Hunter Numbers Up

With the hunting seasons starting to take shape, I thought I'd pass along some numbers to you that seem to reverse a downward trend. A new report shows more people are hunting and that is good news for conservation, according to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. A just-released 2011 national survey shows 13.7 million people age 16 and older went hunting last year, which marks a 9% increase over 2006. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service data show hunters spent $34 billion last year on equipment, licenses, trips and other items to support their hunting activities. The more hunters spend on firearms, ammunition, bows, arrows and hunting licenses, the more money is generated to provide necessary funding for successful science-based wildlife management across the United States. With it's antelope now or other critters in the near future, here's wishing you a successful season! DB