According to National Shooting Sports Foundation's (NSSF) Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) more than 1,000 girls in elementary through high school competed in 2006, a more than 50 percent jump from 2005 and a 178 percent increase from 2004.
According to an Associated Press article (August 27, 2006) more than 7,000 students from fifth through 12th grade participate in trap, skeet and sporting clay activities.
A survey released by the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) suggests that 72 percent more women are hunting with firearms today than just five years ago. And 50 percent more women are now target shooting. Specific NSGA findings on female participation from 2001 through 2005:
hunting with firearms, up 72 percent
hunting with bow and arrow, up 176 percent
overall (net) hunting, up 75 percent
target shooting with rifle, up 53 percent
target shooting with shotgun, up 16 percent
target shooting with handgun, up 33 percent
target shooting with air gun, up 55 percent
overall (net) target shooting, up 50 percent
more than 3 million women now hunt and over 5 million women now enjoy shooting
women account for roughly 15 percent of the shooting, hunting and firearms marketplace
According to the NSSF, 2.4 million American women of all ages hunted in 2004, compared with 2 million in 1997; the number taking part in shotgun sports was up 11%, to 1.3 million.
A survey commissioned by the National Wild Turkey Federation claims that 95% of women approve of women going hunting and 15% have owned a hunting license.
Women are expected to spend at least $285 million this year in firearm sales alone.
According to ABC News (Dec. 5, 2006) the sport of hunting generates $21 billion per year and women participating in the sport has increased 72 percent over the last five years.
