By The Numbers
Survey Reveals Notable Hook & Bullet Stats

Photo: BassFan According to survey statistics, smallmouth bass are the second-most popular freshwater species in July.

And just as important, as participation numbers fall in both categories, surveys can help pinpoint the reasons why.

Quite a bit of information was recently released by Southwick Associates – an independent firm that operates AnglerSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com. Both sites monitor sportsmen and women's monthly outdoor activities, purchases and opinions.

These surveys have become an important tool in helping the American Sportfishing Association, industry, media, and fishery managers understand the trends affecting participation and sales.

What follows are some highlights from recent Southwick surveys.

Most anglers release the fish they catch.
Most anglers choose to release most of the fish they catch. According to a January 2007 poll by AnglerSurvey.com, 60% of anglers said they release most of the fish they catch, while 18% responded they release all the fish they catch. Only 21% keep most or all of their catch.

Fishing equipment's not a big holiday gift-giving item.
Anglers were asked if they give or receive fishing equipment and tackle over the holiday season. According to a January 2006 poll by AnglerSurvey.com, 40% of anglers did not receive or purchase fishing equipment as a gift. Only 22% said they did receive fishing equipment as a gift and 22% said they did give and receive equipment as a gift over the season.

Friends are the best source for product information.
When seeking information about which products to buy, recommendations from friends were reported as having the greatest influence (40% of anglers and 36% of hunters). Endorsements by personalities and television commercials have the least effect, with 5% or less of respondents favoring each of these sources.

Anglers and hunters are split on whether the nation's energy needs outweigh the potential environmental impacts that may occur.
Many people wonder if our nation's energy needs outweigh potential environmental damage that might occur if the U.S. drills for oil in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. According to AnglerSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com, sportsmen are split over this issue.

Almost half either strongly or somewhat agreed that our energy needs outweigh the environmental risks (46% of anglers and 55% of hunters), while half (48% of anglers and 38% of hunters) felt the environmental dangers are greater. The remaining were undecided or had no opinion.

What motivates people to hunt and fish?
There are many reasons why people hunt and fish, according to polls of over 2,400 hunters and anglers. Experiencing nature, relaxation, and spending time with family and friends are the top reasons for getting outdoors.

"Most anglers and hunters go outdoors for more than one reason," Rob Southwick said, who oversees the monthly surveys. "Our poll focused on the most significant reason why people hunt and fish. People who don't hunt and fish may think bringing home dinner is the major motivation for hunters and anglers, but that's not the case. The true benefits from time spent outdoors are to unwind, experience nature and to reconnect with others. The results reinforce similar findings from other recent scientific studies."

Who do anglers trust the most for accurate information on fish-and-wildlife issues?
When it comes to obtaining accurate information, what source do anglers prefer? An April 2007 poll showed that 42% of anglers prefer state fish-and-wildlife agencies for accurate conservation-related information, followed by 19% who prefer magazines.

Half of all hunters report shooting ranges are not convenient
Limited shooting-range opportunities are reducing participation for many interested target shooters. Forty-eight percent of the 1,299 hunters and shooters who participated in the national poll reported having access to a shooting range as often as desired. But 40% reported they'd use shooting ranges more often if they were more convenient.

Conveniences varied from better hours, shorter distances to the range, being open to the public, not knowing of any local ranges, and allowing the use of different types of firearms.

More anglers use magazines as their fishing source.

Anglers use magazines as their top source to learn more about fishing and for fishing entertainment. According to a June 2007 poll by AnglerSurvey.com, 43% of anglers reported magazines as their top sources and 24% reported websites. Television was selected by 19% of anglers and 9% cited newspapers.

Where do fishing and hunting license revenues go? Most sportsmen don't know.
Do hunters and anglers really know who spends their license dollars? Only 39% of anglers and 47% of hunters knew the correct answer – that 100% of all license dollars goes to the state fish and wildlife agency. Sixty-eight percent of anglers and hunters believe some or all license dollars go into the general state treasury.

All states dedicate 100% of their license revenues to fish-and-wildlife management. Failure to do so will cause a state to lose its share of federal excise tax dollars generated from the sale of fishing and hunting equipment and motorboat fuels. In 2007, nearly $350 million in fishing excise tax dollars and $267 million in hunting excise taxes were distributed to state fish-and-wildlife agencies to benefit sportsmen and conservation.

