particular, active target shooters and ex-target shooters are about the same.
108
Q97. Do recreational activities other than hunting take time that you previously used for hunting?
Q97. Do recreational activities other than shooting take time that you previously used for shooting?
19
22 27 31
Yes
Yes
19 24
80
78
No
73 68
No
74
81
0 HUNTER SURVEY
Don't know
1 1
Don't know
1 1
SHOOTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Percent
Figure 6.2. Recreational Activities Taking Time Away From Hunting and Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
Three more questions delved into activities that are replacing hunting and target shooting, all of them open-ended questions. The first of those three questions asked respondents (in follow-up to the above question) to name the activities in which they participated that were taking time away from hunting and target shooting. Among hunters, the most commonly named activity taking time away from hunting is fishingthe top answer by far among those who said an activity was taking time from hunting (Figure 6.3). This is followed by two other nature-based activities: hiking and camping. Other activities named by at least 5% of respondents to this question include golf, boating and related activities like water skiing, snow sports, and bicycling/mountain biking. Because many activities were named (the question was open-ended, and respondents could name any activity that came to mind), even responses given by small percentages are shown on the graph, which, by necessity, is in two parts.
109
Q100. What were the activities that took time that you previously used for hunting? (Asked of those who participated in activities that took time away that they previously used for hunting.) (Open-ended.) (Part 1)
Fishing Camping Hiking Golfing Boating or water skiing or water tubing
38 12 10 8 7 6 5 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 2 0 20 40 60 80 100
Snow sports Bicycling or mountain biking Anything with his/her children / family-oriented activities Field sports, such as football, soccer, or lacrosse Fitness exercises, such as jogging, trail walking, etc. Baseball or softball Gardening Off-highway driving / using an ATV Motocross / motorcycle riding / dirt biking Visiting a state or national park
HUNTER SURVEY
Percent (n=554)
Figure 6.3 (Part 1). The Recreational Activities That Took Time Away From Hunting
110
Swimming outdoors in a pool or natural body of water
1.90
Horseback riding / horse-related activities
1.49 1.43
Cruising / driving / site-seeing by automobile
Basketball
1.41 1.07
Scouting (boy, cub, girl, etc.)
Shooting
1.05 0.95
Auto racing / auto repair / auto restoration
Church activities
0.76 0.68
Photography
HUNTER SURVEY
Other
12 0.91 0 20 40 60 80 100
Don't know
Percent (n=554)
Figure 6.3 (Part 2). The Recreational Activities That Took Time Away From Hunting
111
One crosstabulation of data by location (urban, suburban, or rural) found that urban hunters more often gravitated to boating and camping than did suburban or rural hunters. Urban and suburban hunters were more likely than rural hunters to say that hiking took time previously used for hunting. Another crosstabulation of the above question found that the most marked difference occurs in fishing participation, among those who got the question (they had to have previously indicated that another recreational activity took time away from hunting): ex-hunters have the highest percentage naming fishing as an other recreational activity, and active hunters have the lowest Figure 6.4). Other minor differences occur in field sports (not done much by ex-hunters) and fitness exercises (done the most by intermittent hunters).
Fishing Camping Hiking Golfing Multiple Responses Allowed Boating or water skiing or water tubing Bicycling or mountain biking Snow sports Anything with his/her children / family-oriented activities Field sports, such as football, soccer, or lacrosse Fitness exercises, such as jogging, trail walking, etc. Off-highway driving / using an ATV Baseball or softball Motocross / motorcycle riding / dirt biking 0
9 7 14 13 25 32 46
10 12
8 7 8 7 8 7 5 8 8
5 4 4
6 6 8
1 1
3 3 6 6
HUNTER SURVEY
3 1 1 3 3
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 6.4 (Part 1). The Recreational Activities That Took Time Away From Hunting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
112
Gardening Swimming outdoors in a pool or natural body of water Horseback riding / horse-related activities Visiting a state or national park Multiple Responses Allowed Cruising / driving / site-seeing by automobile Shooting Basketball Scouting (boy, cub, girl, etc.) Auto racing / auto repair / auto restoration Church activities Photography Other Don't know 0
0.08 1.31 5.38 2.57 3.57 1.05 1.92 3.16 0.78 1.92 0.30 2.92 2.59 0.80 0.90 1.08 2.60 0.60 2.13 0.90 1.11 0.63 1.40 1.24 1.90 0.50 0.50 0.00 0.66 1.24 0.00 0.00 1.27 13.69 12.74 10.09 1.41 0.50 0.72
HUNTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 6.4 (Part 2). The Recreational Activities That Took Time Away From Hunting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
113
The shooter survey likewise asked about recreational activities that may have taken time away from target shooting, as shown in Figure 6.5. Target shooters most common other activities are nearly the same as hunters common activities. Target shooters activities include fishing (the top answer by far), camping, hiking, golf, boating and related activities, and familyoriented activities (a perhaps somewhat odd activity that was, nonetheless, named by many target shooters in this open-ended question). A few named ATV-riding, and a few named hunting.
Q100. What were the activities that took time that you previously used for shooting? (Asked of those who participated in activities that took time away that they previously used for shooting.) (Open-ended.) (Part 1)
Fishing Camping Hiking Golfing Boating or water skiing or water tubing
44 15 13 11 9 6 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 2 2 0 20 40 60 80 100
Family-oriented activities Off-highway driving / riding an ATV Hunting Baseball or softball Basketball Bicycling or mountain biking Motocross / motorcycle riding / dirt biking Gardening / landscaping Snow sports Fitness exercises, such as jogging, trail walking, etc.
SHOOTER SURVEY
Percent (n=340)
Figure 6.5 (Part 1). The Recreational Activities That Took Time Away From Target Shooting
114
Auto racing / repair / restoration 1.90
Swimming outdoors in a pool or natural body of water Field sports, such as football, soccer, or lacrosse Multiple Responses Allowed Horseback riding / horse-related activities
1.32
1.07
1.06
Training dogs
1.02
Archery
0.96
Site-seeing in automobile / cruising around
0.82
SHOOTER SURVEY
0.71
Home improvement
Visiting a state or national park
0.46
20
40
60
80
100
Percent (n=340)
Figure 6.5 (Part 2). The Recreational Activities That Took Time Away From Target Shooting
115
The crosstabulation did not find great differences among groups on this question. Golf was named by slightly more ex-target shooters than active target shooters, whereas boating and boating-related activities as a category was named by active target shooters more often than by ex-target shooters (Figure 6.6).
Fishing Camping Hiking Golfing
17 15 14 15 14 10 7 12 15 13 42 43 47
Boating or water skiing or water tubing Family-oriented activities Baseball or softball Off-highway driving / riding an ATV Hunting Fitness exercises, such as jogging, trail walking, etc. Bicycling or mountain biking Basketball Motocross / motorcycle riding / dirt biking Snow sports
5 4 7 5 6 5 6
5 3 4 1 1 3 2 5 4 6
5 3
3 4 1 2 1 4 2 2 3
SHOOTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 6.6 (Part 1). The Recreational Activities That Took Time Away From Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
116
Gardening / landscaping Auto racing / repair / restoration Field sports, such as football, soccer, or lacrosse Site-seeing in automobile / cruising around
2.78 1.35 2.39 2.06 0.00 2.11 1.68 2.55 0.00 0.04 2.20 1.50 1.47 0.05 1.32 1.13 1.20 0.75 1.13 1.35 0.61 0.76 0.00 1.32 0.00 0.00 1.68 0.71 0.85 0.00 1.13 1.10 3.58 2.35 1.95 2.73 1.10 3.15 1.16
Swimming outdoors in a pool or natural body of water Horseback riding / horse-related activities Training dogs Archery Home improvement Visiting a state or national park No answer / did not name outdoor activity Other Don't know
SHOOTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 6.6 (Part 2). The Recreational Activities That Took Time Away From Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
117
Each survey also asked respondents about activities that may have become more interesting to them than hunting (in the hunting survey) and target shooting (in the shooting survey), among those who did not name hunting or target shooting as one of their three top activities. The survey first asked those respondents if any activity had become more interesting than hunting or target shooting, then it asked the follow-up question wherein respondents named those more interesting activities. In the initial question, 41% of hunters and 33% of target shooters indicated that another activity had become more interesting (Figure 6.7).
