Late fall and winter are typically ideal times for hunting based on licensing, type of hunt, and different climates. Rifle season is just around the corner in Minnesota, and we found this information very intriguing, so thought we would share with our group of fellow outdoor enthusiasts.

These ten interesting hunting facts can give you a valuable insight into the hunting industry in the United States:

1. Between equipment and trip-related costs, the hunting industry soared to over $26 billion in 2016.
2. Hunters are the biggest direct supporters of wildlife preservation, funding a range of programs by paying billions of dollars in excise tax on firearms, ammunition, and other hunting-related equipment, as stipulated in the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, more commonly known as the Pittman-Robertson Act.
3. There are more than 15 million licensed hunters in the United States, according to data from 2017.
4. The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a spike in hunting in 2020, with states reporting a moderate to massive increase in new hunting license buyers.
5. Hunting has helped generate over 680,000 jobs across the United States.
6. Baby boomers account for nearly a third of the United States hunting population.
7. According to the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA-USA), there are less than 1,000 firearm-related accidents per year, of which only .08% are fatal.
8. Hunters are increasingly important to wildlife management, with over 10 million hunters scouting and successfully hunting over 6 million white-tailed deer annually between 2010 - 2013.
9. In an effort to help protect endangered wildlife (like the native Condor), California passed a controversial bill banning the use of lead-based ammunition for hunting, with a second phase of banning the use of shotguns for small game mammals and upland game birds.
10. Many celebrities have been confirmed to be avid hunters, including pop music icon Madonna, country singer Blake Shelton, and Marvel Cinematic Universe actor Chris Pratt.

The hunting industry is a huge support for wildlife in the United States. While we love the increase of people exploring and supporting the outdoors, we continue to encourage Leave No Trace practices every time you venture out into the

What’s a unique hunting fact that you know?

Source: Black Mountain Outfitters