dropouts

   Read a National population stat. yesterday that really made the lowering number of Hunters Nationwide hit home.
Since 1963 our population has  increased by around 60%- NOW take a look at the lower numbers of hunters. It gives it a whole new perspective. As I recall the 1963 number was about 190 million and the 2005 number was about 330.
   If that increase in gross population was factored into the lower hunter stats it would be scearey. Makes those comments some of us were making about kids not getting involved even more relevant.
  It also goes to show how the great divide between Urban and Rural is ever growing.

Johnny--
     After being shocked at the population numbers and realizing how few NEW kids are involved in our sport it became VERY clear to me that in one generation more  public hunting is in deep trouble.
      Consider how many hunters now are older guys like me and guys in their 40s and 50s. Then try and figure the percentage of hunters to gross population left when we pass.
      No wonder places like PA, where hunting has always been a huge part of life, are seeing such minimal ( according to most of you guys) support from above. Its already happening to a great degree elsewhere.
    Imagine what it will be like when the percentage of hunters to gross population is only a mere fraction of what it is today- No more CLOUT means less consideration in lawmaking.
  We may indeed be the last great generation of Hunters who can enjoy our chosen sport the way we now do. No stone throwin here - thats just the way it works out.
 

Somebody ran into a gate across a road in the woods and sued and got a lot of money. For real- it was govt  property. Wont say what State  cause dont want e-mails and hate monger stuff.
Now the state and local towns are trying to limit or stop passive use of those properties cause they are scared of more lawsuits from people who cant see a metal gate across the road in broad daylight. Say the antis.
Now at least one City is looking into stopping hunting too- They will use any excuse to get us.................and it may work. All ya gotta do is say lawsuit and they all give up.
This is the kind of stuff that happens all the time in very URBAN places. Hunters become a very very small minority and loose. The hunting community gets smaller and smaller and the gross population continues to grow to the point wherein "our sport' is pushed aside more and more by those who do not participate or understand what we do. Nobody cares about what we enjoy, they just want to continue their lives and we are not even an afterthought.
  More people=more urban= less hunters = no hunting.( except for those of us who are willing to turn Indian)

   Really hope that represents more guys out hunting Johnny- not just more shops having closed up and your guy being one of the few left. Around here its getting tough to find fishing/hunting shops anymore- ya have to go to a big box store for your stuff. It looses all the personal touches we so enjoy at those owner/ operated stores.