Nationally, archery sales continue upwards

  Just read a survey of state wildlife agencies by Archery Business magazine.  Last year 3.64 million archery licenses were sold.  The highest ever. In addition, last year saw the largest increase, year to year, of the last ten years.  The Archery Trade Association reports that technological improvements in compound bows making them easier to shoot accurately along with expanding crossbow inclusion are contributing to the increase.   Along with equipment improvements, the ATA reports hunters are looking for additional opportunities and are embracing the challenges of bowhunting.
 
  Several threads here have touched on archery hunter numbers versus firearms hunter numbers. As I mentioned, participation in archery continues to increase while it decreases for firearms.  Not just in Pa. but nationally.  Both user groups are moving towards the center line. 
 
C'mon Dars, join the movement.
 
 
 

I think in Ohio it is 80% or higher of all hunters archery hunt.

To many houses going up. Archery and crossbows are the best bet. Off the top of my head, I think the safety zone for archery is much shorter than for rifle.

Another point to consider with all of this is that some folks worry about a climbing archery harvest.  What we will see is a shifting of harvest from later in the season to earlier with more archery participation and decreasing firearms.
 
Archery harvest must increase to offset decreasing firearms harvest to meet management goals.  Not just here but elsewhere.

ORIGINAL: dpms

  Just read a survey of state wildlife agencies by Archery Business magazine.  Last year 3.64 million archery licenses were sold.  The highest ever. In addition, last year saw the largest increase, year to year, of the last ten years.  The Archery Trade Association reports that technological improvements in compound bows making them easier to shoot accurately along with expanding crossbow inclusion are contributing to the increase.   Along with equipment improvements, the ATA reports hunters are looking for additional opportunities and are embracing the challenges of bowhunting.

Several threads here have touched on archery hunter numbers versus firearms hunter numbers. As I mentioned, participation in archery continues to increase while it decreases for firearms.  Not just in Pa. but nationally.  Both user groups are moving towards the center line. 

C'mon Dars, join the movement.

 
I shot a bow way back in the stone age before compunds in a high school intermural league.  Wasn't bad at it for a recruve and fingers   Heck, I even tormented some live critters with the thing back then.  But I simply have no desire to hunt with one now.  In addition, I have other things that I prefer to do during the archery season and I like shooting deer with a rifle.
 
In all actuality, I would give up deer hunting (not that it would take much to get me to that even right now) before I would archery hunt.  Not that I have anything against others doing it, it is just not for me.
 

Luck is what one counts on when they have no skill -- so thanks, I'll need it.

Discharging guns are always going to be a problem in populated areas. More populated areas need to have organized archery hunts and have the hunter qualify before getting a permit. Does seem to out number the bucks so make it a doe first and then buck. Qualifying is a must, too many shoot and hope. A wounded deer running around the playground and through peoples yard is not what we want to see.

Most of the time. We are talking the safety aspect here of guns vs bows. Many places guns are not even considered for obvious reasons.