Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News Hunting

Spiking Interest in Hunting Due to Pandemic?

Monday, November 23, 2020

Spiking Interest in Hunting Due to Pandemic?

Americans have been dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic for the vast majority of 2020, and depending on what state one lives in, the impact on daily life has varied from relatively benign to approaching draconian. Regardless of how any particular governing authority has responded, everyone in our country has had to make some sort of adjustment to how they operate day-to-day.

While the message of social distancing, wearing masks, and avoiding indoor activities have permeated the nation, it seems that many are choosing to break the bonds of being isolated—whether voluntarily or by virtual government mandate—in their own homes.

The great escape? Hunting.

Getting out in nature, where one is naturally socially distant, to hunt game is one of our nations oldest and greatest pastimes. And now it appears to be seeing a resurgence, as Americans decide to either explore this activity as a new experience, or decide to renew their interest in a part of their past they let lie fallow.

According to some reports, several states are seeing a spike in the sale of hunting licenses. Along with the unprecedented increase in the sale of firearms this year, it would appear that there is a rebirth in the interest in our great hunting heritage.

Clearly, much of the increase in firearms sales is due to concern over personal safety during uncertain times, but an increased interest in hunting has also contributed to the rise in Americas ownership of firearms.

In Michigan, the Department of Natural Resources reported a nearly 10% increase in hunting licenses as of November 11, when compared to the same time last year. Even more impressive, there was an 80% increase reported for licenses acquired for the first time in five years—and many of those are likely first-time-ever licenses. Licenses for female hunters are up 20%, and up 18% for those aged nine or younger.

Zane Goucher, a Michigan resident, hunted as a child in Maine with his father, but had not taken to the field in 22 years.

Id been meaning to get back into it but never did,” he told the AP. COVID-19 led to a number of changes in daily life, including seeing his four children having to undergo online schooling, so Goucher decided to get back into hunting, with the pandemics impact giving him that boost to make it happen.”

Zane recently took to the field again, along with his 12-year-old daughter, as Michigans firearm deer hunting season opened. Along with getting his kids into the great outdoors, the impact on Goucher was a reawakening, kinda gets me back to my roots.”

Wisconsin, meanwhile, has seen similar increases. Archery hunting licenses are up 12%, and firearm hunting licenses have seen a 9.5% increase.

Is this a national trend? Its hard to say, as many states will not have numbers to report until the end of the year. But for many of those states where numbers are available, it appears the interest in hunting is on the rise. Maine, for example, has reported deer hunting permits have set a new state record, while Nevada and Vermont have also experienced a significant rise in hunting.

Getting out of the house, after months of isolation, is certainly a good thing to improve your mental and physical health. But getting out into nature, and taking part in our great hunting heritage, has even greater benefits; and not just for the individual hunter.

Hunters are not just integral to sound wildlife management practices, but they also help those who are less fortunate. Programs like NRAs Hunters for the Hungry have long helped those who may have difficulty feeding themselves or their family. By contributing meat from their successful hunts to food banks, generous hunters help the needy. During times like these, that generosity may be more important than ever. Of course, COVID-19 has impacted such programs, so any hunters that wish to donate their harvest should check local operations to be aware of any new rules that may apply in order for them to assist those in need.

We may not know until next year if an increase in the interest in hunting this year is a truly national trend, and a bright spot in a tumultuous 2020. Initial reports, however, look encouraging.

IN THIS ARTICLE
Hunting Covid-19
TRENDING NOW
First Affirmative Lawsuit in Support of Gun Owners Filed by Trump’s DOJ

News  

Monday, October 6, 2025

First Affirmative Lawsuit in Support of Gun Owners Filed by Trump’s DOJ

California officials’ egregious foot-dragging over the issuance of carry permits has finally attracted the ire of the federal Department of Justice (DOJ). 

California: Governor Newsom Signs Gun Control Bills Into Law

Monday, October 13, 2025

California: Governor Newsom Signs Gun Control Bills Into Law

For someone who has claimed to be"...deeply mindful and respectful of the Second Amendment and people’s Constitutional rights,” Governor Gavin Newsom has once again proven that actions speak louder than words.

Firearm Prohibition Advocates Mute on Jay Jones “Two Bullets to the Head” Scandal

News  

Monday, October 13, 2025

Firearm Prohibition Advocates Mute on Jay Jones “Two Bullets to the Head” Scandal

Democrat Jay Jones, candidate for Virginia attorney general, still has not suspended his campaign, even as pressure mounts over disclosures that should disqualify, to put it mildly, any individual from serving as the chief law ...

NRA Files Another Lawsuit Challenging the National Firearms Act

Thursday, October 9, 2025

NRA Files Another Lawsuit Challenging the National Firearms Act

Today, the National Rifle Association—along with the American Suppressor Association, Firearms Policy Coalition, and Second Amendment Foundation—announced the filing of another lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA).

FBI Persists in Underreporting Armed Citizen Defensive Gun Use

News  

Monday, October 13, 2025

FBI Persists in Underreporting Armed Citizen Defensive Gun Use

Three years ago, Dr. John Lott of the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC), writing for RealClearInvestigations, described how the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was vastly undercounting, “by an order of more than three the number of instances in ...

Rehearing En Banc Sought in NRA-Supported Challenge to New Jersey’s Carry Restrictions

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Rehearing En Banc Sought in NRA-Supported Challenge to New Jersey’s Carry Restrictions

Today, the National Rifle Association announced the filing of a petition for rehearing en banc in Siegel v. Platkin, a challenge to New Jersey’s carry restrictions.

North Carolina: Update on Permitless Carry

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

North Carolina: Update on Permitless Carry

Last week the North Carolina General Assembly briefly returned from recess and re-referred Senate Bill 50, Freedom to Carry NC, to the House Rules Committee.

NRA Files Amicus Brief Urging SCOTUS to Hear Challenge to Ban on Firearms Possession by Nonviolent Felons

Thursday, October 9, 2025

NRA Files Amicus Brief Urging SCOTUS to Hear Challenge to Ban on Firearms Possession by Nonviolent Felons

Today, the National Rifle Association, along with the Second Amendment Foundation, Firearms Policy Coalition, and FPC Action Foundation, filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a challenge to the federal lifetime prohibition on ...

Trump Administration Repeals Biden Era Firearms Export Crackdown

News  

Monday, October 6, 2025

Trump Administration Repeals Biden Era Firearms Export Crackdown

Last Monday, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) at the U.S. Department of Commerce published a final rule that reversed a crackdown on the commercial export of firearms from the U.S. to other countries.

US Virgin Islands: Sweeping Gun Control Measures Advance

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

US Virgin Islands: Sweeping Gun Control Measures Advance

The 36th Legislature of the US Virgin Islands is continuing to advance sweeping gun control measures through the legislative process.

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.