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More women are heading afield

NSGA reports a dramatic increase in numbers of female hunters

Women’s participation in hunting increased over the last five years by 75 percent, according to a new survey by the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA). The organization reports that an estimated 3 million women now hunt, and as many as 5 million regularly shoot. That means women now account for about 15 percent of the shooting, hunting, and firearms marketplace.

The survey showed that the number of women who hunted with firearms increased 72 percent between 2001 and 2005 and the number of women who hunted with bow and arrow increased by 176 percent. Overall women’s hunting jumped by 75 percent. The dramatic increase was attributed to the numerous programs to introduce women to hunting, such as the Becoming An Outdoors-Woman program, as well as more manufacturers producing clothing and gear designed for women.