Q104. Would you say that another activity became more interesting to you than hunting? (Asked of those who did not name hunting as a top activity.) Q104. Would you say that another activity became more interesting to you than shooting? (Asked of those who did not name shooting as a top activity.)
Yes
41
Yes
33
No
58
No
65
Don't know
HUNTER SURVEY
Don't know
SHOOTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
Percent (n=1,133)
Percent (n=1,407)
Figure 6.7. Whether Another Activity Became More Interesting to Respondent Than Hunting or Target Shooting
The crosstabulation did not find much of a difference between groups defined by their participation status (active, intermittent, and ex) in the hunting survey, but in the shooting survey, ex-target shooters were the most likely to say that another activity had become more interesting (Figure 6.8).
118
Q104. Would you say that another activity became more interesting to you than hunting? (Asked of those who did not name hunting as a top activity.)
Q104. Would you say that another activity became more interesting to you than shooting? (Asked of those who did not name shooting as a top activity.)
36
Yes
37 42
26
Yes
33 40
63 72
No
56
62
No
57
65
3 HUNTER SURVEY
Don't know
1 2
Don't know
2 3
SHOOTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Percent
Figure 6.8. Whether Another Activity Became More Interesting to Respondent Than Hunting or Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
The results regarding the particular activities reiterate those results shown above regarding activities that took time away from hunting and target shooting. These more interesting activities are shown in Figures 6.9 through 6.12.
119
Q107. What were the activities that became more interesting to you than hunting? (Asked of those who said another activity became more interesting to them than hunting.) (Open-ended.) (Part 1)
Fishing Golfing Camping Bicycling or mountain biking Hiking
40 10 7 6 5 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 0 20 40 60 80 100
Family-oriented activities Motocross / motorcycle riding / dirt biking Gardening Shooting Boating or water skiing or water tubing Off-highway driving / using an ATV Snow sports Baseball or softball Travel / site-seeing / RV Fitness exercises, such as jogging, trail walking, etc.
HUNTER SURVEY
Percent (n=442)
Figure 6.9 (Part 1). The Recreational Activities That Became More Interesting Than Hunting
120
Playing music Field sports, such as football, soccer, or lacrosse Horseback riding / horse-related activities Auto racing / auto repair / restoration
1.72 1.65 1.53 1.28 1.24 0.83 0.73 0.69 0.48 0.45 0.36 0.36 5 6 0 20 40 60 80 100
Photography Basketball Swimming outdoors in a pool or natural body of water Woodworking Computer games / video games Landscaping / working on house Visiting a state or national park Flying planes Other Don't know
HUNTER SURVEY
Percent (n=442)
Figure 6.9 (Part 2). The Recreational Activities That Became More Interesting Than Hunting
121
Fishing Golfing Camping Bicycling or mountain biking Hiking Multiple Responses Allowed Family-oriented activities Gardening Motocross / motorcycle riding / dirt biking Shooting Off-highway driving / using an ATV Boating or water skiing or water tubing Snow sports Baseball or softball Travel / site-seeing / RV Field sports, such as football, soccer, or lacrosse 0
0 6 10 12 10 11 9 14 24 29
43
5 2
9 7
5 7
3 4
7 5 3 4 3 4 4 4 7 5 8
2 3 0 4 2 4 2
HUNTER SURVEY
0 1 3 4 3 1
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 6.10 (Part 1). The Recreational Activities That Became More Interesting Than Hunting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
122
Fitness exercises, such as jogging, trail walking, etc. Playing music Horseback riding / horse-related activities Auto racing / auto repair / restoration Multiple Responses Allowed Photography Landscaping / working on house Basketball Woodworking Swimming outdoors in a pool or natural body of water Computer games / video games Visiting a state or national park Flying planes Other Don't know 0
6.56 1.17 1.62 3.73 2.01 1.50 6.91 2.08 1.00 7.16 1.81 0.71 0.00 0.20 1.50 0.00 1.89 0.26 2.52 0.00 0.82 0.00 0.65 0.75 0.00 0.00 0.90 0.00 0.00 0.59 0.00 0.00 0.44 0.00 0.00 0.44 4.14 10.96 4.75 10.81 5.20 5.82
HUNTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 6.10 (Part 2). The Recreational Activities That Became More Interesting Than Hunting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
123
Q107. What were the activities that became more interesting to you than shooting? (Asked of those who said another activity became more interesting to them than shooting.) (Open-ended.) (Part 1)
Fishing Golfing Hunting Camping Multiple Responses Allowed Hiking Boating or water skiing or water tubing Family-oriented activities Bicycling or mountain biking Snow sports Motocross / motorcycle riding / dirt biking Gardening / landscaping Fitness exercises, such as jogging, trail walking, etc. Archery 0 7 7 5 5 4 3 3 2 2 2 2 20 40 60 80 100 11 45
SHOOTER SURVEY
Percent (n=473)
Figure 6.11 (Part 1). The Recreational Activities That Became More Interesting Than Target Shooting
124
Auto racing / repair / restoration Basketball Swimming outdoors in a pool or natural body of water Baseball or softball
1.96 1.78 1.50 1.38 1.28 0.95 0.93 0.88 0.88 0.63 0.30 9 2 0 20 40 60 80 100
Off-highway driving / riding an ATV Training dogs Site-seeing in automobile / cruising around Field sports, such as football, soccer, or lacrosse Walking Horseback riding / horse-related activities
Visiting a state or national park Other Don't know
SHOOTER SURVEY
Percent (n=473)
Figure 6.11 (Part 2). The Recreational Activities That Became More Interesting Than Target Shooting
125
Fishing Golfing Hunting Camping Multiple Responses Allowed Boating or water skiing or water tubing Hiking Family-oriented activities Bicycling or mountain biking Snow sports Fitness exercises, such as jogging, trail walking, etc. Archery Gardening / landscaping Motocross / motorcycle riding / dirt biking Auto racing / repair / restoration 0
6 12 14 41 44 48
8 8 6 6 5 5 5 7 10
8 5 3 5 2 4 2 3 4 3 5
2 0
4 3
2 2 3 2 2 3 3 1 2 3 1 2
SHOOTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 6.12 (Part 1). The Recreational Activities That Became More Interesting Than Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
126
Basketball Baseball or softball Swimming outdoors in a pool or natural body of water Off-highway driving / riding an ATV Multiple Responses Allowed Site-seeing in automobile / cruising around Training dogs Field sports, such as football, soccer, or lacrosse Horseback riding / horse-related activities Walking Visiting a state or national park No answer / did not name outdoor activity Other Don't know 0
3.46 0.86 0.84 2.54 1.56 0.49 1.42 0.00 1.91 1.63 0.80 1.27 0.00 0.77 1.77 1.62 1.56 0.35 0.92 0.54 1.11 0.71 1.53 0.35 0.00 0.00 1.62 0.00 0.54 0.45 2.04 4.60 3.18 10.04 10.08 8.42 2.75 1.31 2.07
SHOOTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 6.12 (Part 2). The Recreational Activities That Became More Interesting Than Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
127
While the above questions asked about recreational activities, another question asked about non-recreational activities. For hunters and target shooters, typical non-recreational activities that take time away from hunting or target shooting primarily include work and family obligations, with little difference found in the crosstabulations by participation status. These graphs are shown in Figures 6.13 through 6.16.
Q103. What were the non-recreational activities that took time that you previously used for hunting? (Asked of those who indicated that non-recreational activities took time away that they previously used for hunting.) (Open-ended.)
