Target shooting participation

[Wayne02]

Stumbled across this info from the National Sporting Goods Association who purports to track participation in the various sports. I'm sure all kinds of holes can be poked in the statistical accuracy and relevance of the data (they use a survey method to collect the data) but I thought it was kind of interesting anyway.

Main list of reports and methods here:
http://www.nsga.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3346

Now check this out: 1998-2007, target shooting up 63%
http://www.nsga.org/files/public/2007-1998.pdf

however: 2008, target shooting down 3.2%
http://www.nsga.org/files/publ...ge22_4Web_080423.pdf
Why?
Increased ammo prices?
Decreased income/poor economy?
All of the above?

Also note for 2008, muzzleloading -6.1%, and airgun -24.8%.

1998-2007, participation for 45-54 year olds, target shooting +96.6% change.
http://www.nsga.org/files/publ...onby45to54YrOlds.pdf
Look at the ones above Target Shooting - how many 54 year olds do you know who skateboard?

 

[Wayne02]

Stumbled across this info from the National Sporting Goods Association who purports to track participation in the various sports. I'm sure all kinds of holes can be poked in the statistical accuracy and relevance of the data (they use a survey method to collect the data) but I thought it was kind of interesting anyway.

Main list of reports and methods here:
http://www.nsga.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3346

Now check this out: 1998-2007, target shooting up 63%
http://www.nsga.org/files/public/2007-1998.pdf

however: 2008, target shooting down 3.2%
http://www.nsga.org/files/publ...ge22_4Web_080423.pdf
Why?
Increased ammo prices?
Decreased income/poor economy?
All of the above?

Also note for 2008, muzzleloading -6.1%, and airgun -24.8%.

1998-2007, participation for 45-54 year olds, target shooting +96.6% change.
http://www.nsga.org/files/publ...onby45to54YrOlds.pdf
Look at the ones above Target Shooting - how many 54 year olds do you know who skateboard?

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, in the last few years, gasoline and ammo/component prices, plus the economy generally, have reduced the number of shooters at our local high power matches. When it gets more expensive, participation drops. [shrug]

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[2Loud4You]

I would imagine it's a combination of many factors, including ammo cost and the economy.

 

[H Richard]

In the last 60 days, we have had a 20% increase in the membership of our small club, and all of the new members were physicians and family's.

We had a greater participation in our bullseye league this year, with 4 new members, and two are grey headed old men.

 

[Wayne02]

That data does not match real well with what I'm seeing at my club. In terms of competitions and league, Air pistol participation is way up. There has been some drop off in service rifle and shotgun, but the bullseye stuff and benchrest seem to be holding steady.

Membership increased steadily in 07-08 but that doesn't seem to have translated into increased participation in competitions and leagues, unfortunately. Pretty much the same old people doing their thing.

 

[Gutpile Charlie]

I've had to lay off of service rifle competition because I just don't want to consume my ammo stash when buying more is almost impossible.

 

[Springfield Bob]

One of the clubs I shoot at used to host a .22 match twice a month and a large bore match twice a month. It now has .22 matches three times a month and large bore only once a month because of the ammo prices,.

Originally posted by Wayne02:
Stumbled across this info from the National Sporting Goods Association who purports to track participation in the various sports. I'm sure all kinds of holes can be poked in the statistical accuracy and relevance of the data (they use a survey method to collect the data) but I thought it was kind of interesting anyway.

Main list of reports and methods here:
http://www.nsga.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3346

Now check this out: 1998-2007, target shooting up 63%
http://www.nsga.org/files/public/2007-1998.pdf

however: 2008, target shooting down 3.2%
http://www.nsga.org/files/publ...ge22_4Web_080423.pdf
Why?
Increased ammo prices?
Decreased income/poor economy?
All of the above?

Also note for 2008, muzzleloading -6.1%, and airgun -24.8%.

1998-2007, participation for 45-54 year olds, target shooting +96.6% change.
http://www.nsga.org/files/publ...onby45to54YrOlds.pdf
Look at the ones above Target Shooting - how many 54 year olds do you know who skateboard?