Hunter Stereotypes

The 2011 census of hunting and fishing found 13.7 million hunters in the U.S. engaged for 282 million days.  (Hunting included not only firearms, but also bowhunters.)  They spent $14.3 billion on hunting.[1]  Unsurprisingly, a majority (52%) of hunters engaged in target shooting in preparation for hunting.[2]

Contrary to the stereotype of hunters as poorly educated rednecks, the largest household income category of hunters was $75,000 to $99,999 per year (9%).  A startling 5% of hunters had household incomes exceeding $150,000 per year; and 27% had four or more years of college.  Compared to the 2006 census, the percentage of the population that hunts has increased 9%.[3]

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[1] U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, (Washington: 2014), 1-4.

[2] Ibid., 28.

[3] Ibid., 31.