Industry Must Remove Archery’s Participation Barriers

Others, however, want to hunt, but they’re too nervous to tackle it alone. Lauren Duckworth of Georgia is 23, and she’s been interested in bowhunting since age 12 but hasn’t yet tried it.

Duckworth said the men in her family hunt ducks and bowhunt deer. She’s watched them return from North Dakota with game meat and photos documenting their adventures. Each image she saw and wild-game meal she ate stoked her intrigue for bowhunting. She wants to shoot archery, but wants a good mentor.

“I never went with my family because it was always a ‘guy’s trip,’” Duckworth said. “This is a true barrier for many people, specifically girls. I’m not a feminist, but it’s more difficult for women to hunt because of guy trips and having no one to teach them.”

Duckworth said her greatest fear about starting archery is making mistakes, like getting the wrong equipment. She wants a mentor who makes her comfortable while helping and supporting her efforts.

That’s where ATA members and the outdoor industry can help. Cook said industry members can provide newcomers guidance, knowledge and support. He said it’s critical for all industry members to make archery and bowhunting appealing, relevant and valuable. Newcomers need to feel motivated and eager to try it.

“Americans are busy,” Cook said. “We have to compete for people’s time, and make archery fun and enjoyable. If people don’t participate, wildlife conservation is in jeopardy of losing funds, but retailers and manufacturers might also lose their businesses.”

Black thinks the industry recognizes those barriers and tries to overcome them, but change would come more quickly if everyone got on board.

“That’s why I value my work at the Council so much,” Black said. “We strive to bring all those organizations together for the common goal of reducing barriers and promoting hunting. We’re making an impact.”

Black said she opposed hunting most of her life, so she knows it’s possible to change nonhunters’ minds and behaviors. She said science, education and communication help newcomers understand and embrace hunting.

To that end, let’s review some tips for introducing newcomers to archery and bowhunting.

Communicate

Did you know 84% of Americans approve of hunting for meat, according to the 2019 National Shooting Sports Foundation report on attitudes toward hunting, fishing, trapping and sport shooting? Meanwhile, only 4% of Americans 18 or older bowhunted in 2015, according to a recent Archery Trade Association survey.

That means the U.S. has millions of potentials bowhunters, but we need to find them among our many friends, customers, coworkers and family members. Some are likely interested in hunting, but afraid to ask for help or start the adventure alone. When finding someone who’s interested, point them to archery shops, bowhunting clubs or certified programs; or offer to help them get started.

Be a Mentor

Bowhunting is exciting, but the more support beginners receive, the more likely they’ll stick with it. Mentors can guide and encourage newcomers through hands-on learning to feel confident shooting, and making smart, ethical decisions.

Mentors teach skills, answer questions, offer advice, and serve as positive friends and role models. Mentoring can be as fun, rewarding and sustainable as hunting. Don’t wait. To share your love of bowhunting, become a mentor.