Work Family obligations School Landscaping / working on yard / working on house / home improvement Church-related activities Gardening Altruistic activities / volunteering Cutting firewood / forestry-related activities Cooking / baking Other No answer / don't know / did not name non-recreational activity 0 6 6 3 0.60 0.44 0.33 0.31 4 10 20 40 60 80 100 16 62
HUNTER SURVEY
Percent (n=760)
Figure 6.13. The Non-Recreational Activities That Took Time Away From Hunting
128
Q103. What were the non-recreational activities that took time that you previously used for hunting? (Asked of those who indicated that non-recreational activities took time away that they previously used for hunting.) (Open-ended.)
Work Family obligations School Landscaping / working on yard / working on house / home improvement Church-related activities Altruistic activities / volunteering Gardening Cutting firewood / forestry-related activities Cooking / baking Other No answer / don't know / did not name non-recreational activity 0
6 7 5 3 6 8 4 4 16 17 15 65 63 59
0 2 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 5 3 5 10 9 11
HUNTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent
Figure 6.14. The Non-Recreational Activities That Took Time Away From Hunting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
129
Q103. What were the non-recreational activities that took time that you previously used for shooting? (Asked of those who indicated that non-recreational activities took time away that they previously used for shooting.) (Open-ended.)
Work / business
65
Family activities / obligations / household chores Multiple Responses Allowed
21
Gardening / landscaping / home improvement
Church
1.82
School
1.47
Other
SHOOTER SURVEY
20
40
60
80
100
Percent (n=438)
Figure 6.15. The Non-Recreational Activities That Took Time Away From Target Shooting
130
Q103. What were the non-recreational activities that took time that you previously used for shooting? (Asked of those who indicated that non-recreational activities took time away that they previously used for shooting.) (Open-ended.)
Work / business 64 67 63 21 19 21 5 6 7 2 3 0 1 0 4 Did not name non-recreational activity 4 3 2 5 6 6 5 3 4 0 20 40 60 80 100 Active (n=153) Intermittent (n=137) Ex (n=148)
Family activities / obligations / household chores Gardening / landscaping / home improvement
School
Church
SHOOTER SURVEY
Other
Percent
Figure 6.16. The Non-Recreational Activities That Took Time Away From Target Shooting, Crosstabulated by Participation Status
131
CHAPTER 7: IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

The findings point to many strategies that can be undertaken in the overall effort to recruit and retain hunters and target shooters in those sports. Many of the strategies aim at very specific markets, while other strategies are more broad. Note that, because there exist many different target markets within the overall population, no one single strategy will suffice for all people. The implications will be examined within the five major topic areas defined by the previous chapters. These include the following: Participation in Outdoor Activities, Including Hunting and Target Shooting Specific Aspects of Participation in Hunting and Target Shooting Motivations for Participating in Activities, Satisfactions Derived From Them, and Reasons for Increased Avidity o Constraints to Participating in Activities, Dissatisfactions With Activities, and Reasons for Decreased Avidity o Activities That Compete With Hunting and Target Shooting
o o o
While this implications chapter examines many of the major issues, it is important that all professionals involved in recruitment and retention should consult all the data contained herein. There are many nuances of the data that may not be mentioned in this section.
PARTICIPATION IN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING HUNTING AND TARGET SHOOTING The surveys asked all respondents to name their top three outdoor activities, and the questions were open-ended, meaning that no response set was read to respondents. In each survey, this question preceded any questions about hunting or target shooting so as to not bias the results, allowing an accurate look at the activities in which sportsmen and sportswomen participate. What is immediately clear is that nature-based outdoor recreation is of great importance to these respondents. For both groups, hunters and target shooters, the top four activities are nature-based: fishing, hunting, hiking, and camping. For both the hunters and the target shooters who were surveyed, their top activities are fishing and hunting. Fishing was named by a majority of hunters and target shooters, and hunting was named by a near-majority of hunters and a majority of target shooters. A second tier of activities consists of hiking and camping. In both the hunter and shooter survey results, hiking and camping were named by substantially more respondents than the next activity in the ranking. Furthermore, many of the lesser activities are nature based: o Activities named by respondents include gardening/landscaping, visiting a state or national park, wildlife viewing/wildlife photography, cutting/splitting firewood and forestry work, SCUBA diving, rock/mountain climbing, trapping, crabbing/clam digging, and wild harvesting (e.g., mushrooms)
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Responsive Management While certainly some amount of hunting and target shooting participation is lost to hiking and camping, it may be that many of these intermittent and ex-hunters and target shooters were hiking and camping all along. Nonetheless, the data suggest that other outdoor recreationists, particularly anglers, constitute a quite important target market.
The findings described above suggest that the act of hunting or target shooting itself may not be the primary goal for many participants. Hunting and target shooting may be a means to enjoy and experience nature. If true, then hunting and target shooting could be easily substitutable with other activities that also provide benefits associated with being outdoors and close to nature. Factors that detract from hunting and target shooting or make it more costly or complicated are likely to encourage some hunters and target shooters to increase time spent in other outdoor pursuits. One marketing strategy is to market hunting and target shooting as part of a total outdoor experience. The total outdoor experience is a potential campaign theme, or part of one. Identify and stress the unique selling points of hunting and target shooting. While part of a total outdoor experience, there are unique aspects of and satisfactions derived from hunting and target shooting that differentiate them from the other outdoor activities. The lack of hunting and target shooting, with their unique selling points, would leave out a couple of the pieces of the total outdoor experience. Also of moderate importance as a competing activity is boating, as well as snow sports and golfing. Note that participation levels in these activities, however, is not high. The data does not support the contention that hunters and target shooters are leaving hunting and target shooting in droves in favor of these other activities. The surveys explored another aspect of participation in outdoor recreation, asking respondents about the types of hunting and target shooting that they would like to try. Of foremost interest is that a majority of hunters and target shooters indicate no interest in trying hunting/shooting outside of their regular hunting and shooting activities. This leaves no more than about 2 in 5 participants indicating any interest in other types of activities within their sport. In general, many of the hunters who wanted to try a different type of hunting named a different species from their typical game. o For instance, elk is a top interest, which is certainly out of the realm of most hunters typical experience. Other types of hunting named included hunting for such things as moose, boar, bighorn sheep, antelope, caribou, cougar, alligator, and wolf. In general, target shooters named various other types of shooting that they would like to try rather than naming different types of firearms. In a finding that may be counter to the prevailing perception of target shooters among non-shooters, the survey did not find that target shooters simply wished to shoot bigger and more powerful firearms; rather, they showed interest in different types of shooting.
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Note that changes in participation tend to be subtle. One does not go from being an active hunter to an ex-hunter in a single dayone doesnt simply wake up and declare that he/she is quitting hunting. Rather, the changes in participation level are gradual, not typically triggered by a single event or by the sudden discovery of another type of outdoor recreation. SPECIFIC ASPECTS OF PARTICIPATION IN HUNTING AND TARGET SHOOTING This section explores some aspects of hunting and target shooting trips, including likely companions. These questions pertain to the decision-making process when hunters and target shooters decide whether to go hunting or target shooting. The first aspect explored in this section is hunting and target shooting companions. Both surveys asked respondents about the amount of time that they hunt and target shoot with others and the amount of time that they hunt and target shoot alone. Clearly, these activities are predominantly done in groups rather than alone. Very low percentages always hunt/target shoot alone. A majority of each group always go hunting/target shooting with a companion. Overall, hunting and target shooting are, for most participants, social activities, suggesting that other outdoor activities that can be shared with others could likely draw hunters and target shooters away from those sports. Efforts to encourage hunters and target shooters to invite friends along, such as Step Outside, are important. The next question concerns with whom these people engage in these activities. For both activities, family plays an important role (more so with hunting than target shooting): a large majority of hunters who hunt at least some of the time with somebody else typically hunt with a family member (not exclusive of also having a friend along), and a slightly smaller majority of target shooters who target shoot at least some of the time with somebody else typically target shoot with a family member. This is not to say that friends are not important, as a near-majority of hunters who hunt with others and a solid majority of target shooters who target shoot with others named friends as typical companions. Another aspect related to planning of hunting and target shooting trips is how far ahead people plan trips. Spontaneity is important to target shooting and, to a lesser extent, hunting. Less than a third of hunters plan their hunting trips more than a month ahead of time. Additionally, about a third say that all of their trips are planned with less than 2 weeks notice. Among target shooters, less than 1 in 10 plan their target shooting excursions more than a month ahead of time. Also, a majority of target shooters say that all of their trips are planned with less than 2 weeks notice. MOTIVATIONS FOR PARTICIPATING IN ACTIVITIES, SATISFACTIONS DERIVED FROM THEM, AND REASONS FOR INCREASED AVIDITY It is important to not forget the fun part of hunting and target shooting. This is the top motivation for hunting and target shooting.
