Insights into Anglers and Hunters: A 2007 Summary

Written by AnglerSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com

Wednesday, 12 December 2007

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 Nation¹s 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 gasprices 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 candidates¹ 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 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 12 December 2007 )

 

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