Coronavirus and hunting - one year later
We take a look back, and then we look ahead with more predictions for hunting Pandemic Hell 2021
By Pat Lefemine, Founder of Bowsite.com
Before I get into the Pandemic’s impact on hunting – let me first extend my condolences to you and your family if you lost a loved one to the pandemic. My Dad, who is 92, got Covid and survived, but I know people who did not.
Hard to believe it has been a year since I published my thoughts on how the pandemic may affect hunting. You can read the original article here.
Re-reading my predictions (12 months later) it looks like we were pretty accurate - except for a couple outliers.
Let’s review:
Canada and International Hunts would be negatively impacted: unfortunately, this turned out to be true, Canada closed its’ border, and it remains closed as of this writing. Overseas travel ground to a halt, deeply affecting Africa, Australia, Greenland, and other overseas hunts that rely almost exclusively on US and European hunters.
Canada’s border closure was far worse than I expected. We knew there would be no spring bear season in 2020, but we were hoping fall hunts would be available. Not only did we lose both the spring and fall 2020 hunts, but also spring 2021 hunts and fall hunts are now in question. This has been exceptionally hard on Canadian outfitters and business.
US outfitters experience increased demand: This was also true. With Canada and international hunts shut down US hunters turned to domestic outfitters. According to Neil Summers of Bowhunting Safari Consultants, they saw an increase in US bookings. While it did not offset the losses experienced on international hunts, it did provide some relief.
More hunters hitting the woods in 2020: This turned out to be a fact, and far higher than anticipated. The pandemic, and the social lock down that ensued made outdoor sports an attractive and healthy alternative to being locked up at home. In almost all categories Hunting license sales hit an all-time high, breaking all downward trends in the last five years.
The standouts were in the critical demographic of ‘new recruits: hunting/fishing licenses with males +24%, and new female recruits hitting a remarkable +49% increase. Non-resident license sales took a hit due to travel reluctance and restrictions, and unclear and inconsistent state laws, but those decreases were overshadowed by strong increases in resident license sales across the board.
Of course, if you were hunting public land, or even some private land you likely bumped into more people.
Hunting Industry negatively impacted due to the economy and supply chain disruptions: We got this one completely wrong. According to the sponsors I met with in 2020, they had one of their best years ever. The increase in outdoor sports, such as hunting and shooting, drove strong sales despite the economic downturn. Moultrie and Summit sold out of their popular trail cameras and treestands far earlier than expected. 3-Rivers Archery saw strong sales in traditional arrow and bow building supplies. Despite isolated supply chain shortages, most archery manufacturers had a strong year.
Work from home trends benefit hunters: This turned out to be not only true, but perhaps a long-term shift in work location trends. For jobs that do not require the employee to be physically located in an office location, many employers are rethinking whether being in an office is even necessary. What many companies learned was that employee satisfaction improved, productivity improved, and work-life balance improved.
For hunters who can work from home, this shift has profound implications. You can wrap up the workday at 5PM, put on your Sitka gear, and be in your stand at 5:30. If you are fortunate to have a hunting cabin and can work from there full-time, you can stay there during the hunting season rather than just taking a weeks’ vacation. Most importantly, it allows you the flexibility to live anywhere; so, if you live in a hunting hellhole like NY or NJ, you can sell it and move to Kansas or Kentucky.
Hunting Prediction: 2021?
So instead of looking back, let’s look ahead. These are my predictions for the next 12 months:
As of this writing about 20% of the country have been vaccinated. States like Florida, Texas, and other states (that value liberty) are opening. More importantly, the open state infection rates are basically the same or less than states trying to keep their citizens in perpetual lock-down. This will apply pressure to other states to open. I would not be surprised if all states (except CA, NY, and MI) will be fully open by the fall.
With the US opened, massive pressure will be on Canada to open their borders and resume travel between our two countries. We lost the spring bear season, but I am confident fall hunts will resume – certainly for hunters who can prove they have been vaccinated.
I have been talking with many of my Canada sponsors including Mike’s Outfitting, Adrenaline, Canadian Trophy Quest, and others. They are all saying the same thing; the pandemic was rough on them, but they will survive. And the first hunters back will experience the best hunting ever. The lack of a 2020 hunting season will produce A LOT of 2021 trophies. Most of the 4.5-year-old survivors will be 5.5-year-olds this fall. I booked the first week of Archery with Rob Nye and after seeing the survivor pics from January 2021, I will be crossing the border whether Trudeau likes it or not!
Domestic hunting will go back to normal levels once things open. When Canada opens, the US outfitters will likely see their demand decrease. Price increases enacted during the pandemic will likely remain in place. When schools and working people get back to normal, the license sale increases will go down, but not until 2022. I do not think they will go back to 2019 levels, but certainly some people who bought licenses during the pandemic will not return.
The industry will remain strong, and the isolated supply-chain disruptions will improve. And God willing, things will get back to normal.
It has been a long year for all of us. Hunting kept me sane. I am far more optimistic that this long nightmare is coming to and end. I would say that “we’re not out of the woods yet” but given this audience that would not be applicable.
Stay safe everyone and good luck with your 2021 season.