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For hunters, being close to nature is an important motivation, as is getting meat. When asked about why they hunt, more than a quarter of hunters gave an answer related to being outdoors or being close to nature. Although other studies have found that hunting for the meat is not a primary reason for hunting among many hunters when they are asked to choose their single primary reason for hunting, the motivation of hunting for meat is, nonetheless, important. In an openended question asking about motivations for hunting that allowed for more than one response, hunting for meat was named by nearly a quarter of hunters. For target shooters, increasing skills is an important motivation for going target shooting. This includes increasing skills related to hunting. A substantial percentage of target shooters mentioned hunting in their answer regarding reasons that they go target shooting (in an open-ended question in which respondents can say anything that comes to mind). Finally, for both hunters and target shooters, camaraderie is an important motivation for participating in hunting and target shooting. Related to this is the fact that being asked to go hunting or target shooting can increase ones interest in the activities, as well as increase the likelihood that he/she will go. Marketing and advertising should stress the social aspects of hunting and target shooting. Efforts to encourage hunters and target shooters to invite friends and family are as important as ever. Programs such as Step Outside that focus on this very theme are important. Compared to rural and urban hunters, suburban hunters appear to be more influenced by friends and family members: of the three groups, suburban hunters were more likely to say that being with friends and family is a motivation for hunting. Marketing the friends and family aspects of hunting should be effective among suburban hunters. There is some evidence that multiple satisfactions promote avidity. In other words, a person who tries only one type of hunting and does not like that one type will desert the sport. Another person who tries multiple types of hunting will be less likely to desert the sport simply because one type was not well liked. The satisfactions that the latter person seeks may be provided by some other type of hunting, if the first did not do so. Therefore, it is important to address many motivations in overall recruitment and retention efforts rather than focusing too much on one motivation at the expense of other motivations. In short, encourage hunters and target shooters to diversify when at all possible. While specialization has its place in hunting and target shooting, particularly for those who wish to specialize or who really like a certain type of hunting and target shooting, too much early specialization to the exclusion of other types hunting and target shooting in recruitment efforts may not be effective and risks losing the person if that one specialized type of hunting or target shooting is not to his/her liking. There are obviously cross-marketing (between hunting and target shooting) opportunities, particularly to get hunters to go shooting outside of hunting. Recruitment of young hunters and target shooters is important, as evidence suggests that more avid hunters and target shooters are those who started at a younger age than did the less avid (the mean starting age is higher for ex-participants than for intermittent or active
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participants). It appears that hunters and target shooters who started at a young age derive more satisfactions from hunting and target shooting, compared to those who started later in lifein other words, some satisfactions become ingrained. Many hunters, for instance, responded that a motivation for hunting is traditionthat their father and their grandfather did it. Some responded with, Ive always done it, as the reason that they go hunting or target shooting. Apprentice licenses are important to allow young people to try hunting at an early age, perhaps even before requiring them to take hunter safety courses. (Those courses would still be required to get a regular license; such an exception would apply only to apprentice licenses.) CONSTRAINTS TO PARTICIPATING IN ACTIVITIES, DISSATISFACTIONS WITH ACTIVITIES, AND REASONS FOR DECREASED AVIDITY Social constraints are of the most importance, rather than losing interest in hunting or target shooting as well as rather than because other activities seem more interesting. Those who did not participate in all of the past 5 years were asked about constraints. More than a third of hunters who do not hunt every year cite time constraints/other obligations as a reason for not hunting in some years. More than a quarter of target shooters who do not target shoot every year cite time constraints/other obligations as a reason for not target shooting in some years. o One strategy aimed at the time issue is to encourage hunters and target shooters to put their plans to hunt or target shoot on the calendar. In other words, encourage them to make hunting and target shooting a structured activity. In a busy persons life, things that are on the calendar are more likely to be done; things not on a calendar easily fall by the wayside. For both groups, age/health reasons cut into potential participationthe second-ranked item in both surveys on this question. Consider alternative forms of participation for hunters and target shooters who are older or not in optimum health, such as mentoring, to keep them involved. In short, because hunting and target shooting are often social activitiesmost hunting and target shooting is done in groupsthey are also prone to social constraints. One of the top non-social constraints, and a constraint over which agencies and industry may have more control than those cited above, is access. This is a constraint in both hunting and target shooting. The non-social constraint of access is of much less importance than the social constraint of time (in both cases, time constraints was named over access by about 5 to 1); however, keep in mind that there is some amount of correlation between access and time. The research suggested that ex-target shooters typically had to travel farther to go target shooting (when they went target shooting in the past) than do active target shooters (when they go shooting now). In answer to how long it takes them to get to where they typically shoot, the mean amount of time was higher among ex-target shooters than among active target shooters. This suggests that more distant access (measured in minutes) is correlated to a higher drop-out rate in target shooting. (An analogous question was not asked in the hunter survey because of concerns over survey length, but one would
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Responsive Management intuitively conjecture that time to get to a hunting area may also be correlated to participation in hunting.) o Although access was not one of the top constraints, as noted, it is a constraint over which agencies have considerable influence. It is important to provide potential hunters nearby places to hunt and target shooters nearby places to target shoot. If time is a constraint, then a shorter time to get to a place to hunt or target shoot will help boost participation. (Assuming those nearby places are publicized.) o Promote under-utilized hunting and target shooting areas. One way to do this is to connect private landowners with interested hunters through lease arrangements, walk-in access, and so forth. o Promote types of hunting with seasons that are relatively long, particularly relative to deer season, which is the season with which most hunters are most familiar. o The findings of a previous NSSF-sponsored study, Issues Related to Hunting Access in the United States: National Results, have important findings to help address access.
ACTIVITIES THAT COMPETE WITH HUNTING AND TARGET SHOOTING The greatest competition to hunting and target shooting are other outdoor activities, particularly nature-based activities, such as fishing, camping, and hiking. Fishing in particular is an activity that competes with hunting and target shooting. When asked to name the three outdoor activities in which they participate the most, respondents named fishing quite often. Clearly, anglers are very important in marketing hunting and target shooting. However, that seeming competition can be used in the total outdoor experience, with those activities complementing each other instead of competing. Crossover participation between hunting and target shooting remains important. An important market segment for hunting consists of target shooters. Likewise, an important market segment for target shooting consists of hunters. This latter market segment is particularly important, as it seems likely that many hunters could be encouraged to go shooting outside of hunting on a regular basis, especially older hunters for whom hunting may be too strenuous. Events that combine these activities should do well, encouraging more crossover participation. While golfing had some participation that may have taken away from hunting and target shooting, golfing was not taking vast numbers of hunters and target shooters away from hunting and target shooting. Furthermore, the data suggested that some of those who now prefer golf over hunting and target shooting are doing so because of age/health reasons: in short, golfing may be less strenuous for many people. As stated previously, these people are a good market segment for target shooting, an activity that may be less strenuous for some people. Hunting and target shooting compete with more than just other activities. Hunting and target shooting also compete against the benefits that those other activities provide relative to hunting and target shooting, particularly if those benefits address social constraints. Therefore, other activities that are less constraining in certain areas will compete well against
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hunting and target shooting. For instance, because time constraints are a problem to hunters and target shooters, other activities that take less time will have an advantage over hunting and target shooting. The biggest constraints and the activities that would take advantage of them are listed below: Time constraints. Fortunately for hunting and target shooting, many of the other activities in which respondents participate take much time: camping, hiking, boating, golfing, and snow sports all are time-consuming. Nonetheless, activities that are generally less time-consuming offer some competition to hunting and target shooting, such as fitness exercises, gardening, swimming, and fields sports, for instance. Family-related constraints. Activities that involve the whole family may offer some competition to hunting and target shooting: camping, hiking, boating, snow sports, and swimming, for instance.
