How much does archery contribute to the annual deer harvest? Does that look different from one state to the next? And how do crossbow regulations affect what we know about crossbow use?
Those are some of the questions behind new research from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. At the 2027 ATA Archery and Bowhunting Summit, attendees will hear interim findings from the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, conducted by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. The results will be presented before the study’s public release.
The findings offer a closer look at how bowhunting varies across the country. State archery seasons for white-tailed deer differ in timing, length and how they fit alongside firearm seasons. Archery’s share of the annual white-tailed deer harvest ranges from 8% to 64%, depending on the state. That’s a wide gap, and it raises questions about what’s driving those differences.
The research also looks at bowhunter preferences, including the ideal number of female deer to harvest each year, across geographic regions. Crossbow use is part of the study, too. States vary in whether and how they allow crossbows during regular archery seasons, which matters when comparing use. Looking at states with fewer restrictions can provide a clearer picture of crossbow popularity.
For ATA members, these findings offer more than numbers on a page. They add context to what retailers hear from customers and what manufacturers see across the market. And this is a chance to hear the research directly from the people behind it, before the results are shared publicly.
The USFWS presentation is one of several sessions planned for the 2027 ATA Archery and Bowhunting Summit, Jan. 7-8 in Indianapolis during ATA Show Week. The agenda also includes the first public release of the 2027 ATA Bowhunter Study, along with sessions on crossbow participation, public views of hunting and shooting sports, and youth program priorities for the coming year.
The interim NORC findings will be presented Thursday, Jan. 7, at 4:15 p.m. Click here to view the full agenda and registration details.
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