Alarming stats on the declining number of hunters in the US

I’m raising 3 more.

Although for me personally, I’d like to see a decline of fishermen. Couldn’t hardly find a spot on opening night of Snook season.

And that suppose to be bad? Most of it is due to the cost of hunting.

As the number of hunters decline so do funds for wildlife conservation and the political influence to keep hunting legal in many areas.

Not to mention the loss of tribal hunting knowledge from older hunters.

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hunting knowledge from older hunters.

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Growing up, my grandfather was my absolute best friend. He taught me more about being a fine outdoorsman and steward of the land than any IPad or YouTube.

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Some states have cryptic regulations

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This times a million.

I always hear these stats discussed and I just shake my head. If hunting is declining it isn’t happening down here, or more hunters are being pushed into a smaller area as urban sprawl and land prices increase. Growing up it never felt this cramped. Even taking inflation into account, my dad paid a third what I would now for a lease membership, and would have triple the acreage per member. I don’t think there’s really anything that can or will change, people are just having to decide how much of a priority hunting is for them and what they want out of it more so than previous generations.

I think the increased cost and limited access to land is to blame for the reduction. It's going to be an elitist sport in the next 30 years.

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I think the increased cost and limited access to land is to blame for the reduction. It's going to be an elitist sport in the next 30 years.

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We have over 2 million acres of public land in Louisiana. Seventy percent of hunting in the west occurs on public ground.

Access to land is an excuse, not a problem. It just takes more work and more patience to hunt public.

The decline in hunters is a real problem, but I don't think it's due to the cost. My biggest expense each year is my hunting and fishing licenses and restringing my bow (if needed). Nothing wrong with the guns I have. Might need a new box of ammo here or there. Nothing wrong with my camo. I take care of it and it lasts several hunting seasons.

People choose to spend tons of money on hunting. Our grandfathers didn't have all these fancy gadgets and gizmos to hunt, and still killed plenty of game.

Just like farmers. Fewer of them, farming more acres.

I sometimes wonder if the intense focus on deer hunting has pushed many people out.

Small game hunting offers much of the same thrill at a fraction of the cost and can also be a social activity. My guess is the number of small game hunters has declined even more than overall hunting.