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APPENDIX A: SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES

The computer code associated with these questionnaires has been removed, leaving only the questions and statements made to respondents. Note that Questionnaire Programming Language (QPL) software automatically numbers each computer statement, which include the actual questions and statements read to respondents, as well as skip controls, error checkers, and computation statements. For this reason, some question numbers are skipped. For readability, an indication of who was asked the question in included in brackets [ ] in place of the computer skip controls, for those questions that were not asked of all respondents. Other notes explaining the questions, such as indications of open-ended questions, are included in brackets, as well. The order of the questions in series, meant primarily for assessing each question relative to the others in that series, were randomized so that respondents received questions in different orders, thereby eliminating order bias on these questions. Order bias is the effect that one question has on subsequent questions. Some questions use wording substitutions to tailor the question to each respondent, and these are automatically inserted by QPL. These substitutions are indicated by braces { } in the question wording. Additional wording within the questions and instructions to the interviewers, which appear on the screen during the survey, are shown in parentheses ( ). In summary: [ ] brackets are for explanations to the reader; these did not appear to the interviewer { } braces are for wording substitutions that QPL inserted into the interviewer based on previous responses; interviewers saw only the appropriate words, depending on the respondents previous responses to questions ( ) parentheses are for instructions to the interviewer; these appeared on the screen to the interviewer There were separate surveys administered to hunters and to target shooters. The hunter survey is shown first, followed by the shooter survey. Following the surveys is a tabulation showing questions that are similar in the two surveys.
Understanding Activities That Compete With Hunting and Target Shooting NSSF SHOOTING/HUNTING COMPETITION SURVEY: HUNTER SURVEY
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4. Hello, my name is ____________, and I'm calling to conduct a survey in participation with the National Shooting Sports Foundation. We are calling about outdoor recreation. We are not selling anything, or asking for donations. Do you have a few minutes to answer some questions for me? Your answers are entirely confidential. 13. Can you please tell me the three outdoor activities you have participated in most often for fun, relaxation, or health during your non-work time in the past 2 years? (CHECK UP TO THREE; PROMPT FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION) 16. Have you done any hunting in the past 2 years? (IF NOT) In the past 5 years? (IF NOT) Ever? 20. How many of the past 2 years have you gone hunting? [ASKED OF THOSE WHO WENT HUNTING WITHIN THE PAST 2 YEARS.] 21. How many of the past 5 years have you gone hunting? [ASKED OF THOSE WHO WENT HUNTING WITHIN THE PAST 5 YEARS; NOTE THAT QUESTIONS 16, 20, AND 21 WERE USED TO DETERMINE THE PARTICIPANT STATUSACTIVE, INTERMITTENT, AND EX-. THESE QUESTIONS ALSO WERE USED TO SCREEN SOME PEOPLE OUT OF THE SURVEY, AS EXPLAINED IN THE BODY OF THIS REPORT.] 24. Is there a specific reason why you hunt in some years but not others? [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO HUNTED FEWER THAN 5 OF THE PAST 5 YEARS.] 25. What would you say are your most important reasons for participating in hunting? In other words, what are your motivations? [OPEN-ENDED.] 26. Has your amount of hunting increased, decreased, or stayed the same over the past 5 years? 27. Why did it increase? (PROBE FOR SPECIFICS) (Why did your amount of sport hunting increase?) [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO SAID THEIR AMOUNT OF HUNTING INCREASED.] 28. Why did it decrease? (PROBE FOR SPECIFICS) (Why did your amount of sport hunting decrease?) [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO SAID THEIR AMOUNT OF HUNTING DECREASED.] 32. Which species did you hunt in the past {5 years / when youve gone hunting}? 36. What types of firearms did you hunt with in the past {5 years / when youve gone hunting}? 38. Are there types of hunting that you don't do now but that you would be interested in trying?
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39. What species or types of equipment? (What types of hunting that you don't do now would you be interested in trying?) [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO SAID THAT THERE ARE OTHER TYPES OF HUNTING THAT THEY WOULD BE INTERESTED IN TRYING.] 40. What percentage of time that you go hunting do you go with friends or family? 43. What percentage of the time do you go hunting alone? 47. What are the advantages of going hunting with somebody else? [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO GO HUNTING WITH FRIENDS OR FAMILY AT LEAST PART OF THE TIME.] 48. With whom (do/did) you typically hunt? [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO GO HUNTING WITH FRIENDS OR FAMILY AT LEAST PART OF THE TIME.] 49. In the past 5 years, how often would you say you were invited to go hunting by a friends or family member? 50. About what percentage of the time would you say you went hunting when invited by those friends or family? [ASKED OF THOSE WHO WERE INVITED TO GO HUNTING BY FRIENDS OR FAMILY WITHIN THE PAST 5 YEARS.] 53. How old were you when you first went hunting? 56. Which species did you first hunt? [OPEN-ENDED.] 57. Have you done any target or sport shooting in the past 2 years, including just plinking or sighting firearms, but excluding hunting? (IF NOT) In the past 5 years? (IF NOT) Ever? 58. Do you consider yourself more of a target shooter or more of a hunter? [ASKED OF THOSE WHO HAVE DONE ANY TARGET OR SPORT SHOOTING, IN ADDITION TO THEIR HUNTING, WITHIN THE PAST 5 YEARS.] 59. Over the past 5 years, would you say the non-work time you spend at and around home has increased, remained about the same, or decreased? 60. How far in advance do you start planning a typical hunting trip? 61. What percentage of your hunting trips are planned less than 2 weeks in advance? 64. Do you have children 17 years or younger living in your household? (We are asking so you don't get questions about children if you don't have any living with you.)
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=========================================================== 65. Now I'm going to ask about things that might encourage you to go hunting, and I'd like to know if each would strongly, moderately, or not encourage you to go hunting or to hunt more. FOR EACH ITEM: Would this encourage you to go hunting or to hunt more?
Answer set: Strongly encourage Moderately encourage Not encourage
[THE STARTING POINT WITHIN THIS SERIES OF QUESTIONS WAS RANDOMIZED SO THAT NOT EVERY SURVEY WAS EXACTLY THE SAME IN PRESENTING THIS LIST, THEREBY ELIMINATING ORDER BIAS, WHICH REFERS TO THE EFFECT THAT ONE QUESTION HAS ON SUBSEQUENT QUESTIONS.]