Anglers who use non-lead sinkers or jigheads think they worked equally well.

Anglers were asked their opinions about lead and non-lead sinkers and jigheads. Twenty-eight percent reported non-lead sinkers and jigheads perform equally as well as lead, and 11% reported almost as well. Only 14% reported that non-lead sinkers perform "okay" or "not great." Forty-seven percent didn't know how non-lead tackle performed compared to lead tackle.

Cost is another issue. Forty-seven percent reported lead was slightly to much more expensive than non-lead, while 45% didn't know or had no opinion.

Only 8% said they never take any preventative measures.

How will rising gasoline prices impact hunting and fishing this year?
Gas prices are impacting fishing and hunting. Over half of all anglers and 40% of hunters indicated rising gas prices will cause them to reduce their outdoor activities or reduce their travel distance and boat use in 2007. The rest indicated that rising fuel prices would not hinder their outdoor activity, or were not sure of the impacts.

Southwick, who's also an economist, noted: "We've seen in past research that rising gasoline prices depress fishing-license sales in many areas, but the recent increases in fuel prices are unprecedented. Many anglers and hunters gradually accept higher prices and they'll return and participate as they have before. However, until the effects of higher fuel prices can be moderated via higher-efficiency engines and other solutions, we may lose some hunters and anglers completely."

Most anglers use conventional tackle when fishing.
Most anglers (53%) only use conventional tackle (spinning, spincast, and baitcast gear). Thirty-one percent use conventional tackle most of the time, and fly-fishing gear some times. Only 1% said they fly fish only, while less than 6% mostly fly fish and use conventional fishing tackle some of the time. The remainder reported using other types of fishing tackle.

Anglers prefer artificials in mid-season.
According to AnglerSurvey.com in July, the current preferred tactic for freshwater anglers was fishing with artificial baits (79%), while 43% fished with live bait and 14% fished with dead bait. Sixty-four percent of saltwater anglers used artificial baits while 58% fished with live bait and 54% used dead bait. The most popular fish in July for freshwater anglers was largemouth bass (58%) followed by smallmouth bass (34%). For saltwater fishing, July anglers mostly targeted striped bass (37%) and flounder (34%).

Shooting enthusiasts enjoy shooting the AR-15 rifle.
Many hunters and target shooters enjoy the AR-15 rifle. Over one-third of HunterSurvey respondents said they enjoyed using AR-15 style rifles. "The AR-15 style rifle is growing in popularity faster than any rifle in America today," said firearms industry expert Ray Oeltjen of High Sierra Consulting and formerly of Federal Cartridge and Leupold Riflescopes. "There are more than 20 manufacturers producing them today, and they all are struggling to keep up with the demand."

Anglers are making efforts not to introduce non-native species into fishing waters.
Anglers were asked if they take any preventative measures to avoid the accidental introduction of non-native species into fishing waters, and 82% of anglers indicated they sometimes or always take preventative measures to protect waters. Since the introduction of non-native species is a growing problem, anglers appear to be making efforts to lessen this problem. Only 8% said they never take any preventative measures.

Anglers are concerned about the issues.
Anglers were asked in a poll by AnglerSurvey.com if they consider themselves knowledgeable regarding current state and federal issues affecting the quality of fishing. Of the 1,148 anglers who responded, 48% indicated they keep an eye on the issues and focus on those that affect them directly, while 25% said they watch the issues closely and 22% said they don't follow the issues as closely as they'd like.

Anglers and hunters do not think presidential candidates have adequately indicated their opinions about hunting and fishing.
AnglerSurey.com and HunterSurvey.com asked U.S. sportsmen and women about their perceptions of the presidential candidates' hunting and fishing opinions. Most anglers (54%) and hunters (58%) indicated that few or none of the candidates have indicated their place on the issues relating to hunting and fishing. Most appear to be paying attention to the candidates' statements as only 22% of anglers and 19% hunters reported having not listened to the candidates about their positions. Under 20% of those polled said either it was too early to be concerned about the candidates or they didn't care.

Notable

> The sources for this summary, AnglerSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com, are monthly national online surveys of sportsmen and women providing industry and policymakers with information on angling, hunting and shooting-sports trends, activity and sales. In addition to monitoring sportsmen and women's attitudes, AnglerSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com also track top brands, the percentage of sales for specific products occurring at specific types of retailers, average price points, and more.