Reports Show Camping is on the Rise!!
Fri Oct 30, 2009
Author: Bob Frye
Source: Trib Total Media
If you spent any time camping this summer and fall, you weren't alone.
A report that examined trends in outdoor recreation this past year determined that 7.4 percent more people went car and backyard camping this summer than last year.
The report, the "Special Report on Camping," was conducted by The Outdoor Foundation and The Coleman Co. Inc.
The sour economy is believed to have influenced the decision for more people to camp because it is a relatively inexpensive vacation option.
That's OK though, the report suggests, because "camping is an important gateway to increased participation in outdoor activities and a healthy active lifestyle." More than 84 percent of campers also do things such as hike, fish and boat.
The study also determined that most campers are male (56 percent to 42 percent female), and many — about one third of the overall total — are between the ages of 25 and 44. Those 45 and older make up 29 percent of campers.
Most campers have a household income of between $50,000 and $74,999 (24.7 percent) or $100,000-plus (24.9 percent).
Friends and parents are the most influential in introducing campers to outdoor activities. The full report can be downloaded at Outdoorfoundation.org/research.
PARTNERSHIP
FLW Outdoors, the people who brought the Forrest Wood Cup to Pittsburgh this past summer, and the grassroots Bass Federation have extended their partnership.
Terms of the multi-year agreement were not released.
Under the deal, the TBF National Championship will continue to be nationally televised and held in conjunction with a FLW Tour event. The National Guard TBF Junior World Championship will continue to be held in conjunction with the Forrest Wood Cup, too.
Additionally, Bass Federation anglers will continue to have a chance to make the Forrest Wood Cup.
ON THE MOVE
Want to know where the ducks are this fall and winter waterfowling season? Ducks Unlimited has the answer.
The group has posted an online interactive migration map that tracks where ducks and geese are across the country. Hunters can check it to see when they might expect to see various species in their zip code.
The site — Openingday.ducks.org — also features articles, weather maps, video and gear features. It went live Sept. 1 and will be live until Jan. 31.
MENTORING
If you take a child hunting or to the shooting range this fall, you could win some prizes.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is coordinating a "Step Outside" program meant to encourage kids to get involved in the outdoors. This year, as part of that campaign, mentors and children can visit Stepoutside.org and complete a short survey. All who do are eligible to win one of five $1,000 gift certificates to Bass Pro Shops. The deadline to register is Jan. 1.
