Hunters & Shooters to Make Firearms Purchases in 2011
FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. –-(Ammoland.com)- While recessional concerns continue to plague many sectors of the economy, the future looks good for the companies that supply America’s hunters and shooters with the primary tools of their activities—rifles and shotguns.
In a survey conducted by HunterSurvey.com, more than 40 percent of sportsmen said they intend to purchase a new rifle in 2011, while nearly a quarter of them anticipate buying a shotgun.
“This is great news for firearms manufacturers. While we know many people who want a new firearm won’t actually get around to buying one, the level of interest among active hunters and shooters is shows there is still strength in the market,” said Rob Southwick, president of Southwick Associates, which designs and conducts the surveys at HunterSurvey.com and AnglerSurvey.com.
“Continued increases in NICS background checks and excise tax collections show the firearms sector is performing much better than the overall economy, and it looks like growth might continue in the near future.”
The news bodes well for our nation’s gun makers and dealers, many of them small businesses that provide jobs for tens of thousands of Americans. When asked by HunterSurvey.com what hunting and shooting products they planned on purchasing in 2011, 41.1 percent said their purchases would include a rifle and 23.9 percent will buy a shotgun.
Additional key items sportsmen intend to purchase throughout the remainder of the year include bows (14.9 percent) and muzzleloaders (9 percent). More than 55 percent expect to buy some type of optics including scopes, binoculars, spotting scopes and/or rangefinders.
Those who hunt, fish and target shoot are invited to participate in the surveys conducted on HunterSurvey.com and AnglerSurvey.com. Each month, participants who complete the survey are entered into a drawing for one of five $100 gift certificates to the sporting goods retailer of their choice.
About AnglerSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com:
Launched in 2006, AnglerSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com help the outdoor equipment industry, government fisheries and wildlife officials and conservation organizations track consumer activities and expenditure trends. The information above represents only a small sample of the vast amount of data collected from the complete survey results and available to government agencies, businesses, the media and other interested parties. Results are scientifically analyzed to reflect the attitudes and habits of anglers and hunters across the United States.