67. What about some type of family license package? 68. What about if you got coupons for equipment discounts with your hunting license? 69. What about if you could mentor a family member or relative using a special discounted license? 70. What if you could get an extra tag or take additional game so that the meat could be donated to a Hunters for the Hungry campaign? 71. What if the purchase of a hunting license automatically entered you in a drawing for a new firearm? 72. What about receiving information on under-utilized hunting locations near your home? 73. What about if the hunting seasons provided additional days for hunting each year? 74. What about regulation changes that make it easier to take youth hunting, like areas limited to youth and mentors? 75. What about a program that allowed public access to private lands? 76. What about having a GPS unit that can tell you if you are on land where hunting is allowed? 77. What about if daily bag limits were increased? 78. What if you could attend skill seminars for species that you have not hunted? 79. What if you could meet members of a local rod and gun club who are familiar with the area for hunting trips or social gatherings? 80. What if hunting opportunities were offered through your church, workplace, or club? 81. What about a directory to local hunt clubs you could join? 82. What about more wildlife management areas managed specifically for trophy animals? 83. What about wildlife management areas managed specifically to allow hunters to see a lot of game? 84. What about wildlife management areas managed for wilderness experiences? 85. What about having convenient access to the public hunting area manager to discuss questions about regulations, license requirements, places to hunt, and nearby businesses? 86. What about having an online directory to guides, outfitters and game preserves where user reviews were posted to help you choose the best opportunity? 87. What if an experienced hunter was available to partner with you on the hunt? 88. What about if your state wildlife agency had shooting ranges in your area where you could practice before the hunting season? 89. What if you could be connected with private landowners in your area who are looking for hunters? 90. What if you could borrow equipment, such as tree stands or decoys, to try different types of hunting? ===========================================================
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91. We're interested in any activities that you might do instead of hunting. With that in mind... 93. You mentioned that you went hunting but did not mention hunting as being one of your top three outdoor activities. What are the reasons that hunting is not one of your top activities? [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO DID NOT NAME HUNTING AS ONE OF THEIR TOP THREE ACTIVITIES IN QUESTION 13.] 94. You mentioned that hunting is one of your top activities. Can you tell me any reasons that you might do other activities instead of hunting? [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO NAMED HUNTING AS ONE OF THEIR TOP THREE ACTIVITIES IN QUESTION 13.] 95. Thinking about activities other than hunting, are there any advantages that those other activities have over hunting for you? 96. What advantages do those other activities have over hunting? [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO INDICATED THAT OTHER ACTIVITIES HAVE ADVANTAGES OVER HUNTING.] 97. Do recreational activities other than hunting take time that you previously used for hunting? 100. What were the activities? (What other recreational activities other than hunting take time that you previously used for hunting?) [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO INDICATED THAT OTHER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TAKE TIME THAT THEY PREVIOUSLY USED FOR HUNTING.] 102. Do non-recreational activities take time that you previously used for hunting? 103. What were the non-recreational activities? (What other non-recreational activities take time that you previously used for hunting?) [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO INDICATED THAT NON-RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TAKE TIME THAT THEY PREVIOUSLY USED FOR HUNTING.] 104. Would you say that another activity became more interesting to you than hunting? 107. What were the activities? (What other activities became more interesting to you than hunting?) [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO INDICATED THAT ANOTHER ACTIVITY BECAME MORE INTERESTING TO THEM THAN HUNTING.] 109. What were the reasons that these other activities won out over hunting? [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO INDICATED THAT ANOTHER ACTIVITY BECAME MORE INTERESTING TO THEM THAN HUNTING.]
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112. Some activities are preferred over hunting because they offer greater benefits or thrills, while others are preferred because they have fewer hassles associated with them. Compared to hunting, please tell me if you regularly do other recreational activities that... (READ LIST) 1. Offer more thrills? 2. Offer more benefits? 3. Offer more exercise? 4. Are cheaper? 5. Are more challenging? 6. Offer new or different experiences? 7. Don't have as many hassles? 8. Are safer? 9. Allow you to be with people you're more comfortable with? 10. Don't involve as much travel? 11. Have fewer seasonal restrictions? 12. Are preferred by family members or friends? 113. You said that you do recreational activities other than hunting that have fewer hassles. What hassles are associated with hunting? [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO INDICATED IN QUESTION 112 THAT ANOTHER ACTIVITY IS PREFERRED OVER HUNTING BECAUSE IT HAS FEWER HASSLES ASSOCIATED WITH ITRESPONSE #7.] 118. Do you consider your place of residence to be a large city or urban area, a suburban area, a small city or town, a rural area on a farm or ranch, or a rural area NOT on a farm or ranch? 119. Do you consider the area in which grew up to be a large city or urban area, a suburban area, a small city or town, a rural area on a farm or ranch, or a rural area NOT on a farm or ranch? 120. How long have you lived in your current state of residence? 123. The last time you moved, how far did you move? [ANSWERS GIVEN IN MILES] 125. May I ask your age? 129. What is the highest level of education you have completed? 133. (OBSERVE AND RECORD RESPONDENT'S GENDER.)
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NSSF SHOOTING/HUNTING COMPETITION SURVEY: SHOOTER SURVEY 4. Hello, my name is ____________, and I'm calling to conduct a survey in participation with the National Shooting Sports Foundation. We are calling about outdoor recreation. We are not selling anything, or asking for donations. Do you have a few minutes to answer some questions for me? Your answers are entirely confidential. 10. Can you please tell me the three outdoor activities you have participated in most often for fun, relaxation, or health during your non-work time in the past 2 years? (CHECK UP TO THREE; PROMPT FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION) 13. Have you done any recreational shooting in the past 2 years, excluding hunting? (IF NOT) In the past 5 years? (IF NOT) Ever? 17. For the rest of the survey, make sure you don't include hunting in your responses when talking about shooting. 18. How many of the past 2 years have you gone shooting? (Not including hunting.) [ASKED OF THOSE WHO WENT SHOOTING WITHIN THE PAST 2 YEARS.] 19. How many of the past 5 years have you gone shooting? (Not including hunting.) [ASKED OF THOSE WHO WENT SHOOTING WITHIN THE PAST 5 YEARS; NOTE THAT QUESTIONS 13, 17, AND 18 WERE USED TO DETERMINE THE PARTICIPANT STATUSACTIVE, INTERMITTENT, AND EX-. THESE QUESTIONS ALSO WERE USED TO SCREEN SOME PEOPLE OUT OF THE SURVEY, AS EXPLAINED IN THE BODY OF THIS REPORT.] 22. Is there a specific reason why you shoot in some years but not others? [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO WENT SHOOTING FEWER THAN 5 OF THE PAST 5 YEARS.] 26. I'd like to know the types of shooting that you have done in the past {5 years / when youve gone shooting}, other than hunting. Have you shot a rifle? A handgun? A shotgun? A muzzleloader? 29. When you shot a rifle in the past {5 years / when youve gone shooting}, what shooting activities did you do with a rifle? (Not including hunting.) [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO INDICATED SHOOTING A RIFLE IN QUESTION 26.] 33. When you shot a handgun in the past {5 years / when youve gone shooting}, what shooting activities did you do with a handgun? (Not including hunting.) [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO INDICATED SHOOTING A HANDGUN IN QUESTION 26.] 37. When you shot a shotgun in the past {5 years / when youve gone shooting}, what shooting activities did you do with a shotgun? (Not including hunting.) [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO INDICATED SHOOTING A SHOTGUN IN QUESTION 26.]
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39. What would you say are your most important reasons for participating in shooting? In other words, what are your motivations? [OPEN-ENDED.] 40. What type of shooting do you do the most? (OPEN-ENDED; ENTER ONLY ONE ACTIVITY) 42. What is your favorite type of shooting? (Even if you don't do it the most.) (OPEN-ENDED; ENTER ONLY ONE ACTIVITY) 46. Are there types of shooting that you don't do now but that you would be interested in trying? (IF YES: What types?) [OPEN-ENDED.] 48. Has your amount of sport shooting increased, decreased, or stayed the same over the past 5 years? 49. Why did it increase? (PROBE FOR SPECIFICS) (Why did your amount of sport shooting increase?) [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO SAID THEIR AMOUNT OF SHOOTING INCREASED.] 50. Why did it decrease? (PROBE FOR SPECIFICS) (Why did your amount of sport shooting decrease?) [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO SAID THEIR AMOUNT OF SHOOTING DECREASED.] 51. What percentage of time that you go shooting do you go with friends or family? 53. What percentage of the time do you go shooting alone? 56. What are the advantages of going shooting with somebody else? [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO GO SHOOTING WITH FRIENDS OR FAMILY AT LEAST PART OF THE TIME.] 57. With whom (do/did) you typically shoot? [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO GO SHOOTING WITH FRIENDS OR FAMILY AT LEAST PART OF THE TIME.] 58. In minutes, how long does it take you to get to where you typically go shooting? (One way, not round trip.)
