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Insights into Anglers and Hunters: A 2007 Summary
posted 01052008
AnglerSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com monitors sportsmen and
women’s monthly outdoor activities, purchases and opinions. These
surveys have become an important tool in helping the American
Sportfishing Association, industry, media, and fishery managers
understand the trends affecting participation and sales. Here are some
highlights from the 2007 surveys:
Most Anglers Release Fish They Catch (January 2007):
Most anglers choose to release most of the fish they catch. According
the a January 2007 poll by AnglerSurvey.com, 60% of anglers said they
release most of the fish they catch, while 18% responded they release
all the fish they catch. Only 21% keep most or all of their catch.
Fishing Equipment is Not a Big Holiday Gift Giving Item
(January, 2007):
Anglers were asked if they give or receive fishing equipment and
tackle over the holiday season. According to a January 2006 poll by
AnglerSurvey.com, 40% of anglers did not receive or purchase fishing
equipment as a gift. Only 22% said they did receive fishing equipment
as a gift and 22% said they did give and receive equipment as a gift
over the season.
Friends are the Best Source for Product Information (February,
2007):
When seeking information about which products to buy, recommendations
from friends were reported as having the greatest influence (40% of
anglers and 36% of hunters). Endorsements by personalities and
television commercials have the least effect with 5% or less of
respondents favoring each of these sources.
Anglers and Hunters are Split on Whether Our Nation’s Energy
Needs Outweigh the Potential Environmental Impacts that May Occur
(March, 2007):
Many people wonder if our nation’s energy needs outweigh potential
environmental damage that might occur if the U.S. drills for oil in
Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. According to
AnglerSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com, sportsmen are split over this
issue. Almost half either strongly or somewhat agreed that our energy
needs outweigh the environmental risks (46% of anglers and 55% of
hunters), while half (48% of anglers and 38% of hunters) felt the
environmental dangers are greater. The remaining were undecided or had
no opinion.
What Motivates People to Hunt and Fish? (March, 2007):
There are many reasons why people hunt and fish, according to polls of
over 2,400 hunters and anglers. Experiencing nature, relaxation, and
spending time with family and friends are the top reasons for getting
outdoors. “Most anglers and hunters go outdoors for more than one
reason,” explains Rob Southwick, who oversees the monthly surveys.
“Our poll focused on the most significant reason why people hunt and
fish. People who don’t hunt and fish may think bringing home dinner is
the major motivation for hunters and anglers, but that is not the
case. The true benefits from time spent outdoors are to unwind,
experience nature and to reconnect with others. The results reinforce
similar findings from other recent scientific studies.”
Who Do Anglers Trust the Most for Accurate Information on Fish
and Wildlife Issues? (April, 2007):
Where do anglers prefer for accurate information? The April 2007 poll
shows 42% of anglers prefer state fish and wildlife agencies for
accurate conservation-related information followed by 19% who prefer
magazines.
Half of All Hunters Report Shooting Ranges Are Not Convenient
(May, 2007):
Limited shooting range opportunities are reducing participation for
many interested target shooters. Forty-eight percent of the 1,299
hunters and shooters who participated in the national poll reported
having access to a shooting range as often as desired. But 40%
reported they would use shooting ranges more often if they were more
convenient. These conveniences varied from better hours, shorter
distances to the range, being open to the public, not knowing of any
local ranges, and allowing the use of different types of firearms.
More Anglers Use Magazines as Their Fishing Source (June, 2007):
Anglers use magazines as their top source to learn more about fishing
and for fishing entertainment. According to a June, 2007 poll by
AnglerSurvey.com, 43% of anglers reported magazines as their top
sources and 24% replied websites. Television was selected by 19% of
anglers and 9% use the newspaper.
Where Do Fishing and Hunting License Revenues Go? Most Sportsmen
Do Not Know (April, 2007):
Do hunters and anglers really know who spends their license dollars?
Only 39 percent of anglers and 47 percent of hunters knew the correct
answer: 100% of all license dollars go to the state fish and wildlife
agency. Sixty-eight percent of anglers and hunters believe some or all
license dollars go into the general state treasury (68%). All states
dedicate 100% of their license revenues to fish and wildlife
management. Failure to so will cause a state to lose its share of
federal excise tax dollars generated from the sale of fishing and
hunting equipment and motorboat fuels. In 2007, nearly $350 million in
fishing excise tax dollars and $267 million in hunting excise taxes
were distributed to state fish and wildlife agencies to benefit
sportsmen and conservation.
Anglers Who use Sinkers or Jig-Heads Think They Worked Equally
(May, 2007):
Anglers were asked their opinions about lead and non-lead sinkers and
jig heads. Twenty-eight percent reported non-lead sinkers and jig
heads perform equally as well as lead and 11% reported almost as well.
Only 14% reported non-lead sinkers perform “OK” or “not great.”
Forty-seven percent did not know how non-lead tackle performed
compared to lead tackle. Cost is another issue. Forty-seven percent
report lead was slightly to much more expensive than non-lead while
45% did not know or had no opinion.
