Bow and Handgun Hunting Steadily on the Increase

by
posted on October 11, 2024
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Registration Numbers On The Rise For The 2025 ATA Show LEDE

A “2023 Special Report on Hunting,” issued by the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA), indicates archery and handgun hunting growth is on the increase, while post-pandemic participation with firearms remains relatively stable. Early registration for the annual Archery Trade Association (ATA) Show—which returns to Indianapolis at the Indiana Convention Center from Jan. 8 to the 10th, 2025—indicates the trend has not slowed, either.

According to OIA’s study, 14.7 million Americans hunted at least once in 2022 with either a firearm or archery equipment. The figure represents a one-percent increase compared to the previous year. Those with a handgun or bow, however, fueled that gain. Enthusiasts taking a rifle or shotgun afield remained relatively steady. 

The ATA show, like the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT), is open only to industry professionals. Registration opened Aug. 1 and more than 450 exhibitors and 700-plus retail businesses are expected to attend what is the world’s largest gathering of archery and bowhunting professionals.

“We expect a great turnout at the upcoming ATA Show,” said Jeff Poole, ATA president and CEO. “Feedback from the 2024 event was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees are excited to return to Indy to build on last year’s momentum. We look forward to kicking off the new year with all our members and partners at the 2025 ATA Show.”

Professionals in the archery, hunting and outdoor industries know the 2025 ATA Show is a go-to event to discover industry trends, conduct new product evaluations, grow their business and experience unmatched face-to-face interactions that simply can’t be replicated online or over the phone. Valuable educational sessions run throughout the show.

Manufacturers and industry professionals specializing in handguns for hunting—actually, any firearms or related-product—will gather later that month the SHOT Show, which takes place Jan. 23 to 26, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nev. With significant crossover in participants, the event will also attract many of the same firms at ATA.

Latest

Frank Interview With Ammo Depot
Frank Interview With Ammo Depot

Ammunition Depot Offers a Way to Help the NRA

Ammunition Depot, one of the nation’s leading online retailers and suppliers of ammunition, firearms, magazines, accessories and tactical gear, has formed a partnership with the NRA to raise funds to support critical Second Amendment litigation across the country.

Member's Hunt: The Dogger’s Window

A dogger’s goal while pushing deer is to drive the prey into a pocket formed by others in his gang, those hunters who are posted about a hundred yards apart along strategic locations up to a half-mile away from the dogger’s starting point. When everyone is in position, the dogger weaves his way through the woods into the wind and pocket formed by the other hunters. The approaching sound of the dogger snapping twigs and crunching leaves alerts unsuspecting deer.

Federal Ammunition Awarded Contracts to Provide Rifle and Shotgun Ammunition to the Canadian Government

Federal Ammunition was recently awarded contracts to supply two Canadian law enforcement organizations with rifle and shotgun ammunition for duty and training purposes. These agreements will supply the Department of National Defense (DND) with .300 Blackout duty and training rounds, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) with 12-gauge slugs and buckshot duty loads.

Hardware Review: Steiner ePredator LRF & ePredator 8 Riflescope

Looking for a surefire solution for long-range shooting? Look no further. Check out our review of the Steiner ePredator line.

Buckmasters’ New Record Book Reveals Hot Spots, Revamped Rankings

Deer hunters will have the rare opportunity to decipher the current state of whitetail deer when Buckmasters releases the ninth edition of its record book this fall. The 600-page tome shows where, when and by what means these world-class whitetails—25,000 in total—came to be included.

Clean 'em Up—Gun Cleaning 101 for Hunters

Ever wonder how often to clean your gun? How about what to clean it with? How about what to clean it with if you're hunting at 40-below? Phil Massaro answers all these questions and more, in this clean-freaks primer.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.