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60. In the past 5 years, how often would you say you were invited to go shooting by a friends or family member? 61. About what percentage of the time would you say you went shooting when invited by those friends or family? [ASKED OF THOSE WHO WERE INVITED TO GO SHOOTING BY FRIENDS OR FAMILY WITHIN THE PAST 5 YEARS.] 64. Do you currently have a membership at a range? 65. Have you done any hunting in the past 2 years? (IF NOT) In the past 5 years? (IF NOT) Ever? 66. Do you consider yourself more of a target shooter or more of a hunter? [ASKED OF THOSE WHO HAVE DONE ANY HUNTING, IN ADDITION TO THEIR TARGET OR SPORT SHOOTING, WITHIN THE PAST 5 YEARS.] 67. Over the past 5 years, would you say the non-work time you spend at and around home has increased, remained about the same, or decreased? 68. How far in advance do you start planning a typical shooting trip? 69. What percentage of your shooting trips are planned less than 2 weeks in advance? 72. Do you have children 17 years or younger living in your household? (We are asking so you don't get questions about children if none live with you.)
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=========================================================== 73. Now I'm going to ask about things that might encourage you to go shooting, and I'd like to know if each would strongly, moderately, or not encourage you to go shooting or to shoot more. (FOR EACH ITEM: Would this encourage you to go shooting or to shoot more?)
|__| 2. Strongly encourage |__| 3. Moderately encourage |__| 4. Not encourage
[THE STARTING POINT WITHIN THIS SERIES OF QUESTIONS WAS RANDOMIZED SO THAT NOT EVERY SURVEY WAS EXACTLY THE SAME IN PRESENTING THIS LIST, THEREBY ELIMINATING ORDER BIAS, WHICH REFERS TO THE EFFECT THAT ONE QUESTION HAS ON SUBSEQUENT QUESTIONS.]
75. What about some type of family day at a range? 76. What about if you got coupons for equipment discounts with the purchase of a pass at a range? 77. What about if the fee you paid to use a range allowed you to get a discount for ammunition or other shooting supplies? 78. What about if more shooting instruction or self-defense courses were available at a convenient range? 79. What if loaner firearms were available at a range for you to try, including types you haven't shot before? 80. What if a nearby range offered additional types of target shooting activities? 81. What if nearby shooting areas were less crowded or had more shooting lanes? 82. What if you could reserve a private time or place at the range for your family or friends? 83. What if there was a competitive shooting league offered nearby? 84. What if there were opportunities to shoot clay targets in a non-competitive environment at your leisure? 85. What if there were opportunities to take a youth shooting? 86. What if shooting opportunities were offered through your church, workplace, club? 87. What if a shooting range encouraged you to attend and made you feel welcome to be there? 88. What if a shooting range was clean, neat, and well run? 89. What if there was no cost to use a range? 90. What about if your local parks and recreation department offered a target shooting group class? =========================================================== 91. We're interested in any activities that you might do instead of shooting. With that in mind... 93. You mentioned that you went shooting but did not mention shooting as being one of your top three outdoor activities. What are the reasons that shooting is not one of your top activities? [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO DID NOT NAME SHOOTING AS ONE OF THEIR TOP THREE ACTIVITIES IN QUESTION 10.] 94. You mentioned that shooting is one of your top activities. Can you tell me any reasons that you might do other activities instead of shooting? [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO NAMED SHOOTING AS ONE OF THEIR TOP THREE ACTIVITIES IN QUESTION 10.] 95. Thinking about activities other than shooting, are there any advantages that those other activities have over shooting for you?
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96. What advantages do those other activities have over shooting? [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO INDICATED THAT OTHER ACTIVITIES HAVE ADVANTAGES OVER SHOOTING.] 97. Do recreational activities other than shooting take time that you previously used for shooting? 100. What were the activities? (What other recreational activities other than shooting take time that you previously used for shooting?) [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO INDICATED THAT OTHER RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TAKE TIME THAT THEY PREVIOUSLY USED FOR SHOOTING.] 102. Do non-recreational activities take time that you previously used for shooting? 103. What were the non-recreational activities? (What other non-recreational activities take time that you previously used for shooting?) [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO INDICATED THAT NON-RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TAKE TIME THAT THEY PREVIOUSLY USED FOR SHOOTING.] 104. Would you say that another activity became more interesting to you than shooting? 107. What were the activities? (What other activities became more interesting to you than shooting?) [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO INDICATED THAT ANOTHER ACTIVITY BECAME MORE INTERESTING TO THEM THAN SHOOTING.] 109. What were the reasons that these other activities won out over shooting? [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO INDICATED THAT ANOTHER ACTIVITY BECAME MORE INTERESTING TO THEM THAN SHOOTING.] 112. Some activities are preferred over shooting because they offer greater benefits or thrills, while others are preferred because they have fewer hassles associated with them. Compared to shooting, please tell me if you regularly do other recreational activities that... 1. Offer more thrills? 2. Offer more benefits? 3. Offer more exercise? 4. Are cheaper? 5. Are more challenging? 6. Offer new or different experiences? 7. Don't have as many hassles? 8. Are safer? 9. Allow you to be with people you're more comfortable with? 10. Don't involve as much travel? 11. Have fewer seasonal restrictions? 12. Are preferred by family members or friends?
Understanding Activities That Compete With Hunting and Target Shooting 113. You said that you do recreational activities other than shooting that have fewer hassles. What hassles are associated with shooting? [OPEN-ENDED; ASKED OF THOSE WHO INDICATED IN QUESTION 112 THAT ANOTHER ACTIVITY IS PREFERRED OVER SHOOTING BECAUSE IT HAS FEWER HASSLES ASSOCIATED WITH IT RESPONSE #7.]
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117. Do you consider your place of residence to be a large city or urban area, a suburban area, a small city or town, a rural area on a farm or ranch, or a rural area NOT on a farm or ranch? 118. Do you consider the area in which grew up to be a large city or urban area, a suburban area, a small city or town, a rural area on a farm or ranch, or a rural area NOT on a farm or ranch? 119. How long have you lived in your current state of residence? 122. The last time you moved, how far did you move? [ANSWERS GIVEN IN MILES] 124. May I ask your age? 128. What is the highest level of education you have completed? 132. (OBSERVE AND RECORD RESPONDENT'S GENDER.)