Global Warming is a Concern for Most Hunters and Anglers (June,
2007):
Most anglers and hunters are concerned about global warming. In June,
2007, 58% of hunters and 66% of anglers reported they consider global
warming to be a threat. Of these, two-thirds think global warming is a
natural cycle that is accelerating as a result of human activities. At
the other end, nearly a quarter of hunters and 16 percent of anglers
felt global warming was not an issue but is being made into an issue
by others.
How Will Increasing Gasoline Prices Impact Hunting and Fishing
for Anglers and Hunters This Year (June, 2007):
Gas prices are impacting fishing and hunting. Over half of all anglers
and 40% of hunters indicated rising gas prices will cause them to
reduce their outdoor activities or reduce their travel distance and
boat use in 2007. The rest indicated that rising fuel prices would not
hinder their outdoor activity, or were not sure of the impacts. Rob
Southwick, an economist and President of AnglerSurvey.com and
HunterSurvey.com, added “We’ve seen in past research that rising
gasoline prices depress fishing license sales in many areas, but the
recent increases in fuel prices are unprecedented. Many anglers and
hunters gradually accept higher prices and they will return and
participate as they have before. However, until the effects of higher
fuel prices can be moderated via higher efficiency engines and other
solutions, we may loose some hunters and anglers completely.”
Most Anglers Use Conventional Tackle When Fishing (July, 2007):
Most anglers (53%) only use conventional tackle (spinning, spin cast
and bait casting gear). Thirty-one percent use conventional tackle
most of the time and fly fishing gear some times. Only 1% said they
fly fish only while less than 6% mostly fly fish and use conventional
fishing tackle some of the time. The remainder reported using other
types of fishing tackle.
Anglers Mid-Season Preferences (July, 2007):
According to AnglerSurvey.com in July, preferred tactics for
freshwater anglers was fishing with artificial baits (79%) while 43%
fished with live bait and 14% fished with dead bait. Sixty-four
percent of saltwater anglers used artificial baits while 58% fished
with live bait and 54% used dead bait. The most popular fish in July
for freshwater anglers was largemouth bass (58%) followed by
smallmouth bass (34%). For saltwater fishing, July anglers mostly
targeted striped bass (37%) and flounder (34%).
Shooting Enthusiasts Enjoy Shooting the AR-15 Rifle (September,
2007):
Many hunters and target shooters enjoy the AR-15 rifle. Over one-third
of HunterSurvey respondents said they enjoyed using AR-15 style
rifles. “The AR-15 style rifle is growing in popularity faster than
any rifle in America today”, according to firearms industry expert Ray
Oeltjen of High Sierra Consulting and formerly of Federal Cartridge
and Leupold Riflescopes. “There are more than twenty manufacturers
producing them today, and they all are struggling to keep up with the
demand.”
Anglers are Making Efforts Not to Introduce Non-Native Species
Into Fishing Waters (September, 2007): Anglers were asked if they
take any preventative measures to avoid the accidental introduction of
non-native species into fishing waters. Fortunately, 82% of anglers
indicated they sometimes or always take preventative measures to
protect waters. Since the introduction of non-native species is a
growing problem, anglers appear to be making efforts to lessen this
problem. Only 8% said they never take any preventative measures.
Anglers are Concerned about the Issues (October, 2007):
Anglers were asked in a poll by AnglerSurvey.com if they consider
themselves knowledgeable regarding current state and federal issues
affecting the quality of fishing. Of the 1,148 anglers who responded,
48% indicated they keep an eye on the issues and focus on those that
affect them directly. 25% of anglers said they watch the issues
closely and 22% said they do not follow the issues as close as they
would like.
Anglers and Hunters Do Not Think Presidential Candidates Have
Adequately Indicated Their Opinions about Hunting and Fishing
(November, 2007):
AnglerSurey.com and HunterSurvey.com asked U.S. sportsmen and women
about their perceptions of the presidential candidates hunting and
fishing opinions. Most anglers (54%) and hunters (58%) indicated that
few or none of the candidates have indicated their place on the issues
relating to hunting and fishing. Most appear to be paying attention to
the candidates’ statements as only 22% of anglers and 19% hunters
reported having not listened to the candidates about their positions.
Under 20% of those polled said either it was too early to be concerned
about the candidates or they did not care.
Source: AnglerSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com are monthly national
online surveys of sportsmen and women providing industry and
policymakers with information on angling, hunting and shooting sports
trends, activity and sales. In addition to monitoring sportsmen and
women’s attitudes, AnglerSurvey and HunterSurvey also tracks top
brands, the percentage of sales for specific products occurring at
specific types of retailers, average price points, and more. For more
information, contact Rob Southwick at Rob@SouthwickAssociates.com.
Economic Impact
posted 09092007
Tournament fishing is not just for anglers anymore. In fact, local
businesses are the real winners when FLWOutdoors — the world’s leading
tournament fishing organization — brings a high-profile tournament to
town. In2007, FLWOutdoors will administer 241 tournaments
through 12 tournament trails, with purses of nearly $43 million.
(download file (PDF) to read more) |
