.


.Nationwide, spending on hunting gear is soaring, says the National Shooting
Sports Foundation, which tracks hunting trends.


Companies that make, distribute or sell sporting firearms, ammunition and
supplies generated $27.8 billion in economic activity in 2009, vs. $19.1
billion in 2008, says the group's 2010 Firearms and Ammunition Industry
Economic Impact Report. Those companies paid $450 million in excise taxes
in 2009, up 38% from 2008, the report shows.


"During difficult times, people are looking for ways to cut down on costs
and save as much money as possible," says Chuck Schlueter, spokesman for
South Dakota's Game, Fish and Parks Department. "Hunting helps on the
grocery bills."


More than 18.8 million people hunted with firearms in 2009, vs. 19.75
million in 2008, says Larry Weindruch of the National Sporting Goods
Association. Yet in states where hunting is a large contributor to the
economy, license sales are on the rise, according to the National Rifle
Association.


• New York. The cost of a resident basic hunting license was raised from
$19 to $29 in April 2009, said Lori Severino, a spokeswoman for the state
Department of Environmental Conservation. Yet license sales rose more than
10% to 1.13 million from 2007 to 2009, according to the agency.


• South Dakota. Licenses sold rose to 393,000 last year, up 4,000 from
2008, and another rise is expected this season, Schlueter says. Hunting
"allows you to put meat in the freezer."


• Pennsylvania. License sales grew from 924,448 licenses in 2007 to 948,381
for 2009, reports the Pennsylvania Game Commission. "People may stick
closer to home during tough economic times," spokesman Jerry Feaser says.
"There is a very rich hunting tradition in the commonwealth. When things
get tough, people return to what is familiar as a way to cope with how
things are."


• Texas. Clayton Wolf of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department predicts
another rise in license sales this year on top of the 10% increase in sales
from 2008 to 2009. In tough times, "People ... may cut back in some areas,
and they may not go hunting as often as they would in good times," said
Gary Moody, chief of the wildlife division of the Alabama Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources. "But people are going to hunt."


Dustin Tyler, a hunter from Millbrook, Ala., agreed as he prepared for
opening day of his state's dove-hunting season. "I know a lot of folks who
have really cut back on things since it started getting tough," he said.
"But all my friends that hunt continue to hunt. It's a great way for the
family to spend quality time together."