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ANALOGOUS QUESTIONS IN HUNTER AND SHOOTER SURVEY HUNTER SURVEY SHOOTER SURVEY 13. Can you please tell me the three outdoor 10. Can you please tell me the three outdoor activities you have participated in most often activities you have participated in most often for fun, relaxation, or health during your non- for fun, relaxation, or health during your nonwork time in the past 2 years? (CHECK UP work time in the past 2 years? (CHECK UP TO THREE; PROMPT FOR OUTDOOR TO THREE; PROMPT FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION) RECREATION) 16. Have you done any hunting in the past 2 13. Have you done any recreational shooting years? (IF NOT) In the past 5 years? (IF in the past 2 years, excluding hunting? (IF NOT) Ever? NOT) In the past 5 years? (IF NOT) Ever? 20. How many of the past 2 years have you 18. How many of the past 2 years have you gone hunting? gone shooting? (Not including hunting.) 21. How many of the past 5 years have you 19. How many of the past 5 years have you gone hunting? gone shooting? (Not including hunting.) 24. Is there a specific reason why you hunt in 22. Is there a specific reason why you shoot some years but not others? [OPEN-ENDED] in some years but not others? [OPENENDED] 25. What would you say are your most 39. What would you say are your most important reasons for participating in hunting? important reasons for participating in In other words, what are your motivations? shooting? In other words, what are your [OPEN-ENDED] motivations? [OPEN-ENDED] 26. Has your amount of hunting increased, 48. Has your amount of sport shooting decreased, or stayed the same over the past 5 increased, decreased, or stayed the same over years? the past 5 years? 27. Why did it increase? (PROBE FOR 49. Why did it increase? (PROBE FOR SPECIFICS) (Why did your amount of sport SPECIFICS) (Why did your amount of sport hunting increase?) [OPEN-ENDED] shooting increase?) [OPEN-ENDED] 28. Why did it decrease? (PROBE FOR 50. Why did it decrease? (PROBE FOR SPECIFICS) (Why did your amount of sport SPECIFICS) (Why did your amount of sport hunting decrease?) [OPEN-ENDED] shooting decrease?) [OPEN-ENDED] 38. Are there types of hunting that you don't 46. Are there types of shooting that you don't do now but that you would be interested in do now but that you would be interested in trying? trying? (IF YES: What types?) [OPEN39. What species or types of equipment? ENDED] (What types of hunting that you don't do now would you be interested in trying?) [OPENENDED] 40. What percentage of time that you go 51. What percentage of time that you go hunting do you go with friends or family? shooting do you go with friends or family? 43. What percentage of the time do you go 53. What percentage of the time do you go hunting alone? shooting alone? 47. What are the advantages of going hunting 56. What are the advantages of going with somebody else? [OPEN-ENDED] shooting with somebody else? [OPENENDED]
Understanding Activities That Compete With Hunting and Target Shooting HUNTER SURVEY 48. With whom (do/did) you typically hunt? [OPEN-ENDED] 49. In the past 5 years, how often would you say you were invited to go hunting by a friends or family member? 50. About what percentage of the time would you say you went hunting when invited by those friends or family? 57. Have you done any target or sport shooting in the past 2 years, including just plinking or sighting firearms, but excluding hunting? (IF NOT) In the past 5 years? (IF NOT) Ever? 58. Do you consider yourself more of a target shooter or more of a hunter? 59. Over the past 5 years, would you say the non-work time you spend at and around home has increased, remained about the same, or decreased? 60. How far in advance do you start planning a typical hunting trip? 61. What percentage of your hunting trips are planned less than 2 weeks in advance? 64. Do you have children 17 years or younger living in your household? (We are asking so you don't get questions about children if you don't have any living with you.) 67. What about some type of family license package? 68. What about if you got coupons for equipment discounts with your hunting license? 74. What about regulation changes that make it easier to take youth hunting, like areas limited to youth and mentors? 80. What if hunting opportunities were offered through your church, workplace, or club? 90. What if you could borrow equipment, such as tree stands or decoys, to try different types of hunting?
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SHOOTER SURVEY 57. With whom (do/did) you typically shoot? [OPEN-ENDED] 60. In the past 5 years, how often would you say you were invited to go shooting by a friends or family member? 61. About what percentage of the time would you say you went shooting when invited by those friends or family? 65. Have you done any hunting in the past 2 years? (IF NOT) In the past 5 years? (IF NOT) Ever?
66. Do you consider yourself more of a target shooter or more of a hunter? 67. Over the past 5 years, would you say the non-work time you spend at and around home has increased, remained about the same, or decreased? 68. How far in advance do you start planning a typical shooting trip? 69. What percentage of your shooting trips are planned less than 2 weeks in advance? 72. Do you have children 17 years or younger living in your household? (We are asking so you don't get questions about children if none live with you.) 75. What about some type of family day at a range? 76. What about if you got coupons for equipment discounts with the purchase of a pass at a range? 85. What if there were opportunities to take a youth shooting? 86. What if shooting opportunities were offered through your church, workplace, club? 79. What if loaner firearms were available at a range for you to try, including types you haven't shot before?
152 HUNTER SURVEY 93. You mentioned that you went hunting but did not mention hunting as being one of your top three outdoor activities. What are the reasons that hunting is not one of your top activities? [OPEN-ENDED] 94. You mentioned that hunting is one of your top activities. Can you tell me any reasons that you might do other activities instead of hunting? [OPEN-ENDED] 95. Thinking about activities other than hunting, are there any advantages that those other activities have over hunting for you? 96. What advantages do those other activities have over hunting? [OPEN-ENDED] 97. Do recreational activities other than hunting take time that you previously used for hunting? 100. What were the activities? (What other recreational activities other than hunting take time that you previously used for hunting?) [OPEN-ENDED] 102. Do non-recreational activities take time that you previously used for hunting? 103. What were the non-recreational activities? (What other non-recreational activities take time that you previously used for hunting?) [OPEN-ENDED] 104. Would you say that another activity became more interesting to you than hunting? 107. What were the activities? (What other activities became more interesting to you than hunting?) [OPEN-ENDED] 109. What were the reasons that these other activities won out over hunting? [OPENENDED] 112. Some activities are preferred over hunting because they offer greater benefits or thrills, while others are preferred because they have fewer hassles associated with them. Compared to hunting, please tell me if you regularly do other recreational activities that... (READ LIST)
Responsive Management SHOOTER SURVEY 93. You mentioned that you went shooting but did not mention shooting as being one of your top three outdoor activities. What are the reasons that shooting is not one of your top activities? [OPEN-ENDED] 94. You mentioned that shooting is one of your top activities. Can you tell me any reasons that you might do other activities instead of shooting? [OPEN-ENDED] 95. Thinking about activities other than shooting, are there any advantages that those other activities have over shooting for you? 96. What advantages do those other activities have over shooting? [OPEN-ENDED] 97. Do recreational activities other than shooting take time that you previously used for shooting? 100. What were the activities? (What other recreational activities other than shooting take time that you previously used for shooting?) [OPEN-ENDED] 102. Do non-recreational activities take time that you previously used for shooting? 103. What were the non-recreational activities? (What other non-recreational activities take time that you previously used for shooting?) [OPEN-ENDED] 104. Would you say that another activity became more interesting to you than shooting? 107. What were the activities? (What other activities became more interesting to you than shooting?) [OPEN-ENDED] 109. What were the reasons that these other activities won out over shooting? [OPENENDED] 112. Some activities are preferred over shooting because they offer greater benefits or thrills, while others are preferred because they have fewer hassles associated with them. Compared to shooting, please tell me if you regularly do other recreational activities that... (READ LIST)
Understanding Activities That Compete With Hunting and Target Shooting HUNTER SURVEY 113. You said that you do recreational activities other than hunting that have fewer hassles. What hassles are associated with hunting? [OPEN-ENDED] 118. Do you consider your place of residence to be a large city or urban area, a suburban area, a small city or town, a rural area on a farm or ranch, or a rural area NOT on a farm or ranch? 119. Do you consider the area in which grew up to be a large city or urban area, a suburban area, a small city or town, a rural area on a farm or ranch, or a rural area NOT on a farm or ranch? 120. How long have you lived in your current state of residence? 123. The last time you moved, how far did you move? [IN MILES] 125. May I ask your age? 129. What is the highest level of education you have completed? 133. (OBSERVE AND RECORD RESPONDENT'S GENDER)
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SHOOTER SURVEY 113. You said that you do recreational activities other than shooting that have fewer hassles. What hassles are associated with shooting? [OPEN-ENDED] 117. Do you consider your place of residence to be a large city or urban area, a suburban area, a small city or town, a rural area on a farm or ranch, or a rural area NOT on a farm or ranch? 118. Do you consider the area in which grew up to be a large city or urban area, a suburban area, a small city or town, a rural area on a farm or ranch, or a rural area NOT on a farm or ranch? 119. How long have you lived in your current state of residence? 122. The last time you moved, how far did you move? [IN MILES] 124. May I ask your age? 128. What is the highest level of education you have completed? 132. (OBSERVE AND RECORD RESPONDENT'S GENDER)
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