I was wrong, very wrong. When it comes to hunters and anglers purchasing habits I missed in a big way. Last year I figured hunters and anglers would respond to increased cost in food and fuel by reducing their purchases on their leisure activities. I figured after a year or two of absorbing it as ‘the cost of doing business, we’d see some major changes. But the most recent numbers from May suggest otherwise.

By most people’s standards I fall in the middle of America, I’m a four year college graduate in a professional career with a wife and three young children. After 36 years on earth, I’d say I’m inching towards middle age. So I wrongly assumed my own personal response to an increase in gas, groceries and just about everything used daily, would equate to a reduction in money spent on hobbies and non-essentials. It just made sense to me. When the economy takes a downward dip, costs increase and income doesn’t climb, we all make decisions. Like it or not the priority in terms of spending money, the donations and memberships to clubs are obvious targets to reduce spending while earnings fail to match the increased cost of living. I hear from others in similar family situations and while they continue to give to charitable organizations and remain a part of Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and other conservation groups, they have consciously put on hold plans to replace decoys, buy new fishing setups and other non-essential upgrades.

Boulder, Colorado, July 16th, 2008 - Consumers geared up to get out in May, snapping up products such as tents, sleeping bags, packs, climbing gear, water bottles, camp accessories, shell jackets, hiking boots, trail running shoes, multisport shoes and sportswear, all of which made significant gains over May 2007 and contributed to the fifth straight month of overall sales growth in 2008 for core outdoor retail channels.*

May continued an ongoing trend of healthy 2008 sales, outselling the same month last year for the fifth straight month according to the Outdoor Industry Association Outdoor Topline Report (produced by the Leisure Trends Group). Total outdoor product sales from all three channels (specialty, chain and internet)* reached $449M in May and gained 14% in units and 12% in dollars over May 2007. All four major product segments (equipment, equipment accessories, apparel and footwear) increased dollar sales over last May.

What’s even more interesting is the upward trend from even last year. Seriously, if you look at it in terms of say duck numbers, we’d all prefer an increase, but maintaining numbers and not losing them is really a bench mark. And when those numbers are exceeded, it’s almost gravy. I must admit an increase upon last year was even more of a surprise, when personally I continued without an intentional reduction in my outdoor expenditures.

Outdoor internet stores enjoyed robust sales increases yet again, as total May sales grew 31% in units and 25% in dollars.

Looking within the numbers we also see internet outdoor sales continue to surge, and I can attest. One way of saving fuel is purchasing over the internet. Sure there are drawbacks of not being able to hold it in your hand and with guns and some items, getting a feel with the grip, weight and body is a must. But clothing, decoys and replacement products are easily purchased with fewer concerns and can actually save time, money with bargains and gas on top of it. I’m not going on a limb predicting internet sales will continue to grow.

Hidden within all these numbers and purchasing trends is that fact wildlife and fisheries managment are enormously dependent not only on license sales, but the excise taxes embedded in these transactions. A reduction in outdoor recreation buying, would equate to less revenue into the managment of our fish and wildlife populations and habitat. We’ll dig deeper into that as this issue will not be fading soon.

http://www.outdoorindustry.org