BLAZE Magazine Special Edition 2006-2016 | Page 53

A study of women’s activities, perceptions,
purchases, and related media consumption
related to fishing, shooting and hunting.
Introduction and Background
According to the recent release of the 2011 Fish and Wildlife
Service’s National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated
Recreation1 (National Survey), women make up more than one-
quarter of anglers. While the proportion of hunters who are women
is smaller relative to fishing, the percentage of female hunters has
steadily risen in recent years (Figure 1).
Freshwater Fishing Activities
The many female (44%) freshwater anglers pursued catfish while the
majority of male angler pursued largemouth or spotted bass (Figure
4). A greater percentage of female freshwater anglers indicate that
they pursue any fish that bites, relative to male freshwater anglers.
And, more than one-quarter of anglers (female 25% and male 31%)
pursue trout.
When one considers the type of activities in which sportswomen
participate, fishing (and not hunting) has an overwhelming majority
(Figure 2). After a drop in overall participation in 2006, the number
women who fish and/or hunt rebounded to 2001 levels by 2011. An
interesting finding is that sportswomen in 2011 were participating in
both hunting and fishing considerably more than they had in the past
decade. This crossover of activities is important to note. Using our
panel surveys, we are able to dig deeper to explore the activities of
these women, what they are purchasing, and the outdoor media they
consume. Women, in general, participate fewer days in fishing and
hunting per year than men.
Freshwater Fishing Lures and Baits
Figure 5 reports the most popular fishing lure and bait categories
used by freshwater anglers. A strong majority of both female (70%)
and male (82%) freshwater anglers utilize artificial bait to freshwater
fish. The second most popular method is to use live bait (female 61%)
and male (55%).
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SPECIAL EDITION 2006-2016 |
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