The Economist took a look at the state of America’s hunting industry:

• The hunting industry has rapidly grown to be worth $33.7 billion.
• Yet the number of hunts has drastically decreased.
• This paradox is explained by baby boomers who are getting older and richer. This allows them to purchase more expensive hunting equipment.
• The modern hunter has access to laser sights, 1,000 meter range finders, and night-vision scopes covered by federal arms export restrictions.
• While the hunters might be richer fewer of them are hunting. They are getting older and it’s difficult now for them to do things like climb trees.
• (Male) hunters also point to the empowerment of women. Men can no longer just disappear for a week to go hunting without informing their wives.
• The mania for giant antlers has meant that landowners close down their grounds when game with big antlers are spotted, making hunting less appealing.

The full article is actually about the rise of bow-hunting in the United States, what it’s like, why it’s threatened by cross-bow hunting, and more. You should read it here.

Source: The Economist